HERTZ COMMUNITY
volunteer opportunities
The Hertz Foundation thrives because of the incredible contributions of our dedicated volunteers. By sharing your time and talent, you play a vital role in fostering our vibrant community of fellows and advancing our mission. Your commitment helps us provide unparalleled support to our fellows, from their academic journeys to their professional careers.
I’m ready to volunteerReady to Volunteer?
We hope you’ll consider volunteering your time and talent to strengthen the Hertz community. Please submit the form to express your interest, and we’ll be in touch to talk through the right opportunity, including the support available and what to expect in terms of time. Need more information? Read an overview of each role below.
Support Fundraising and Partnerships
Help ensure the Hertz Foundation has the resources and partnerships it needs to support Fellows for generations to come.
Provides guidance and thought leadership during major campaigns, including reviewing materials and helping recognize donors. Involves a handful of virtual meetings a year, with occasional input in between.
Advises on annual giving strategy and can help as a letter signer or ambassador for Hertz Fund campaigns, directly fueling the resources that support Fellows every year. A flexible commitment — mostly brief, periodic input, with occasional ad hoc opportunities.
Shares testimonials and helps personalize outreach that thanks donors and shows the impact of their support. A low-lift way to give back, often just a few minutes to a few hours a year.
Identifies and helps build partnerships that expand professional development opportunities, sponsorships, and visibility for the Hertz community. Involves a handful of virtual meetings throughout the year, plus some work in between.
Help Shape Our Core Programs
Shape the flagship experiences that bring the Hertz community together.
Helps select speakers and plan the annual Summer Workshop, our signature event. Expect roughly an hour a month for most of the year, building toward a few intensive days on-site.
Plans and runs one of two annual regional retreats for in-school and early-career Fellows, shaping a formative experience for our newest Fellows. A few hours a month during the planning season, plus hosting on-site.
Organizes smaller convenings on specific topics of interest to Fellows and the broader community. Time commitment varies by role, from a focused few hours a week while planning, to a lighter advisory role.
Share Your Expertise Through Speaking
Share your knowledge with the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Presents on your work or career, or moderates a discussion, at a Hertz program such as Summer Workshop, a Topical Forum, a Retreat, or Innovation Hour (our virtual speaker series). A meaningful way to inspire Fellows and grow your own visibility. Typically includes a prep session and the event itself.
Strengthen Community at a Personal Scale
Build close, lasting connections in your local region or with the broader Hertz community.
Serves as the local point of contact for Fellows in a specific region, helping plan get-togethers, welcoming new Fellows, and connecting with Fellows passing through. A flexible role you can shape to your schedule, from a few hours to a few dozen a year.
Hosts one (or more) informal gathering for Hertz community members in your area, from a happy hour to a group outing. A lightweight way to build community, and typically just a few hours to plan and host.
Helps bring together your fellowship cohort (5, 10, or 15 years out) at Summer Workshop, driving registration and organizing meetups on-site. A concentrated commitment in the weeks leading up to Summer Workshop, plus time together once you’re there.
Help Select and Develop Fellows
Put your expertise to work helping choose the next generation of Fellows, and supporting the ones we already have.
Supports the Fellowship selection process through one of several distinct roles, from reviewing applications (Pre-Selector) to interviewing candidates (Interviewers – Round 1 and Round 2), playing a direct role in shaping the next generation of Fellows. Time commitment is concentrated in the fall and winter selection season, and varies by role.
Offers guidance and support to in-school and early-career Fellows through a range of formats — from peer mentoring and early-career support for recent graduates, to on-demand mentoring for a specific need or entrepreneurship guidance. Involves a handful of check-ins over the course of a year, with commitments ranging from a single conversation to two years.
Reviews a doctoral thesis nominated for the Hertz Thesis Prize, directly recognizing the field’s best emerging research. A once-a-year commitment of several hours.
Chris Loose Named Board Member and Council Chair
Hertz Fellow Chris Loose works closely with volunteers who oversee the Hertz Fellowship’s renowned selection process, administer awards and prizes to Hertz Fellows, and facilitate connection, collaboration and mentoring within the Hertz community through events such as the annual Hertz Summer Workshop.
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