It’s almost time. Everyone in the AISES orbit is counting the days to the National Conference slated for September 23–25. The premier event for Indigenous STEM students and professionals in North America and the Pacific Islands will again be action-packed with STEM career and academic activities. For 43 years, this one-of-a-kind forum has provided mentorship pathways, skill-building workshops, interactive education, and opportunities to network with Native peers, professionals, and elders.
Organizers are expecting more than 2,000 attendees this year as the annual event returns to Phoenix, Ariz. They emphasize that whether you’re a National Conference first-timer or veteran, all are welcome. As AISES Senior Director of Special Events Katherine Cristiano observes, “One of the reasons the conference is so popular is that it is always a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive ‘safe camp’ for all AISES family members across race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity.”
The three-day agenda will feature more than 100 live and virtual sessions and more than 180 in-person and virtual exhibits. Conference highlights will include opening and closing ceremonies, keynote speakers, talking circles, research competitions, industry partner and university tours, a student awards ceremony, and a traditional Native powwow and Native artisan marketplace. And wait, there’s more: the largest college and career fair in the United States for Indigenous students and professionals.
Here are your Top 10 Tips for making the most of this year’s conference.
1. Register ASAP. You can register now online. September 3 is the hard-and-fast deadline for pre-conference registration rates. The onsite rate begins on September 4 and extends through onsite registration. All AISES members receive a discount, and you can qualify for the “college student w/online resume" rate by posting your resume when you register.
2. Plan how you’ll spend your time. Get familiar with the conference agenda and sort it by track. With so many events to choose from, you’ll want to have a plan that prioritizes your interests as well as opportunities to meet speakers, featured experts, and other participants. Online attendees: The track that shows all of the virtual portions of the conference is called “streamed event.”
3. Check out exhibitors ahead of time. Whether you attend the conference in Phoenix or virtually, the exhibit floor offers a lot to navigate, so it’s handy to have a list of your “must-sees.” You can find an up-to-date list of exhibits here. As you circulate, don’t forget to collect contact information so you can follow up with the people you meet.
4. Come prepared to observe COVID-19 health and safety rules. Safety protocols at the National Conference will follow Center for Disease Control (CDC) and state and local mandates and recommendations. Definitely bring a supply of masks and be prepared to wear them for the duration of the event.
5. Pre-college students: You can get a head start. Wednesday, September 22 features two events designed for middle school and high school students. The hackAISES mini-hackathon sponsored by Wells Fargo will feature a selection of projects that range from novice to advanced levels as well as prizes and giveaways. In addition, the STEM Activity Day sponsored by Boeing will include hands-on STEM activities and opportunities to work on skills such as resume building and applying for college.
6. For virtual events, get your tech ready. While a laptop or desktop is optimal, you can use any device with an Internet connection. Check your bandwidth (Google “test speed”) ahead of time, and if necessary, follow troubleshooting steps to improve your Internet speed. As the conference approaches, watch for information and updates from AISES on how you’ll be able to attend the event online.
7. Don’t miss the famous College and Career Fair. The in-person college and career fair at the Phoenix Convention Center takes place on Friday, September 24 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. AISES will also host a virtual college and career fair on October 15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Plan to bring 20 to 30 copies of your resume to share with partners recruiting for interns. If you need assistance updating your resume, AISES professionals will be in the Resume Room to help.
8. Pro Tip: Networking works. You don’t have to be extroverted to be an effective networker. It’s all about common ground. At the National Conference, you already share at least two things with everyone else: (1) you know AISES and (2) you’re at the event. A simple “Your first time here?” or “That was great!” can be enough to get a conversation going.
9. Mind your manners! Every conference participant is expected to adhere to the AISES Code of Conduct. As an attendee, you agree that you and any participants registered by you agree to abide by the AISES Code of Conduct. All conference events and gatherings, including chat conversations, will be moderated.
10. Keep up with AISES on social media. Follow the hashtag #AISESNC21 for the latest on conference opportunities, special activities, and what to know before you go.
On Topic
Makayla Mather is an enrolled member of the Central Council Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes. They are a first-year master’s student at Montana State University studying earth sciences pursuing research in snow science. Mather has been involved in AISES since 2016 and served as the Region 5 Student Representative. In her free time they enjoy beading earrings and hiking.
What can attendees do before they even arrive in Phoenix to ensure they get the most from the experience?
I think one of the first steps is to look over the agenda for the conference. That way attendees can have a better sense of what the conference may be like this year while planning the sessions they would like to attend. After doing that, it’s best to look at the employers and peers who will be attending and catch up with each other!
How can attendees capitalize on the College and Career Fair during the National Conference?
The best way to benefit from the College and Career Fair is to update and prepare your resume to show future employers. Afterward, attendees can search which organizations will be in attendance and begin networking! The best part of the conference is the community of people who are invested in attendees’ success within their fields.
