Resources & Navigating the Annual Meeting for Students & Early Careerists

Read on below for information on upcoming events, deadlines and news for both students and early careerists. Each item will be marked with an S (for student), EC (for early careerist), or both.

Tweet the Meeting (S, EC)

If you’d like to be more involved during the conference and share information with fellow attendees, we’re encouraging attendees to use Twitter to tweet noteworthy sessions, questions, resources, and information on talks you’re presenting.

We have started to compile a list of attendees and if you’d like to be included, just tweet using the #STLE2013 hashtag, or email us your Twitter handle. And stop by the Membership Booth to see our live Twitter wall, where we’ll display #STLE2013 tweets. Don’t forget to follow @STLE_Tribology for news, information and resources direct from STLE!

 

2013 Annual Meeting Networking Event (S, EC)



Click here for more photos from 2012



This year’s Early Careerist Networking Event will be held at Drive – the ping pong social club, on Sunday, May 5, from 7-10 pm. Drive is a quick walk or PeopleMover ride from the Renaissance Center. Admission is FREE for all you students and early careerists and includes a chance to show off your ping pong skills, a drink ticket and sweets, and a great opportunity to network with some of STLE’s well-known members! RSVP to ensure space by April 19. Send your RSVP to Kara Sniegowski at ksniegowski@stle.org, or call us at (847) 825-5536.

[Click here] to visit Drive’s website

[Click here] to get information on the PeopleMover

Like us on Facebook or join our LinkedIn group to receive updates on this event

2 Days Left to Apply for Annual Meeting Housing Award (S)

The Young Tribologists Committee is sponsoring the annual Housing Award for our conference coming up in May. Applications are due March 30, so be sure to get yours in to see if you can get a free hotel stay while at the 2013 Annual Meeting!

[Click here] for details and to apply

Scholarships Available (S)

Our local sections – including Central Illinois and Philadelphia – are currently offering scholarships to students working in the field of lubrication and tribology. Deadlines are April 1 and May 1. Don’t miss your chance – apply today!

[Click here] for details and to apply

Upcoming Webinar Series (S, EC)

Starting this year, we’ll be offering a series of FREE webinars on topics relevant to students and early careerists to help you get ahead in your career. The first webinar has been scheduled, with more topics to come. See below for details and to register. Future topics will include: How to Present Your Work, Successful Grant Writing as well as job-search related topics. If you’d like to make a suggestion, contact Kara Sniegowski.

• 4/8: Best Practices for Presenting Your Poster | REGISTER
• 4/15: Getting Published | REGISTER
• 4/16: Preview/Demo the New Annual Meeting App | REGISTER

To receive information on the webinar series, the networking event, scholarships and awards, you’ll have to mark your interest in your online profile. Simply log in at www.stle.org, click to edit your Demographic information and choose “Early Careerist” as an interest area. You’ll then start receiving information on articles, events and resources catered to you.

#IJTC2012: Student & Young Professional Networking Event to be held at the Wynkoop Brewing Company

This year, we'll be hosting the first Student & Young Professional Networking Event at the IJTC and we invite you to join us! This event is designed for those who are just starting out in the field (less than 5 years in industry) or for those who are finishing up work on their degree. This event is designed with you in mind - giving you an opportunity to meet and mingle with your peers before the conference starts and allow you to meet some key STLE members. Plus, you get to have a little fun along the way!

The event will take place at a local" brew pub" (brewing company and pub), which is a short 10 minute walk from the Westin. We wanted to give you a true taste of Denver, and since there are more than 100 breweries and brewpubs in Colorado, we figured this would be the right place.

Date/Time: Sunday, October 7, 7-10 p.m.
Location: Wynkoop Brewing Company (follow @Wynkoop, or Like them on FB) - we'll meet in the hotel lobby and walk over together (or you can get there on your own and meet us at 1634 18th Street).
Includes: appetizers, dessert and a drink (more details TBA)
Cost: FREE!  (must RSVP)

Watch the video below to get a preview of the location and the tour we'll get with one of their Brewmasters! In addition to the brewery tour, we'll have trivia and pool tables you can use at your leisure.



Trivia question: Based on the number of breweries per capita in the U.S., where does Colorado rank? (Answer: 2nd). If you're not a Colorado/Denver buff, no worries. We'll have a mix of questions - tribology-related, pop culture, location-based and more...you'll just have to attend to see what we come up with!

We hope to see you there!

If you are interested in joining us for this event, you must RSVP by September 14 to Kara Sniegowski. If you have any questions, you can email or give us a call. Note: you can follow event details via the hashtag #IJTC2012, or by following STLE.

Planning Your Trip to Denver for #IJTC2012

A conference typically involves a lot of planning, both on the part of the organizers and the attendees. Below are some tips you can use to start getting ready for #IJTC2012.

Preparing

• What to pack in your suitcase: try this list to make sure you remember everything!
• Scoping out the weather: typically, in October, the average high is in the mid-60s, and the average low is in the mid-30s, so it will be a little chilly. Bear in mind that the first snowfall happens sometime in October. Plus, you have to remember you're in a hotel - you should always have a sweater/cardigan on hand, or dress in layers.
• Traveling: This travel guide via WikiTravel lists a great number of options, and this post via Visit Denver are a great help for getting around once you've arrived. If you're flying, you'll be flying into DEN (Denver, Colorado). This airport has lots of options on flight times and destinations. If you're driving, be sure to map out your trip with directions right to the Westin Downtown (1672 Lawrence St., Denver, CO 80202). You can also look up driving directions from Visit Denver.
• What to wear: generally, we want you to feel comfortable while attending. You may feel more comfortable wearing business casual or business professional attire when you are presenting or for meetings with other attendees, but the typical dress code is casual or business casual.
• Creating your conference plan-of-attack: check out the Preliminary Program Guide and find sessions of interest. Then, create a spreadsheet or itinerary that maps out where you'll be each day and when (include the room numbers, floor and all other details you may need). It helps you get a handle on all the events that happen at the conference.
• Connecting with other attendees: check the attendee list once it's posted, and reach out to all those you think might be interested in similar topics. Also, consider becoming a featured member, and take a look at those already posted and compare to the attendee list, so you can get to know them before you meet.
• What to pack in your bag for sessions (i.e. your conference kit): business cards; your phone (on silent, of course), gum, granola bars, water bottle, laptop/iPad and charger, writing pad/folio and pen/pencil.
• Updates: be sure to follow the conference hashtag on Twitter #IJTC2012 for any news, room changes, meeting notices, and more. It's a great way to get accurate, updated information quickly! Plus, you can use it as a way of taking notes while you're on site and share great sessions with others, so they can pop in to the presentation or discuss after it's concluded.
• First time attending a conference? Check out our list of tips.   

What are your tips for getting ready for a conference? What are you looking forward to at this year's IJTC?

Two Perspectives on Attending #STLE2012

In a recent interview, we talked to two STLE members - one a student and the other a young professional about their past attendance at STLE Annual Meetings, and their advice for others looking to attend too.
Rachel Colbert, STLE Student Member
How did you first decide to attend the STLE Annual Meeting? I got involved in STLE initially through my advisor. He highly encouraged everyone working in the laboratory to attend STLE. The first meeting I attended I presented a poster, but since then have participated in both the podium and poster presentations.

What were your expectations prior to attending that first meeting? I was not sure what to expect for my first meeting other than being excited for the Berries and Cream Social.

What did you think of the poster competition? Are you presenting this year? I think that the student poster competition is a great way to start to get involved in the meeting. The years I have participated, I have found it to be a way to network with both professionals who were also interested in my research as well as the other student presenters around me. I have been able to make contacts and friends across the country and world. I also found that the poster presentations are a little more informal than the talks which has provided me a chance to have in depth conversations with people about my work which to some extent has helped shape my research and provided me with job/internship opportunities.

What did you think of the Student/Young Professional networking event? It was quite fun last year. There was not a huge turn out, but everyone who did attend had a great time. It's yet another way to network in the field but in a more informal setting.
STLE Note: This year's event promises to be even better! We will have key STLE members - including incoming President Jerry Byers, Young Tribologist Committee members, young professionals and students. It will be a great mix of people leading to great discussions and contacts you can utilize after the meeting. Click here for more details - it will happen on Tuesday, May 8, from 7:30-10:30 at Flamingo Bowl. Share this information with your colleagues and encourage them to attend (with an RSVP of course!).

Do you have any advice for those presenting this year? Practice, but don't memorize. Knowing the presentation in and out and presenting in front of my lab mates has helped get me ready for questions as well as know that when my nerves kick in I will still have a general idea of what I want to say.

What recommendations do you have for a first time attendee (things to do or see, people to meet, etc.)? Attend the welcome reception and any other social events, but when you do make sure to converse with people outside of your lab or normal social group. It's a great way to make professional contacts in the field. Also make sure to bring business cards. It's the easiest way to exchange information. When you receive someone's business card, write on the back how you met them and what you discussed so you will remember by the time you get back home. Try and plan out what talks you would like to attend in advance, but be flexible with your schedule. My last recommendation is when attending talks, attempt to come up with at least one thoughtful question to ask the presenter. Even if you are too nervous to ask during the session, you can ask them during the next break. This provides an ice breaker and a way to meet some of the top researchers in the field.

David Burris, STLE Member, University of Delaware
How did you first decide to attend the meeting? I had done undergraduate research and the work was accepted for a podium presentation.

What were your first impressions? I remember being impressed by the variety of research present at the annual meeting. The type of work that we were doing in the lab was only a very small fraction of the breadth of work by the community.

What was the top thing you took away from the meeting? As an undergraduate, the top thing to me was traveling (via van) from Florida to NYC. I had never been to NY and this was quite an experience for me. However, I remember being inspired and getting a lot of new ideas about the directions my research would take. Since this first meeting, the number one take away from this meeting is re-invigoration and inspiration for new studies.

What would you say to convince others to go? This is by far the best, most efficient way to learn about the current standing and future directions of tribology research. It is an essential yearly trip for the aspiring researcher.

Now that you’ve attended a few meetings, what makes you come back every year? Going to the annual meeting really helps me stay current, identify emerging trends, and choose my paths forward in different areas of research I am involved in.

How do you meet new people? What if you don't know anyone at the meeting? Asking someone a thoughtful question about their research presentation or abstract is an excellent way to break the ice of a cold introduction.

What are your recommendations for making the transition from student to young professional? Get involved. Participating in the business meetings for the technical tracks is a good starting point. You will naturally meet and work with professionals with common research interests. The progression from student to profession is a natural one for those who get involved.

If you are a student or young professional, be sure to check out all our resources for #STLE2012:

• Overview of Events, Resources, etc.


• Tips for First Time Attendees


• Student Poster Presentation Interviews - 2 more perspectives from the 2011 IJTC


• Student & Young Professional Networking Event - held at the Flamingo Bowl, Tuesday, May 8, 7:30-10:30 p.m. RSVP today so you can attend!


• FREE Webinar on Getting the Most from Your Attendance at #STLE2012 Register

#STLE2012 Tips for First Timers

#STLE2012 kicks off in about six weeks, and I wanted to share some tips for first-time attendees.

• Go with a purpose. Whether you want to meet new people and network, find a solution to a problem encountered at work, or glean best practices from your colleagues, have a goal in mind and try to achieve it every day.


• Have a schedule, but be flexible. Draft a game plan for the week on the drive or plane ride, using the preliminary program guide as a reference. If you're traveling with a group or have a group of similarly minded individuals, divide up your time accordingly so you can see the most and share/compare notes after the session or when you get back to the office. If you find a given session isn't what you thought it'd be, make sure to have a second option. Don't be afraid to "vote with your feet." We know you want to get something out of every session - that's what we want too! Finally, don't overschedule yourself. It's easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of technical sessions (over 350!) and other events, but realize that you won't be able to attend everything you want.


• Introduce yourself to as many people as possible. Don't just stick with your co-workers (they can be your crutch to avoid meeting new people or trying new things). You'll get more out of the conference if you branch out and talk to someone else who has the same job or research interests as you do. And if you're coming to the meeting on your own, don't be afraid to approach people: (a) there are other people like you there (other first-timers), just find them and you can join forces, (b) everyone is friendly and will be open and accepting, and (c) you will find people who share your interests just by attending technical sessions - after all, you're both there because you have the same interests, so all you have to do is strike up a conversation.


• Step outside of your box: sit at a table of people you don't know at the President's lunch, introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you at a technical session, tag along with a group you've just met to different events, and reach out. The more you try, the more likely you are to make some contacts and get the most out of the AM. You should also try attending a session outside of your research interests or job function. Getting a broad knowledge of the industry may lead to an innovation or idea you wouldn't have had otherwise, or a connection that may lead to a job or new colleague.


• Contribute to the discussion for #STLE2012. If you're in an interesting session, let other's know about it.


• Follow the back channel (#STLE2012) - it will help you keep up on what's going on, both the published stuff and the unpublished/spontaneous stuff.


• Come to the YP/Student Networking event on Tuesday night May 8, 7:30 p.m. at the Flamingo Bowl. Come for some hors d'oeuvres, drinks and networking with young professionals, as well as key STLE members, so you can make some great career connections. Details will be on the AM webpage and will be included in AM emails, but make sure you RSVP so we have enough food to go around.


• If you're participating in the student poster competition, be sure to visit the website (scroll down to the student/YP section) for updates, and keep an eye out for the email with instructions you'll need to get your bearings for the day. If you haven't gotten instructions yet, let us know.


• Also, as a take-away, remember that we will have a CD of proceedings available for free to all meeting attendees. The CD includes a listing of the papers we received by the publication date, so not all papers may be listed in the CD, and others will have an extended abstract. It's something to take with you and share with colleagues after the event.


• Visit the exhibit floor. Here, you can meet potential employers if you're starting your job search, or you can make contacts to help you with your job, find solutions to common problems, and find out about the newest products on the market. Click here to see a list of exhibitors, so you can plan out your attack plan for the exhibit floor.


• Bring a ton of business cards - you will go through them, either on the exhibit floor, or just through the new contacts you make. If you don't have business cards, have something you can hand out with your contact information. Websites like VistaPrint have an option where you can get 250 cards for $10.


• Come to the Membership Booth and we will point you in the direction of someone you can network or talk shop with, or we will be able to point you in the direction of members who can provide introductions to specific technical groups and/or key contacts. Staff and volunteers will be staffing the booth, so you can meet us and pick our brains, or even offer up ideas on membership and offerings. Also, we'll have some great give-aways as an extra incentive to come see us! We get lonely, so be sure to come say hi.


• Get some rest - you'll need it, with a week jam-packed with events!


• Bring snacks. Just in case your stomach decides to rumble in the middle of a session and lunch is hours away.


• Plan out the social side of things (and how to get there). See what you can do while you're in St. Louis with some of these great links: Explore Neighborhoods (we'll be in Downtown, but you can go beyond, especially if you're driving to STL); 25 Things to Do; Day Trips/Excursions; sample Itineraries, and How to Get Around STL. Listen to this podcast (coming soon) with Karl Phipps, STLE staffer and STL native.


• Remember to have fun - this is a great opportunity for you to meet with like-minded individuals, probably the only time throughout the year you are in the same room with so many folks in tribology and lubrication engineering (around 1,100)!

Some other resources, if you're interested, include Bob Gresham's webinar presentation on getting the most out of your attendance at #STLE2012 (click here to register), and the TLT articles: A Business Case for Attending the AM and Tribology's Big Show. You can also read the interviews we conducted with two STLE members for their perspective on attending the meeting for the first time: Rachel Colbert, student member, and David Burris, young professional and Chair of the Young Tribologists Committee. Finally, keep an eye out for the post on things to do in St. Louis. It includes some tips from STLE Staffer Karl Phipps - he'll be able to give you the best tips since he grew up there!