ISA Brings Together the Next Generation at Automation Career Connection During ISA EXPO

Posted by The Webmaster on August 11, 2009 under ISA News | Be the First to Comment

The International Society of Automation (ISA) announced today its Automation Career Connection activities as part of ISA EXPO, an Automation Week event, 6–8 October 2009 at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas. Automation Career Connection is designed to help introduce middle and high school students, college students, and young automation professionals to careers in automation.

Three events make up Automation Career Connection: iAU2M8.09, YAPFEST, and the pilot Undergraduate Student Research Conference. Each event includes unique, educational activities designed for each age group.

The second annual iAU2M8.09 is designed for middle and high school students in the Houston, Texas area. This event will bring nearly 600 students and their teachers together for tours of the ISA EXPO show floor; educational demonstrations related to automation; and a keynote presentation delivered by Joel Leonard, executive producer and host, SkillTV. iAU2M8.09 will take place on Thursday, 8 October 2009.

The fourth annual YAPFEST is a social networking party for ISA EXPO attendees ages 18-30 who want to learn about careers in automation. “YAPFEST is a key opportunity for young people to mingle with leaders in automation, peers, and Members of the Society for automation professionals, ISA,” said Bernard Penney, director, marketing and communications, ISA. “Events like YAPFEST offer attendees an economical opportunity to make potential career connections and build a professional network in one location,” Penney added. YAPFEST is scheduled for Tuesday, 6 October 2009.

The first ever Undergraduate Student Research Conference (ISA – USRC) is being offered as a pilot project under the ISA Professional Development Department (PDD). The PDD invited a small number of schools to participate in this information exchange and the following will be represented in Houston, Texas for this first ISA – USRC:

• Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Tantoyuca, Veracruz, Mexico
• Lee College, Baytown, Texas
• St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, St. Petersburg, Russia

The ISA – USRC will take place on Tuesday, 6 October 2009 and all ISA EXPO attendees are invited to observe.

“Automation Career Connection will provide students with a platform to share their fundamental knowledge and help them make connections in industry,” said Dale Lee, director, convention, education, and certification, ISA. “It will also help generate buzz with the next generation about what automation professionals actually do and why their jobs are important,” Lee continued.

For more information about Automation Career Connection events, including sponsorship opportunities, visit www.isa.org/connect.