We have all heard students and professors tell us to go to conferences. But it can feel overwhelming to hear that when you are not completely sure what that means. What conference? Which would be most beneficial for me? Why should I go? What will I do when I get there? I won’t know anyone. Industry conferences become a great platform to provide the opportunity to network and learn more about your field of interest.
Three key reasons for you to attend a conference as a WSU student:
1) To network! The main reason attendees go to conferences is to expand their networks. You can make connections with industry peers at these conferences and that can open doors you might have not anticipated. Conferences allow people with the same professional interest to meet and exchange ideas, learn new things, make new connections, and renew old connections.
2) Expand your knowledge! Most conferences have detailed itineraries allowing you to select the keynote and technical talks that most interest you. You can attend talks about a topic you are familiar with, allowing yourself to hear a new perspective that can help you solve your problems, or it might be topics you have always wondered about and can ask questions to learn more. The idea here is you can always learn something from conferences.
3) Assisted Funding! Many times, you can join a WSU or Voiland College club where club funds can help pay for the conference fee or travel expenses. If you are doing research for a faculty member, you can ask for recommendations on the conferences that would most benefit their work and if there is a possibility that they will help alleviate the financial burden to attend.
Which conferences are most beneficial for me to attend?
Below is a list of conferences available in your field! More can be found with quick google searches.
Materials Science Engineering
Material Science & Nanotechnology https://materialscience.prideconferences.com/
Civil Engineering
American Society of Civil Engineering ASCE https://www.asce.org/conferences/
Mechanical Engineering
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASME https://www.asme.org/conferences-events
Electrical Engineering
Computing and Communication Workshop and Conference IEEE CCWC https://ieee-ccwc.org/
Computer Science & Engineering
International Conference on Design and Evaluation of Processor Systems ICDEPS https://waset.org/design-and-evaluation-of-processor-systems-conference-in-april-2021-in-new-york
Chemical Engineering
The Global Home of Chemical Engineers AlChE https://www.aiche.org/conferences-event
Bioengineering
Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Meeting https://www.bmes.org/annualmeeting
School of Design:
Architecture
The International Conference on Civil and Architectural Engineering ICCAE http://www.icrcae.com/
Landscape Architecture
American Society of Landscape Architects ASLA https://www.asla.org/conferencesforlas.aspx
Interior Design
International Conference on Interior Design and Interior Decoration ICIDID https://waset.org/interior-design-and-interior-decoration-conference-in-january-2021-in-new-york
Construction Management
Construction management CMAA https://www.cmaanet.org/conferences