A look inside of the Institute for Industrial Engineers (IIE) Club

Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) CLUB
Shivani Chand
President
April 09, 2015

Institute of Industrial Engineers or IIE is the global association of productivity and efficiency professionals specializing in industrial engineering, healthcare, ergonomics and other related professions. The mission of IIE is to advance engineering student’s professional experience through networking, training and knowledge sharing. IIE has a chapter here at CSU East Bay. The student organization is comprised of engineering majors dedicated to peer improvement and growth. I interviewed Shivani Chand, the president, about IIE and her role as president.

Q: What type of people does the organization work with?
A: Professionals, company representatives, advisors, professors, alumnus, and engineering students from all around The United States.

Q: What events does this organization do?
A: Welcome Day, Transitional Job Panels, Guest Speaker Events, Resume Building, Movie Nights, Regional Conferences, Weekly meetings, and Company Tours (i.e. Tesla Tour).

Q: How do you get others to become involved?
A: We make sure that we can get the word out as much as possible. We advertise about our events via Facebook pages: CSUEB Engineering and Institute of Industrial Engineers CSUEB
We also speak about the benefits of being in the club in freshman engineering courses all year long.

Q: How often do you hold meetings?
A: We hold weekly meetings. Every Friday from 1-2 pm, VBT 223

Q: How many big events do you hold each year?
A: At least 2 big events per year

Q: What is the importance of this organization?
A: The essence of The Institute of Industrial Engineering Organization is for engineering students to get involved and network. It is meant for students to gain experience that would help guide them in college and with their careers. Being a part of this organization as a member or even taking on a role will convey responsibility and accountability. Furthermore, this an academic organization meaning it is focused on education and knowledge, it is there for students to enjoy their academic experiences more!

Q: How did this team come together this season?
A: This quarter has been one of the toughest because of all of the officers’ schedules. A majority of the officers are seniors; therefore they are doing their best to try to fit in time for the events and weekly meetings. However, so far we have maintained a good communication and connection with one another.

Q: How long have you been in this organization?
A: Currently I am the president of the organization “Institute of Industrial Engineers” CSUEB Student Chapter and I have been a member of this organization for 4 years

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Q: Has your role changed since you’ve been here?
A: I joined the club as a regular member, and was given the role as a webmaster/ historian for the club during my freshman year of college. Since then I ran for Vice President in my junior year, and currently I am the president of the club.

Q: Were you involved in any other organization before joining this one?
A: Yes, I was involved in SHPE – Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, CSUEB student chapter. I heard about IIE through SHPE members

Q: What made you interested in being a part of this specific organization?
A: I became interested in this specific organization because it is more focused on industrial engineering rather than engineering as a whole. They held specific conferences to network with fellow industrial engineers from all around the world

Q: What did you have to do to obtain your position?
A: ·   Hold strategic planning meeting to determine chapter goals, objectives and strategies
·      Create (with input from officers) annual Chapter Plan document and coordinate activities of all other officers
·      Plan and run monthly board meetings
·      Develop, assist, motivate, and recognize all other officers
·      Coordinate election of officers for next year
·     Train President-elect turn over all records and documents
·      Create (with input from Board) annual Chapter Plan document and communicate to board, members, and Region Vice                    President (RVP).
·      Maintain ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all chapter requirements are met and that the      chapter is operated                   according to the specifications of the IIE and chapter
·      Constitution & By-laws Serve as primary point of contact with IIE leadership, Headquarters staff, and all outside companies,           organizations, and individuals.
·      Process mail from Headquarters and forward to appropriate board members
·      Attend Leadership Training either in Region or at annual conference

Q: What is your favorite part of this position?
A: My favorite part of this position is to be able execute ideas and events and make students network and bring themselves out. Students get their future jobs by networking, and knowing that I made a difference in someone’s life by simply assisting them by holding events where they can mingle, learn, and meeting companies feels great!

Q: What attracted you to this role?
A: I ran for president because I noticed the advisors were upset that the previous year the President did not hold any events for this club, which made me want to stand up and take the role and make the department proud! I also took on this role, because taking out time and being involved in an academic based organization conveys leadership in a person’s resume. Companies tend to look for academic involvement.

Q: What kind specific habits and practices do you have? How do you apply them?
A: After every meeting we debrief and log those down for future reference, we call them meeting templates. Also at the end of every meeting I tend to establishing due dates and deadlines, this has become a habit of mine to know what we should focus on for time being and give ourselves a deadline to meet.

Q: What’s the best part of the next thing you’re doing?
A: NETWORKING!! The next event we are holding is a Transitioning to the Professional Environment Panel, where Engineering Alumnus and professionals from AMAZON, UPS, NUDESKINCARE, THERM-X, BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS, and UC DAVIS MPB will be coming to give students their insight and experiences about post-graduating experiences. They will also advice about what companies looks for in employees. This will be a great opportunity for professors and students to network and learn!

By interviewing Shivani Chand I have learned the importance of this student organization and what it does for CSU East Bay’s engineering majors. If you are interested in IIE and would like to learn more about this student organization visit IIE’s Facebook page: Institute of Industrial Engineers Facebook page