2022 Annual Water Resources Conference Student Activities

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NOTICE: This is not a hybrid conference.

UPDATED: May 16, 2022

FOUR WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR STUDENT EXPERIENCE AT #AWRA2022

The Planning Committee is organizing student activities at the AWRA 2022 Annual Water Resources Conference. Read below for more details.

1. Poster & Paper Presentation Competitions, sponsored by GeoEngineers and Aspect Consulting: Students may present their work and a panel of volunteer judges selects the 1st and 2nd place poster and/or paper (oral) presentations.
2. Professional Networking Lunch, sponsored by Stantec: Students are invited to participate in the professional networking lunch where 3-5 representatives from different sectors will each briefly (5-10 min) introduce their work, their career arc, and what it’s like to work in their sector. Ample time will be given for Q&A.
3. Professional Development for Students and Early Career Professionals. Join this interactive workshop featuring Ms. Phoebe McMellon, MSc as she shares insights into "Preparing for a successful career in the sciences (or not)".
4. Orientation. Please join us for a quick 30-minute networking discussion on how you can make the most of your conference experience from a student's perspective. This is your time to network with other students. Grab some ribbons for your badge for an easy ice breaker conversation. Make sure you take advantage of networking with conference presenters, exhibitors, and sponsors and participate in all of the student activities. Lastly, use the social opportunities under Connect and Network in the conference app to connect and share with others.

POSTER & PAPER PRESENTATION COMPETITIONS

Students who are full-time are invited to participate in a poster and/or paper (oral) presentation competition during the AWRA 2022 Annual Water Resources Conference. These competitions are separate from other awards and scholarship programs of AWRA.

• The Poster Competition will take place during the Opening Reception in the exhibitor area on Monday, November 7. 
• The Paper (oral) Competition takes place during scheduled session presentation times throughout the conference.
• Please see the Poster Instructions in the Presenter | Moderator | Exhibitor (PME) Resources page.

Who Can Present

Full-time students in undergraduate and graduate (masters and Ph.D. levels) programs are encouraged to present posters and/or papers describing their research. Posters and papers can describe collaborative research carried out by multiple authors (including non-students) but must be presented by a student. 

Participation Costs

Participation in the competitions is optional; however; a full-conference student registration rate is required. Participation is not available to students who do not register.

Student Registration Rates (Member / Non-member):

• Super Saver - September 7: $250 / $300
• Early Bird - September 8 - October 19: $300 / $350
• October 20 - Onsite: $350 / $400

Participation Recognition - Poster Competition

Two awards will be presented at the conference luncheon on Wednesday, November 9 for Best Poster and Runner-up Poster. Recognition will also be made on the AWRA website, in various publications, and through special promotions. Poster abstracts were due September 2, 2022. Abstract submissions are now closed.

Participation Recognition - Paper (oral) Competition

Two awards will be presented at the conference luncheon on Wednesday, November 9 for Best Paper Presentation and Runner-up Paper Presentation. Recognition will also be made on the AWRA website, in various publications, and through special promotions. 

PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING LUNCH

Students are invited to participate in the professional networking lunch where 3-5 representatives from different sectors will each briefly (5-10 min) introduce their work, their career arc, and what it’s like to work in their sector. Ample time will be given for Q&A.

The Professional Networking Lunch will take place during lunch on Tuesday, November 8. Lunch is included at no additional charge for students, table experts, and the Student Activities Planning Committee ONLY. 

Do you want to get a better understanding of all the technical areas and professional sectors involved in water resources management? Perhaps this will validate your career choices or provide you with new perspectives and connections. During the first 30 minutes, lunch will be served. Student will then choose a table based on their interest where they will be provided a short description of that technical area or professional sector. After the introduction, the table expert will answer questions from participants and facilitate discussion at the table. After a short time, the students will rotate to a new table (or else!) and we hope students will take advantage of at least 4 different tables. Example employment sectors and technical areas include: 1. Government Sector, Water Mgmt/Policy Area: 2. Consultant, Design/Analysis 3. Industry, Data Management: 4. Legal, Water Rights: 5. Business, Financing/Investing: 6. NGO, Advocacy: 7. Academic, Research: 8. Education, K-12 Teaching: *This list is just meant as an example and includes both different sectors and different technical areas. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity! 

Participation Costs

Participation is optional but is included with a full-conference student rate registration rate. Participation is not available to students who do not register.

Student Registration Rates (Member / Non-member):

• Super Saver - September 7: $250 / $300
• Early Bird - September 8 - October 19: $300 / $350
• October 20 - Onsite: $350 / $400

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR STUDENTS AND EARLY CAREER PROFESSIONALS

Preparing for a successful career in the sciences (or not)

This interactive workshop will discuss how the skills and experience gained as a scientist provide you with all the skills you need to succeed. Whether you choose a career path in water resources or not, this workshop will share best practices, communication strategies to demonstrate your strengths, and do’s and don’ts in the application and interview process. Come with plenty of questions!

Attendees will:

• Discuss why the skills you gain as a scientist are universal and can help you succeed no matter what career path you choose.
• Outline different career paths in water resources (private, public, non-profit).
• Review how different jobs in the different sectors require a different approach - A tailored approach is a MUST and the best recipe for success.
• Receive some tips and tricks and do's and don'ts throughout from job search to accepting the job.
• Q&A

Presenter

Ms. Phoebe McMellon, MSc, CEO, GeoScienceWorld

Phoebe is a results-oriented business leader with over 20 years’ experience in managing global teams and working in public, private and non-profit sectors in information management and earth science-related industries.

She is the CEO of GeoScienceWorld, a nonprofit collaborative and comprehensive resource for researchers in the earth sciences. Prior to GeoScienceWorld, she worked for a marketing-leading STEM information analytics company and science publisher, gaining experience in product management, marketing, business development and commercial strategy. In addition, she has over ten years’ experience working as a hydrogeologist and water resources scientist in the US and abroad. Phoebe holds a B.S. in Geology from Long Island University and a M.Sc. in Geology from the University of Canterbury where she attended as a Fulbright Scholar.

With roots in academia, domain expertise in the earth sciences, and a career that nurtured her business acumen, Phoebe has never shied away from an opportunity. She continuously collected and developed new skills, but credits her overall success to her training and experiences gained as a scientist.

Participation Costs

Participation is included with a full-conference or Monday one-day student rate registration rate. Participation is not available to students who do not register.

Student Registration Rates (Member / Non-member):

• Super Saver - September 7: $250 / $300
• Early Bird - September 8 - October 19: $300 / $350
• October 20 - Onsite: $350 / $400

REGISTRATION NOTE & CANCELATION POLICY

AWRA Code of Conduct

All conference participants (presenters, moderators, panelists, attendees, etc.) must adhere to the AWRA Code of Conduct and must register at the appropriate registration rate. AWRA Gateway members are not eligible for discounted conference rates. The registration fees are the major source of funding for the Conference, and the sharing of registrations is prohibited - every person attending the conference must register. For presenters, if two or more individuals will be presenting, each individual must register for the conference. This includes: all technical session presenters; all panel session presenters; and all poster session presenters.

Cancelations must be made in writing. We can transfer your registration to someone else by October 19, 2022. Those cancelations received by October 19, 2022 will be subject to a processing fee of 25% of total fees. No refunds will be given after October 19, 2022. If you test positive for COVID-19 three days prior to or on the first day of the conference, AWRA will issue a credit* to your account less a 25% processing fee after the conclusion of the conference. *A note from your physician must be provided to AWRA in order to receive the credit. Abstract submission fees are nonrefundable. Refunds will be processed after the conclusion of the conference.

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