The Next Generation of Automation Professionals at ISA EXPO
All things “student” are my passion. People who know me recognize this fact. During my twenty-plus years with ISA much of my activity has centered on students. ISA does quite a bit for students, but as with many things, the Society receives little recognition for its efforts.
In my experience—at universities and colleges where there is an ISA Student section as well as the multitude of other engineering societies—though the other engineering societies probably have more members, the ISA section is more engaged with their senior (read that as working professional) counterparts. I have long engaged with the Cal Poly Pomona ISA Student Section and although they partner with IEEE quite a bit on campus, it is the ISA group that has connections with the professional community and it is the ISA student chapter that reaps the benefits from these connections. Many a student has been recruited from the ISA student chapter for full time positions following graduation as well as for internships while still in school! I have had many students express their appreciation for the close tie between the Los Angeles Section of ISA and the Cal Poly Student Section. Not only do the students benefit, but so does the Section. The Los Angeles Section Board has had numerous former students hold leadership chair positions. But even better than that: The students coordinate and run a beach party every summer for the entire student and senior membership. What a great way to get to know each other!
I don’t think that Cal Poly and ISA Los Angeles have a unique relationship. When I participate in the Council of Student Affairs meeting, yearly at Society Leader’s meetings, it is quite evident that this close relationship exists between many of our senior and student sections.
But having student sections is not enough…about 12 years ago some great leaders within ISA came up with the idea of holding a student competition at the annual fall conference. This prompted the formation of what is now called the International Student Games—one of ISA’s best kept secrets! Every year twelve teams of 4-6 students travel to Houston to participate in a full day of competing on their knowledge of automation technology and concepts. The competition has been well supported by industry who provides the equipment and problems. Even though the companies put a great amount of time and effort into these problems, I have never heard of one that didn’t want to come back to provide problems and equipment again after their first year of participation. I have to give public thanks to my own company, Emerson, who has provided problems and equipment every year of the competition—Thank you Emerson Education Services!
Unfortunately, the International Student games can only accommodate 60 students—so, how can ISA reach a broader group of students and young professional? Well, two years ago the Society came up with the concept of YAPFEST (Young Automation Professionals Festival). Allow me to set the scene two years ago when the first YAPFEST was held…It was raining—flooding might be the correct term—and under a tent in the parking lot at Reliant Center. About 200 young Automation Professionals and students got to participate in a great event. The rule was you had to be under 30 years of age to be allowed in the tent; however, an exception was made for the Executive Committee of ISA—I was fortunate enough at the time to be serving on the Committee and had the privilege of sharing a few beers, barbeque, and good music with some very enthusiastic and young members of our profession. It was a fantastic event! Truly a great networking opportunity!
This year, students and YAPs will be bringing their resumes to the event to share with YAPFEST sponsors. To learn more about the event or to become a sponsor, visit www.isa.org/yapfest.
But both the International Student Games and YAPFEST—as great as these events are—require the work of many volunteers and ISA staff people to pull them off. They also require donations or sponsorships from industry. Neither YAPFEST nor the International Student Games are supposed to be funded entirely by Society funds. Both events require donations from industry to make them successful and enjoyable for the students.
If you wish to be a sponsor of either of these great opportunities or would like to provide problems for the games—these would be much appreciated by our event coordinators—contact Chris Johnson at (919) 990-9230 or cjohnson@isa.org (YAPFEST) or Laura Crumpler at (919) 990-9232 or lcrumpler@isa.org (International Student Games) to learn more.
As all of our companies struggle with the issue of aging workforce and developing the new generation of automation professionals, keep in mind these great opportunities to attract and keep young people in automation. You never know where you will find the next Arnold Beckman, Kermit Fisher, Béla G. Lipták, W. Wayne Wittenberger, Hewlett and Packard, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, A.G. Bell, Edison, T. Jefferson, and the list goes on and on.
In my experience—at universities and colleges where there is an ISA Student section as well as the multitude of other engineering societies—though the other engineering societies probably have more members, the ISA section is more engaged with their senior (read that as working professional) counterparts. I have long engaged with the Cal Poly Pomona ISA Student Section and although they partner with IEEE quite a bit on campus, it is the ISA group that has connections with the professional community and it is the ISA student chapter that reaps the benefits from these connections. Many a student has been recruited from the ISA student chapter for full time positions following graduation as well as for internships while still in school! I have had many students express their appreciation for the close tie between the Los Angeles Section of ISA and the Cal Poly Student Section. Not only do the students benefit, but so does the Section. The Los Angeles Section Board has had numerous former students hold leadership chair positions. But even better than that: The students coordinate and run a beach party every summer for the entire student and senior membership. What a great way to get to know each other!
I don’t think that Cal Poly and ISA Los Angeles have a unique relationship. When I participate in the Council of Student Affairs meeting, yearly at Society Leader’s meetings, it is quite evident that this close relationship exists between many of our senior and student sections.
But having student sections is not enough…about 12 years ago some great leaders within ISA came up with the idea of holding a student competition at the annual fall conference. This prompted the formation of what is now called the International Student Games—one of ISA’s best kept secrets! Every year twelve teams of 4-6 students travel to Houston to participate in a full day of competing on their knowledge of automation technology and concepts. The competition has been well supported by industry who provides the equipment and problems. Even though the companies put a great amount of time and effort into these problems, I have never heard of one that didn’t want to come back to provide problems and equipment again after their first year of participation. I have to give public thanks to my own company, Emerson, who has provided problems and equipment every year of the competition—Thank you Emerson Education Services!
Unfortunately, the International Student games can only accommodate 60 students—so, how can ISA reach a broader group of students and young professional? Well, two years ago the Society came up with the concept of YAPFEST (Young Automation Professionals Festival). Allow me to set the scene two years ago when the first YAPFEST was held…It was raining—flooding might be the correct term—and under a tent in the parking lot at Reliant Center. About 200 young Automation Professionals and students got to participate in a great event. The rule was you had to be under 30 years of age to be allowed in the tent; however, an exception was made for the Executive Committee of ISA—I was fortunate enough at the time to be serving on the Committee and had the privilege of sharing a few beers, barbeque, and good music with some very enthusiastic and young members of our profession. It was a fantastic event! Truly a great networking opportunity!
This year, students and YAPs will be bringing their resumes to the event to share with YAPFEST sponsors. To learn more about the event or to become a sponsor, visit www.isa.org/yapfest.
But both the International Student Games and YAPFEST—as great as these events are—require the work of many volunteers and ISA staff people to pull them off. They also require donations or sponsorships from industry. Neither YAPFEST nor the International Student Games are supposed to be funded entirely by Society funds. Both events require donations from industry to make them successful and enjoyable for the students.
If you wish to be a sponsor of either of these great opportunities or would like to provide problems for the games—these would be much appreciated by our event coordinators—contact Chris Johnson at (919) 990-9230 or cjohnson@isa.org (YAPFEST) or Laura Crumpler at (919) 990-9232 or lcrumpler@isa.org (International Student Games) to learn more.
As all of our companies struggle with the issue of aging workforce and developing the new generation of automation professionals, keep in mind these great opportunities to attract and keep young people in automation. You never know where you will find the next Arnold Beckman, Kermit Fisher, Béla G. Lipták, W. Wayne Wittenberger, Hewlett and Packard, Bill Gates, Henry Ford, A.G. Bell, Edison, T. Jefferson, and the list goes on and on.
posted by ISA at
2:59 PM
1 Comments:
My congratulkations from Lima, PERU
Carlos Ramirez Carrascal, ISA member
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