Unlocking Career Growth for Black Young Professionals through Standards
Unlocking Career Growth for Black Young Professionals through Standards
As more businesses recognise the importance of nurturing and retaining young, diverse talent for organisational success, this BSI article explores the role of standards in society, and why having diverse young voices involved is essential to future proofing standards. The article will also delve into the range of career enhancing benefits of getting involved for Young Professionals following last year’s launch of the first BSI Young Professionals Exchange - a brand-new event from BSI aimed at supporting Young Professionals (YPs) career development and involvement in standards, held in partnership with BYP.
How can standards support YPs career development goals?
There are many benefits of getting involved in standards both for businesses and Young Professionals. Today’s young talent look for opportunities to enhance their professional profile and a platform to have their say on key societal issues. It is vital for businesses to demonstrate that they can play a key role in supporting individuals on this journey. Below are just some of the benefits for YPs of getting involved in standards:
- Opportunity to help make the world a better place and have your say in shaping standards at the national and international level
- Ensure the relevant voices are sitting at the table when standards are being developed
- Develop key skills such as communicating with impact, consensus building and negotiating
- Opportunity to lead the conversation at BSI events through session hosting, exhibiting and being a panellist
- Be part of the BSI YP network - a youth led standards community
What are standards and why do they exist?
Standards impact us all every day, often in ways we never notice! Essentially, they exist to provide guidelines, recommendations, specifications, or requirements in how to do something in the best way possible. From designing a product, building a house, harvesting the food we eat or even making whiskey, standards help to shape a fairer, more sustainable future and help tackle global issues. Standards cover a variety of areas, from modern slavery, AI regulation, net zero and mental health and wellbeing in the workplace and can equip businesses with the knowledge to improve quality, safety, and sustainability. Organisational benefits of implementing standards include growth, market access, improvements to internal business processes and cost savings.
As the UK’s National Standards Body, BSI is responsible for developing and shaping standards in the areas of innovation, digital, sustainability and all things trust and represents the UK’s interest in the international standards bodies through the standards development process, bringing together over 13,000 experts from government, academia, and industry to develop standards that address future and current business needs. These experts are our Committee Members.
Standards play a crucial role in driving positive change and it is essential to involve a diverse range of voices in the standardisation process. A powerful example of this is in the design of medical devices. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a study by The Economist highlighted how pulse oximeter devices used to measure blood oxygen levels, often gave inaccurate readings for people with darker skin tones. In some cases, these devices overestimated oxygen levels, resulting in patients being denied critical care. This highlights a broader issue that when products, services, and systems are not developed and tested amongst diverse individuals, they can sometimes unintentionally exclude or harm. Inclusive participation in standards development helps ensure that solutions work equitably for all intended users.
Young Professionals - the next generation of standards makers
At BSI we recognise that having young, diverse voices involved in shaping standards is crucial to ensure standards continue to create change for good. Put simply, Young Professionals are the future of standards development. Without the innovative skills and relevant expertise YPs contribute, standards simply cannot continue to remain relevant and beneficial for the end user, now and in years to come. Through a holistic approach to YP engagement, BSI is leading the way in fostering the next generation of standards makers. And we want you to get involved!
As part of these efforts, 2024 saw the launch of the BSI Young Professionals Exchange – a brand new in person event designed by, with and for YPs. The event, which took place at the Barbican Centre in London on 20 November, provided an opportunity for YPs to network with other individuals, learn from more experienced members of the standards community and discover more about how standards can provide career development opportunities, as well as how YPs can help shape a better future through standards. The programme featured an inspiring keynote presentation from Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock, interactive bitesize learning and an invaluable opportunity for delegates to grow their professional network. BSI was proud to have BYP Network as our key sponsor and we were delighted to have BYP Founder, Kike Oniwinde Agoro feature on the main stage as a panellist.
Watch the 2024 BSI YP Exchange 2024 highlights reel
BSI Young Professionals Network – A youth led standards community
Established in 2024, the BSI YP Network aims to amplify all young voices in standards through creating a community of like-minded individuals looking to enhance their career development through engaging with BSI and standards. Open to YPs aged 18-35 across all sectors, the network acts as the main YP standards information hub, keeping members up to date with relevant news, events and career development opportunities via the quarterly YP newsletter. Some of you may already be part of the network, and we encourage anyone interested in developing your career, growing your network and shaping societal good through standards to get involved.
Sign up to the BSI Young Professionals Network
Hear from Yussuf, a young black Standards Maker, on his journey into the world of standards.
How I became a standards maker
Yussuf Shoyoye, Standards Engineer, SKA Observatory.
