NSF Early Career Forum

Technology, Research & Development Professions in Academia, Industry & National Laboratories: An Early Career Forum

Organized by: ASME/MED and NAMRI/SME

Sponsored by: The U.S. National Science Foundation (providing travel support to students)

Hosted by: Clemson University, South Carolina

Location: Ballroom

Purpose: The goal of this forum is to provide current students at all levels of graduate and undergraduate programs as well as recent graduates with information about various research and technical positions in academia, industry, and national laboratories. Panelists will present an overview of their careers and discuss how to be successful professionally in various settings in a roundtable format.

The forum will be held during the co-located manufacturing conferences at Clemson University: the ASME 2025 International Manufacturing Science and Engineering Conference (MSEC2025) and the NAMRI/SME 53rd North American Manufacturing Research Conference (NAMRC53).

Agenda

     6:00 – 6:15 pm ET:  Opening remarks and welcome
     6:15 – 7:00 pm ET:  Up to 3-minute spoken introductions by each panelist with Q&A session.
                                      Break and switch-over of panelists.
     7:15 – 8:00 pm ET:  Up to 3-minute spoken introductions by each panelist with Q&A session.
     8:00 – 9:00 pm ET:  Roundtable discussions, Networking and wrap-up

Forum Format

1. Panelists will introduce themselves and discuss their career paths. Panelists have experience in conducting/leading research and engineering projects in academia, government labs, and industry.
2. During each panel session, 20 min will be set aside for audience members to participate in a live Q&A poll moderated by Prof. Okwudire
3. During the roundtable discussions, forum participants can discuss careers in academia, government, and industry. Panelists will discuss how to search for a job, career management, and funding, among other topics that is relevant to the panelist speaker. Participants will be able to visit with several panelists during the 1hr roundtable session.
4. During and after the forum, participants are encouraged to engage in conversations/discussions related to their professional and personal interests.

All registered conference participants are welcome to attend the forum with no additional fee.

Attendance of the Early Career Forum is mandatory for NSF Travel Grant student applicants.

2025 Early Career Forum Chair

Chinedum Okwudire, Ph.D.
Professor, University of Michigan

Email: okwudire@umich.edu