When Kshitij Meshram, or “K” as we call him, enters a classroom, he doesn’t see future engineers, or non-engineers. He sees potential. He’s looking for spark.

A site Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) leader at Cummins in Kentucky and a master’s student at Purdue University, Kshitij has already facilitated eight STEM workshops with EWB-USA. Each one, he says, is an opportunity to “give back to Mother Earth” and help students understand that engineering isn’t about perfection—it’s about curiosity, courage, and the desire to make life better for others.

“If you can plant a seed of interest in engineering in just one student’s mind, it will grow into a tree and bear fruit someday.” — Kshitij Meshram

Growing Up With Uneven Access, and Choosing to Give Back

Kshitij grew up in India, where access to STEM education often depended on where you lived and what resources you had. After earning his civil engineering degree and spending three years working for a mining conglomerate, he came to the United States to pursue his master’s degree. But even as he advanced professionally, he wanted to make sure he never lost sight of his purpose.

But behind every milestone, he carried a purpose much larger than himself.

“If you knew how many people win when I win, you’d understand that my ambition was never about greed, it was about lifting others with me.”

That philosophy is what drew him to EWB-USA’s STEM volunteer program designed specifically for professionals who may not be able to travel internationally but still want to mentor the next generation of engineers.

When he told his family, they weren’t sure what volunteering had to do with engineering careers. Now, they’re proud.

“They appreciate that I’m doing something meaningful beyond just chasing money or leisure,” he said.

“They realized I’m not just chasing success. I’m trying to create it for others.”

A Moment He’ll Never Forget

During one recent workshop at a community college, Kshitij noticed a shy student sitting quietly in the back. She didn’t speak during the opening discussions.

But as the hands-on activity began (building and testing a water filtration system) something shifted. Questions turned into ideas. Ideas turned into confidence.

By the end of the workshop, she wasn’t just participating, she was leading the explanation of how filtration systems work to her peers.

“That moment stuck with me,” Kshitij said. “It reminded me why representation matters. Sometimes students just need to see someone who looks like them, or someone who believes they belong.”

Building Community: One Workshop, One Connection at a Time

Beyond inspiring students, EWB-USA STEM workshops have helped Kshitij connect with other professionals across the country.

Thanks to EWB-USA, he met three fellow volunteers, Eric, Mike and Yatish, who continue to exchange engineering ideas and encouragement with him. In a surprise twist, Kshitij discovered that Yatish once worked with an alumnus from his own undergraduate university in India.

“Volunteering doesn’t just create engineers, it creates community, across states and across continents.”

His Message to Potential Volunteers: “You Don’t Need a Degree to Have an Engineer’s Heart.”

Kshitij knows many professionals hesitate to volunteer because they feel they aren’t “engineer enough.”

His advice?

“Engineering isn’t about being perfect at math or science. It’s about being curious and wanting to solve problems that matter. If you love creating, fixing, imagining, or simply uplifting others, you already belong in engineering.”

EWB-USA’s STEM program welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds, people who love to create, fix, explain, or encourage. The most important ingredient isn’t technical skill, it’s compassion.

“When you volunteer, you’re not just teaching,” he said. “You’re growing as a person. And if you can inspire even one student, that impact will multiply.”

This Year, You Can Help Grow the Next Generation of Humanitarian Engineers

EWB-USA’s end-of-year campaign, Building Tomorrow Together, celebrates volunteers like Kshitij who are inspiring resilient, community-minded leaders across the U.S. and around the world.

Your donation today powers: