Practical principles for building a meaningful career
Home / Activities & Events / IEEE SIGHT Session: Key Insights to Career Management
IEEE SIGHT HU Student Branch conducted an exclusive online session titled “Key Insights to Career Management” on June 27, 2026, via WebEx in collaboration with the IEEE SIGHT Jordan Section. The session explored 12 essential principles of career management and encouraged participants to align changing priorities and individual career goals with the objectives of the organizations they serve.
John D. McDonald, P.E., is the Founder and CEO of JDM Associates and a Life Fellow of IEEE with 55 years of membership. His professional and volunteer leadership experience includes serving as President of the IEEE Power & Energy Society, Chair of the IEEE PES Substations Committee, Director of IEEE Division VII, and a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
The session connected career development with continuous learning, a positive attitude, and delivering value at work. Drawing from his own career journey and lessons from his first job, the speaker encouraged participants to build habits that support long-term growth and meaningful professional contribution.
Participants explored the role of mentors, executive sponsors, professional networks, and strong working relationships. The discussion highlighted how guidance, collaboration, and leadership opportunities can help people navigate career decisions and grow their impact over time.
The session examined the balance between internal responsibilities and external industry awareness, the value of international experience, and the importance of maintaining a healthy relationship between work, family, and personal life. It also addressed using professional platforms such as LinkedIn to build a credible profile and expand industry connections.
John D. McDonald discussed choosing the right amount of time to remain in a role so that professionals can gain experience, build relationships, and create meaningful impact. He also shared leadership principles for building volunteer organizations, including encouraging collaboration, recognizing achievements, and creating strong communities.
The session concluded with questions from participants and practical advice about continued learning, networking, and investing in professional development. By bringing experienced IEEE leadership together with student learners, IEEE SIGHT created a focused conversation about turning career goals into a purposeful and sustainable path.
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