Broadening Participation in Materials
Undergraduate Student Program Agenda

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Research Mentor Training Workshop (Mentors only)
Collaborate with colleagues in this workshop designed to maximize the effectiveness of your mentoring relationships.  The program will cover such topics as maintaining effective communications, aligning expectations, addressing equality and inclusion, and assessing understanding.

7:30 am – 9:30 am

Mentoring Breakfast
Meet with your mentor/mentee and participate in a workshop meant to develop your poster presentation and networking skills.

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Using Improv for Communications
In this fun, interactive session, science communication professionals will lead improvisation exercises and games to help participants gain confidence and positive communication skills.  Participants will then explore how they can use these skills to effectively present their science to the public during outreach events. All attendees are required to participate for the full 90 minutes. No ‘observers’ will be permitted in the room.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Student Mixer
Network and mingle with fellow MRS student members, postdocs and industry attendees.  Features fun hands-on demonstrations.

8:00 am – 11:00 am

Science Communication Panel: How to use social media for connecting with colleagues and the press
This panel will discuss how materials researchers can leverage social media as a networking tool as well as a way to promote their work through the press.

10:00 am – 11:30 am

Using Improv for Communications
In this fun, interactive session, science communication professionals will lead improvisation exercises and games to help participants gain confidence and positive communication skills.  Participants will then explore how they can use these skills to effectively present their science to the public during outreach events. All attendees are required to participate for the full 90 minutes. No ‘observers’ will be permitted in the room.

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Career Fair
Explore MRS’ Career Fair, which provides opportunities for mentors, mentees and top employers to discuss career opportunities.  The Career Fair will feature recruiters and on-site interviews, career development sessions, resume critiques and mock interviews.

7:00 pm – 7:30 pm

Mentor/Mentee Poster Practice
Practice presenting your poster with your mentor before exhibiting in front of hundreds of Meeting attendees at the Poster Session.

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Student Poster Presentations
Apply the knowledge and skills that you’ve been working on when presenting your poster to a panel of judges and MRS Poster Session attendees. 

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Career Fair
Explore MRS’ Career Fair, which provides opportunities for mentors, mentees and top employers to discuss career opportunities.  The Career Fair will feature recruiters and on-site interviews, career development sessions, resume critiques and mock interviews.

11:00 am – 11:45 am

Informational Interviewing
Learn the basics of informational interviewing, including who to speak with, how to set one up, potential questions to ask, and tips on how to make the most of informational interviews.

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

Negotiating a Job Offer
Join us to examine the many variables that exist during the evaluation and negotiation process of job offers.

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm

Preparing for Your Next Job Interview
Learn and exercise creative ways to be a successful self-advocate during an interview.