With nine conferences, the Engineering Society (EngSoc) provides students with a wide range of opportunities to network, engage with concepts, and apply knowledge.
Administratively, conferences have an executive team headed by two co-chairs. According to EngSoc Director of Clubs and Conferences Victoria Palumbi, executive teams have varying positions open to students. These positions range from marketing and finance to sponsorship, speakers, and other directorial and coordinator work.
“Our conferences cover a wide range of topics such as space, energy, water resources, business and industry, computing, and more,” Palumbi said in a statement to The Journal.
The Commerce Society (ComSoc) and EngSoc have two dually ratified conferences. The Commerce and Engineering Environmental (CEEC) conference is one of them.
“The conference focuses on a variety of environmental problems with engaging speakers and presentations,” Palumbi said. “Having these two industries—Commerce and
Engineering—shows different perspectives on these problems, giving students a unique experience.”
CEEC focuses on a variety of environmental problems through engaging speakers and presentations. The conference runs the weekend of Jan. 27 to 29, and Palumbi said any student interested in becoming involved or attending any CEEC or any conference should follow the specific conference’s social media.
Despite the fact these conferences are ratified and run under the supervision of EngSoc, all Queen’s students can apply to executive positions on conferences, alongside attending them, Palumbi said.
“Students can also attend the conference as a delegate where they can listen to the prepared presentations, attend dinners, network with sponsors, and more,” she said.
Palumbi said a key part of her job at EngSoc is working on cultivating ideas from people who have ideas around new conferences and clubs. She said the list of conferences is growing.
Due to the cost of running and hosting conferences planned by conference executives, most conferences do cost money.
“The Engineering Society has bursary money budgeted to help engineering students attend each conference. Bursary applications are accepted, and the Bursary Committee confidentially distributes money based on these applications,” Palumbi said.
Now overseeing conferences and clubs, Palumbi previously served as an executive
member on the Queen’s Engineering Competition (QEC) last year. At QEC, students
can expect various competitions ranging from debate, engineering consulting to design and programming.
During COVID-19, attendance to in-person conferences was limited—but Palumbi looks forward to attending more conferences and finding new favourites.
“After working with all of the co-chairs and hearing all of their amazing ideas for speakers and events, I am excited to attend all of the other conferences,” she said.
More details on conferences can be found by visiting the EngSoc website.
Tags
Academics, conferences, Engineering, EngSoc, Student Engagement
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