Since September, AIAA has been bringing student branches together with volunteer and staff speakers to inspire the next generation of aerospace professionals in our Back to School Campaign. From the University of Maryland, College Park to San Diego State University, AIAA representatives have met with student branches across the country to share their own career journeys and answer questions about how students can map their own paths forward. The initiative reflects AIAA’s commitment to support our members as they grow from students into accomplished professionals.
The volunteer speakers have brought invaluable real-world perspective to these campus visits. On 30 October, the AIAA Connecticut Section Career and Professional Development Committee partnered with AIAA student leaders to organize a speaker event on the University of Connecticut campus. Thao Nguyen, RTX Senior Technical Fellow, and Mark Flores, RTX Aftermarket Engineering Chief, shared insights into their careers with 34 students who asked numerous questions about mentorship and development of professional skills. Taking it a step further, based on post-event feedback, AIAA student leaders Elena Hartley and Colby Von Kannewurff will build a framework to continue the mentorship program at UConn.
In some cases, AIAA was able to pair alumni with their alma maters, adding an extra dimension to the conversations. Sofia Russi, Director, Aerospace Outreach Group, Denmar Technical Services, who visited San Diego State University, exemplified this meaningful connection. “I was honored to be the first AIAA member to visit a university as part of the Back to School Campaign,” Russi said. She discussed professional development, mentorship, and ways to increase student involvement through leadership opportunities and collaboration. There are many ways to connect through AIAA, whether in local sections, technical committees, or by attending forums or student conferences.
Students have responded enthusiastically to hearing from professionals who once sat in their same classrooms. Benjamin Torres, Student Branch Chair at San Diego State University, appreciated learning about Russi’s time at SDSU, particularly since “she was around when many of the large SDSU aerospace clubs (Rocket Project and Aztec Aero DBF) were created … it was interesting hearing about their origins.” The visits have also proven instrumental in revitalizing student branches. At Yale, where the AIAA student branch has been in a rebuilding phase over the past year, the speaker visit generated tremendous excitement and brought in interest from nearly 40 students putting the branch on a path to thriving once again.
For volunteers like Basil Hassan, Director, Engineering Sciences Center, Sandia National Laboratories, these connections are deeply rewarding. “It is always my pleasure to engage with aerospace students on what one can do with an aerospace engineering degree when they become working professionals,” Hassan said. “Additionally, I always stress that AIAA is an organization that you can be involved with starting as pre-college student and continuing through your college and professional careers. Being part of AIAA is the best decision I ever made, and I love carrying that message.”
AIAA members interested in partnering to speak at their alma mater or a local college can reach out to [email protected] to join this rewarding initiative.
