Saturday Sessions
8:45 A.M. – 9:40 A.M.
Geoscience and Remote Sensing and Our World – with Sidharth Misra from IEEE GRSS
IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (IEEE GRSS) is a community of community, in other words, a volunteer group of engineers, scientists who are experts in their fields within geoscience and/or remote sensing. IEEE GRSS members cover frequencies from microwave to optical, active to passive sensors, oceans to land to planetary, all in pursuit of the benefit of humanity. This talk will focus on how geoscience touches us all. We will cover the amazing discoveries, science, and use coming out of remote sensing and how IEEE GRSS helps foster this.
Spoiler Alert: Nobody Has It All Figured Out
Think you need a perfect plan? Think again. This panel dives into real stories from professionals who faced unexpected twists, changed directions, and found success in the mess. Come for the honesty, stay for the reassurance—you’re not alone in figuring it out as you go.
Rising to the Challenge: Empowering Modern Power Grids to Withstand Extreme Events – with Payman Dehghnanian from IEEE Industry Applications Society
With increasing dependence on electricity for most daily activities and vital services (e.g., transportation, commerce, communications, health care, etc.), an urgent need exists to enhance the resilience of the electricity delivery infrastructure to reduce the impact and risk from natural and human-triggered events. In this talk, I describe how planning and operational strategies can be designed, implemented, and used in practice in coordination with efficient decision-making support tools to achieve an improved survivability and resilience in power grids. The results and findings from four past and ongoing research projects at GW SmartGrid Laboratory around power grid resilience to extreme events (e.g., wildfires) will be presented. The talk also introduces the IEEE IAS society and the variety of resources and professional development opportunities that it offers to students and young professionals.
9:50 A.M. – 10:40 A.M.
Building Something for Somebody. Being a Young Entrepreneur in the Age of AI – with Elliot Soloway from IEEE Computer Society
The Post-Grad Playbook: Skills, Degrees, and Careers
Navigating post-graduation options can be overwhelming. “The Post-Grad Playbook” simplifies your choices by breaking down the full menu of opportunities, from master’s programs and professional certificates to specialized industry training, helping you find the format, focus, and flexibility that fits your goals.
Leading as an Engineer: From Technical Contributor to Influencer – with Amy Jones and Ria Ghosh from John Deere
This session explores the journeys of early-career engineers who have stepped into leadership roles. Through personal stories and practical insights, the session highlights how communication, influence, and decision-making shape the transition from individual contributor to impactful leader—offering students a real-world perspective on engineering leadership paths.
1:50 P.M. – 2:40 P.M.
What’s Going On In Washington – with Russ Harrison from IEEE-USA
Engineering Intelligence: AI, Computing, and the Future of Innovation
From smart grids to autonomous systems, the future of engineering is being shaped by artificial intelligence and computing. This forward-looking panel brings together experts from IEEE societies and alongside industry leaders from companies to explore how AI is transforming engineering disciplines, share insights into emerging technologies, and discuss the ethical and societal implications of intelligent systems.
2:50 P.M. – 3:40 P.M.
Unlock Career Path Opportunities with ComSoc Connector and ComSoc Education
Ready to level up your career in communications technology? Join us on an exploration of how the ComSoc Connector and ComSoc Education Programs can help to guide you on your career path.
Meet your typical communications engineering student standing at the crossroads of academic achievement and professional ambition. The student is overwhelmed by the sheer number of career paths: research, industry, entrepreneurship, or further study. That’s where ComSoc Connector and ComSoc Education Programs step in as a compass to navigate the process leading to the perfect opportunity!
Engineering Your Future: Leadership, Innovation, and Impact
Ready to shape the world with your ideas? This panel discussion brings together trailblazers from leading IEEE societies and top companies. Join us to explore how engineers are driving change across industries, communities, and technologies. Panelists will share personal journeys, lessons learned, and actionable insights on leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leveraging your engineering skills to create meaningful impact.
