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SEPTEMBER 2024

How to Get the Most Out of the AISES National Conference

The countdown to the AISES National Conference is on! This year’s conference, with the theme Rivers of Resilience — Sustaining Indigenous Innovation, is in San Antonio, Texas, October 3–5. If you’ve never been to an AISES National Conference, it’s an amazing opportunity for Indigenous students and professionals to learn, grow, and share their knowledge. With so much to do and so many people to see, it can be overwhelming. Here are a few ways to get the most out of your time.

 

Make Sure You’re Able to Go

According to the American Psychological Association, the benefits of attending a conference as a student are many. Be sure to mark the dates on your calendar and resolve any potential scheduling conflicts. If you will miss class, connect with your professors in advance. They will appreciate knowing you’ll be absent, and most will be supportive of this productive time away.

 

You’ll also need to register for the conference — registration closes on September 20, so don’t delay. If money is an issue, look into grants, scholarships, or funding through your university. Many have a budget for conference registration and/or travel.

 

Don’t Try to See Everything

There will be dozens of amazing sessions and individuals you’ll want to see throughout the conference. It will be tempting to squeeze in as much as you can, but don’t overdo it. Trying to do too much will lead to less attention and time for the people and presentations that truly interest you. Make a list of your conference priorities, then create a plan. Setting realistic expectations will help you spend meaningful time on what you do participate in.

 

 

Your Path to a Foreign Service IT Career
Discover a two-year diversity fellowship/recruitment program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, that provides academic funding for your IT-related bachelor’s or master’s degree and prepares you to become a Foreign Service Diplomatic Technology Officer. Applications are now being accepted for the 2025 cohort.

 

ON TOPIC

 

The AISES National Conference is the largest gathering of Indigenous people who are focused on STEM. It’s a celebration of culture, Native contributions to science, and all that the future holds. It’s hard to leave without feeling renewed and empowered. While you’re moving around the conference, keep these tips in mind:

 

Actively participate. Take notes during sessions and be sure to record the names and contact information of the people you meet — other students, professors, potential employers — as well as internship or job opportunities. Approach presenters after sessions and ask follow-up questions to learn more about the topic or their journey to their current position. These conversations could help decipher the next steps along your educational and career paths.

 

Attend your chapter meeting. Meeting with your AISES College Chapter during the conference is a great way to network and learn more about what AISES has to offer.

 

Visit several booths at the College and Career Fair. After focusing on your main interests, be sure to check out other booths. You can learn so much about companies, potential opportunities, and how STEM applies in a particular field by stopping by booths — even if you don’t think they apply to your interests. The fair makes for a busy day that can result in information overload but push through. Be sure to bring a tote bag or backpack for all the brochures and swag you’ll collect along the way.

 

Take part in hands-on activities. Pre-college students who have the chance to participate in a STEM activity should do it. Besides being a lot of fun, they’ll gain experience collaborating with professionals, connect with future internship sites, and meet like-minded students.

 

 

 

 

• and make your mark on the world.

• We recruit a from multiple professional backgrounds.

• work to solve the most challenging issues for the nation.

• draw on a diversity of talents, thoughts, and experiences.

 

 

 

 

CAREER CORNER

To help you on your journey to determine a career pathway, each month we'll highlight one STEM profession and how you might use that career to support and build your tribal community after earning your degree. Many career paths are worth exploring — even those you've never heard about. Keep an open mind as you learn about various options within STEM, and discover your path to opportunity.

 

MATERIALS ENGINEER

Materials science and engineering majors often focus on a specific sub-discipline, such as plastics, electrical materials, metals, ceramics, or biomaterials. Coursework will include physics and a lot of advanced chemistry. Materials scientists are needed in diverse industries, which means their careers can span from computer manufacturing and automotive sectors to the military.

 

What they do:

Materials engineers evaluate materials and develop machinery and processes to manufacture materials for products that must meet specialized design and performance specifications. They create new uses for known materials. These engineers also work with composite materials, typically specializing in one type of material, such as graphite, metal and metal alloys, ceramics and glass, plastics and polymers, and naturally occurring materials. Different types of materials engineers include metallurgical engineers, ceramic engineers, and welding engineers.

 

A person in this career:

  • Reviews product plans and makes recommendations for material selection based on design objectives such as strength, weight, heat resistance, electrical conductivity, and cost.
  • Supervises the work of technologists, technicians, and other engineers and scientists.
  • Analyzes product failure data and laboratory test results to determine the causes of problems and develop solutions.
  • Conducts or supervises tests on raw materials or finished products to ensure their quality.
  • Plans and implements laboratory operations to develop material and fabrication procedures that meet cost, product specification, and performance standards.
  • Designs and directs the testing or control of processing procedures.
  • Monitors material performance and evaluates material deterioration.
  • Performs managerial functions, such as preparing proposals and budgets, analyzing labor costs, and writing reports.
  • Plans and evaluates new projects, consulting with other engineers and corporate executives as necessary.
  • Guides technical staff in developing materials for specific uses in projected products or devices.

How can I use this type of career to help my community?

Support the economic development of your tribal nation by developing materials for tribal community purposes or global production of materials or devices.

 

For more about STEM careers, check out the .

 

 

GOING PLACES WITH AISES

Get the AISES Nation App Today

The AISES Nation app is a space for AISES members to come together, share their cultural knowledge, celebrate each other's successes, and build community. This virtual hangout is your one-stop-shop to make meaningful connections and easily access all the amazing AISES programs in one place! To download the app, go to the App Store/Google Play store on your phone and type AISES Nation. You can also join the platform online .

 

ENTER NOW: THE AISES RESUME SWEEPSTAKES

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Add your resume to the AISES Career Hub and enter our Resume Sweepstakes, happening now through Oct. 31. To enter, simply upload your resume to the AISES Career Hub, and you'll automatically be entered for a chance to win fabulous prizes. Whether you are navigating a career transition, seeking to advance in your current position, or looking to enter a new field, our Career Hub is designed to help individuals like yourself take the leap. Winners will be announced on the AISES Nation app at 5 p.m. MT on Oct. 31.

 

 

STUDENT RESOURCES

ONLINE RESOURCES

SCHOLARSHIPS

Information about AISES scholarships will be posted on the AISES website as it becomes available. Check for a general scholarship timeline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PK–12 STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

March 28–29, 2025
NAISEF is an SSP-affiliated science fair and is the only national science fair, with a virtual option, centered around acknowledging and supporting Indigenous students interested in science and engineering. NAISEF sends two Grand Prize winners to the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) where they compete against students from more than 70 countries. In addition to the Grand Prize, students are also eligible for various cash prizes, and can build their network at our College and Career Fair.

 

Students whose concepts were entered in the 2023 or 2024 National American Science and Engineering Fair (NAISEF) are eligible to apply. In collaboration with the National STEM Festival, the award recognizes the creativity, ingenuity, and technical prowess of the first scientists by honoring Indigenous students from North American tribes or the Pacific Islands who have developed research projects that answer burning questions or address real-world challenges from their communities. Up to three award recipients will receive a six-day/five-night trip to the National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., where they will present their STEM project.

 

NWIFC – Olympia, Wash.

The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission is organizing a Native Youth Salmon Summit for October 2024. In partnership with Salmon Defense and the Tulalip Tribes, and with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, our aim is to inspire Native youth to pursue careers in natural resources — ultimately helping to protect and preserve their treaty resources and the environment for all in Washington state. The two-day summit will host up to 100 high school-aged Native youth on the Tulalip Tribes’ reservation. The youth will learn more about their treaty rights, the importance of the historical court decisions and what kinds of careers are available in tribal natural resources.

 

AIAA – United States

Made possible by donations from the Hewson Family Foundation and Lockheed Martin, the scholarship awards one $10,000 scholarship to a female high school senior and one $10,000 scholarship to a female university student who are intending or pursuing an engineering major at a college or university in the United States or one of its territories. Apply by Dec. 31.

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education – Washington, D.C.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Environmental Management (EM) Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP) Success Through Academic Research Scholarship (STARS) program provides opportunities for undergraduate students from Minority Serving Institutions pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) that supports the EM research and operations in the following areas: soil and groundwater; deactivation and decommissioning; tank waste; robotics; machine learning; AI; cybersecurity; advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and manufacturing disciplines.

 

The possibilities at the intersection of medicine and technology are endless, which means endless opportunities to make your mark on the world. Medtronic interns do real work within experienced engineering teams to improve the lives of millions. Currently, Medtronic is seeking interns for clinical research, quality engineering, software engineering, research and development engineering, and operations engineering in multiple locations from June 2–Aug. 15.

 

Gecko Robotics is helping the world’s most important organizations ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure. Gecko's complete and connected solutions combine wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customers with a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. Gecko Robotics is currently hiring interns for Summer 2025. Applications for other terms will not be considered at this time. A minimum commitment of 10–12 weeks is required for this position. Tentative intern start dates are May 26 and June 16, 2025.

 

The mission of the AIAA Diversity Scholars Program is to provide opportunities for underrepresented minority university students who have an interest in or are pursuing a degree in aerospace to attend an AIAA forum or event, make connections, and form lifelong relationships with colleagues in industry, academia, and government. Beginning 2025 with the AIAA SciTech Forum, this program will be available to undergraduate students only. Students selected for an AIAA Diversity Scholarship will receive the following, roundtrip coach airfare, conference registration (includes access to all networking events, hotel room for the duration of the conference in host hotel; customized schedule; special small-group meetings with aerospace industry leaders; and the opportunity to make new friends that will last a lifetime. Apply by Oct. 8.

 

GRADUATE/POSTDOCTORAL OPPORTUNITIES

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory – Pasadena, Calif.

Offered by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, AMDS is a 3-month-long career development experience to learn the development of a hypothesis-driven robotic space mission in a concurrent engineering environment while getting an in-depth, first-hand look at instrument design, mission life cycle, costs, schedule and the inherent trade-offs. Engineering students close to completion of their masters degree in science and engineering, doctoral candidates, recent PhDs, postdocs, and junior faculty who are U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents are eligible. Applicants from diverse backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. The session takes place Feb. 6–April 25. Appy by Nov. 4.

   

Getty Conservation Institute – Los Angeles, Calif.

Applications are now open for the 2025–2026 Getty Graduate Internship program. Opportunities are available in the GCI’s buildings and sites, collections, and science departments, and the GCI Information Center. Graduate internships at Getty are open to applicants of all nationalities who are either currently enrolled in a graduate program or graduate conservation certificate (or their equivalents for international applicants) in a field relevant to the internship for which they are applying; or who have recently completed a relevant graduate degree. Internships are full time for twelve months and include a $47,500 stipend, $1,500 towards relocation expenses (if coming from outside the Los Angeles area), and up to $2,500 to support research travel. Individuals from groups underrepresented across the fields of art history, conservation, and museums are encouraged to apply. Apply by Nov. 4.

  

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) – Reston, Va.

The Committee on Sustainability (COS) of ASCE is seeking members with demonstrated interest and experience to participate on the Sustainable Infrastructure Standard Committee. The current version of this standard defines performance objectives specific to sustainability applicable across all infrastructure sectors; the accompanying commentary provides guidance on how the objectives can be achieved. Apply by Sept. 30.

 

 
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Paths to Opportunities and Winds of Change are published exclusively by AISES.

AISES works to substantially increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM studies and careers.

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