"Kind," "supportive," "smart," and "resilient" are just a few of the words Next Engineers participants have used to describe volunteers from GE Aerospace and GE Vernova who have dedicated their time and energy to coaching and inspiring Next Engineers students.
In 2024, Next Engineers volunteers contributed over 4,000 hours of their time talking with students about their day-to-day work, inspiring students with personal stories, and working alongside students on their design projects. As one Engineering Academy student shared, the volunteers "take the time to understand how they can help us."
Volunteers from Global Discovery sites in Bohemia, NY, Lynn, MA, McAllen, TX, Peebles, OH, West Jefferson, NC, U.S., and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Querétaro, México also got in on the action with 144 volunteer hours, bringing team-based, hands-on design challenges to 13-14 year olds around the world. Whether they're learning about civil engineering as they build towers and bridges, or robotics as they develop code languages, or electrical engineering as they design circuits made out of fruit, Next Engineers increases students' awareness of new possibilities. Volunteers share their passion and expertise with young people to inspire the next generation of engineers - and show them that anyone can pursue engineering careers!
In 2024 alone, Next Engineers volunteers reached nearly 7,500 unique learners. The support our volunteers share truly makes a difference: "They have encouraged me to pursue my dreams in engineering," one student shared. Meanwhile, volunteers overwhelming report having a "very positive" experience with Next Engineers, feeling motivated, inspired, and fulfilled.
One volunteer shared, "Volunteering helped me gain confidence. It gave me a chance to try something new and build a real sense of achievement."
Thank you to all of our GE Aerospace and GE Vernova Volunteers who have taken the time to inspire young people through Next Engineers! You are building the next generation of engineers!
Check out the full infographic here.
