Call for Student Leaders

Due December 20, 2024

TechConnect, in partnership with the NextTech Student Network and affiliated student groups from across the country, is proud to announce the 2025 Nano and Emerging Technologies Student Leaders Conference co-located with the 2025 TechConnect World Innovation Conference and 2025 Nanotech Conference & Expo. The event will be held on June 9–11, 2025 at the JW Marriott, Austin, TX.

The Student Leaders Conference brings together undergraduate nano and emerging technologies student group representatives from across the United States. This program is seeking out active student group leaders in order to highlight undergraduate research and connect students with entrepreneurs, industry leaders, venture capitalists, and representatives of federal agencies funding research in emerging technologies. Additionally, the Student Leaders Conference is an opportunity for students to share best practices and network with like-minded group leaders.

This year, the Student Leaders Conference is coordinating with the CHIPS Act Workforce Development Programming at TechConnect to raise awareness about the different career paths associated with the semiconductor industry. Students will be surprised to learn that not all "CHIPS" jobs are for electrical engineers! In addition to talks on what the semiconductor industry is all about, students will have the opportunity to explore career opportunities/training/internship at the expo floor, and showcase their research during the poster session.

The Student Leaders Conference will also host a career panel discussion with industry, government, and academics to explore the different career paths beyond the semiconductor industry possible with a STEM degree, a poster session, and a reception.

In its role to support the National Nanotechnology Initiative, the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office is helping to establish the NextTech Student Network. Student leaders from the network have designed the conference in order to ensure the programming meets the needs of these groups. Participation is welcome from student leaders in any science, technology, and business domain.