Students and Young Professionals

Students and young professionals will have several opportunities for structured networking and career growth at the 2023 AIAA SciTech Forum in National Harbor, MD.
Rising Leaders are graduate students and professionals that are 35 and younger. They will become the leaders of tomorrow, the inventors of the next great things, and the individuals that will accept the mantle from those that have forged the way thus far.
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SciTech 101
Room
National Harbor 11
Description
Discover how you can make the most of your week at AIAA SciTech Forum while meeting fellow attendees. This orientation is ideal for first-time attendees, but all are welcome! -
Idea Challenge: Applying Aerospace Technologies to Solve Societal Problems
Description
Now in its fourth year, the AIAA Idea Challenge at AIAA SciTech Forum provides young professionals with the opportunity to develop a pitch for an idea or product that fits under the challenge theme. Each team will present ideas for how aerospace technologies and techniques can contribute solutions to large global issues, such as climate change, food sustainability, or access to resources. By introducing these ideas, they will showcase how the aerospace industry acts as a pathfinder for humanity. Teams comprising a mix of industry, government, and academic members will present their pitches during this session. Audience members can ask questions, evaluate the pitches, and choose the winning team.Moderator
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Michele Miller
Vice President, Security and Mission Assurance, Ball Aerospace
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Meet the Employers & Cocktail Reception
Room
Cherry Blossom Ballroom
Description
A can’t-miss opportunity where students and young professionals can interact with AIAA Corporate Members and find out what employment opportunities are available, all in a fun and dynamic environment. Participate in round table discussions from 1500–1700 hrs in the Cherry Blossom Ballroom, followed by a cocktail reception from 1700–1800 hrs in the Cherry Blossom Lobby. Space is limited to 400 participants.
Remember to bring your resume. Confirmed Corporate Member employers include:
- Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Airbus U.S.
- Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company
- Ball Aerospace
- Bastion Technologies, Inc.
- Blue Origin
- Boom
- Collier Aerospace
- Electra.aero
- FlexCompute
- GE Aerospace
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
- Gulfsteam Aerospace Corporation
- HX5
- JPL
- KBR
- Lockheed Martin
- Maxar
- Moog, Space and Defense
- Northrop Grumman
- Quartus Engineering
- Raytheon
- Spirit AeroSystems
- Stratolaunch
- Systems Technology, Inc.
- Textron
- The Boeing Company
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Additional participating companies include:
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NASA IFAR Early Career Forum
Room
Cherry Blossom Ballroom
Description
Discover exciting career opportunities in the field at NASA's International Forum for Aviation Research.
Title of talk: “Igniting Your Future by Maximizing Your Early Career”
Watch LiveSpeakers
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Wes Ryan
Program Manager at NASA’s Aeronautics Research Institute (NARI)
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Rising Leaders in Aerospace: Speed Mentoring
Room
Cherry Blossom Ballroom
Description
Leaders in the aerospace industry will take time to meet with the Rising Leaders participants and share their experiences. This event is a great way to get insight and make new contacts. -
Rising Leaders in Aerospace Lunch Panel: I Got My Dream Job, Now What?
Room
Cherry Blossom Ballroom
Description
College has quick timelines, short turnarounds, and new subjects each semester. Many college students have long term goals of working in a certain discipline. After graduation, many achieve these goals and get a job where they want, working on what they want. But the real world moves much slower than university - future steps, promotions, or leadership can be 10-20 year goals. Even a dream job may become tedious. This panel includes aerospace leaders to help the young professional answer the question - where do I go from here?Panelists
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Sandra H. “Sandy” Magnus
Principal - AstroPlanetview, LLC and part time Professor of the Practice - Georgia Institute of Technology -
Andrew Maurer
Director, People Analytics, Insights & Technology, Northrop Grumman Corporatioin -
Rickey J. Shyne, P. E.
Director of Research and Engineering, NASA Glenn Research Center -
Lesley Weitz
Department Chief Scientist, National Airspace System (NAS) Automation Evolution, The MITRE Corporation
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Women at SciTech Panel and Social Hour: Leadership, Innovation, and Intersectionality
Room
Potomac A&B
Description
Exclusive event to hear distinguished panelists discuss their leadership and innovation journeys. The dialogue will explore how leadership, innovation, and intersectionality combine to shape leaders and the workforce of today and tomorrow. Join us for an evening of networking and inspiring conversation.Moderator
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Sylvie DeLaHunt
Senior Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)
Panelists
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Enanga Daisy Fâlé
Sr. Systems Engineering Manager, Northrop Grumman Corporation; Director, Aerospace SIG (ASIG), National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) -
CDR Emily “Hawking” Shilling, USN
PMA-281 Naval Mission Planning Systems Military Deputy Program Manager -
Julie Williams-Byrd
Chief Technologist, NASA Langley Research Center
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By attending Rising Leaders in Aerospace events along with the technical sessions of the AIAA forums, I am able to grow my career and expand my technical knowledge all at one venue!Kate Stambaugh, JHU Applied Physics Laboratory