LabAutomation2010 Student and Early Career Professionals Program

… exclusively designed by graduate and undergraduate students and early career professionals!


ALA Academic Travel Awards

Students, graduate students, post-docs and junior faculty members with fewer than four years in their first academic appointment can earn travel awards from ALA for the annual LabAutomation conference. Applicants must be primary authors of submitted abstracts that are selected as poster or podium presentations. Winners receive airfare or a reimbursement for personal auto mileage, shared hotel accommodations, and waived conference fees.

This commitment to tomorrow's workforce reinforces ALA's long-term vision for professional development. Since its debut in 1999, this program has enabled nearly 200 young professionals to actively participate and contribute to ALA and the LabAutomation conference.

Click here for complete program details.


ALA Mentorship Program — NEW!

New this year to LabAutomation2010 is the ALA Mentorship Program. Meant to provide additional value and opportunity to students and early career professionals attending LabAutomation2010, this program connects young scientists with those established in their careers within the field of laboratory automation. Whether you are a student considering a career in the laboratory automation sciences or you have just made the transition from your student life to your professional life, ALA is there to help. Utilize the ALA Mentorship Program to meet a mentor for lunch, take in a session or simply walk the exhibit floor.
Available Mentors: Visit the mentorship site to see a list of available mentors attending LabAutomation2010. Once you have identified a mentor you wish to connect with, contact Amy McGorry, Senior Manager, Administration and Member Services to make a connection.

Interested in Becoming a Mentor? Submit a short biography to have your name added to the list of available mentors. Once you are selected by a student or early career professional attending LabAutomation2010, a request will be sent to you via email (or telephone) to connect with that individual.

Questions? Contact Amy McGorry, Senior Manager, Administration and Member Services at amcgorry@labautomation.org.

This is a test program, in its first year. Please feel free to submit feedback and suggestions!


Back by popular demand…

Life After Graduate School & Your First Year On The Job: Presented by the American Chemical Society

Tuesday, January 26, 2010
LabAutomation2010, Palm Springs, CA, USA

Returning for the third time to LabAutomation this year is a much improved one-day program focused on the transition from the academic world to the business world dealing with such sensitive items as interviewing skills, appropriate attire, relocation, cultural impacts, and much, much more. New this year, is a section dedicated specifically to early career professionals and focusing on the first year on the job.

Instructor: Professor Joel Shulman, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati

Preparing For Life After Graduate School
8-10:30AM — Breakfast Served

  • Resume Preparation: There’s always room for improvement
  • Effective Interviewing for Industry: A trainable skill

What to Expect: Your First Year on the Job
12:30-3:30PM — Lunch Served

  • First Year on the Job: Getting started in your career
  • IP & Patents: What you need to know
  • Business Economics for R&D: A brief primer
  • Q&A Panel with Industry Leaders


Student and Early Career Professionals Mixer at LabAutomation2010

Returning this year to LabAutomation2010 is the ALA Student Mixer. ALA will welcome its student attendees and Academic Travel Award winners to LabAutomation2010 with this improved social event designed to help students connect with each other and with ALA Staff and Volunteer Leaders at the start of the conference and exhibition. Drinks and snacks will be served.

More information coming soon! Check back for updates regarding Life After Graduate School and Student Mixer.


Student & Early Career Professionals Committee Meeting

The Student & Early Career Professionals Committee will, once again, hold a meeting at LabAutomation2010 in Palm Springs this January. The Committee invites all relevant participants to attend and take part in this planning session now in its third year. Please stop by to share your ideas and learn how to become more involved with ALA's student and volunteer community.


Poster Competition

Once again, LabAutomation2010 will feature a student poster competition. ALA selects the top student posters from around the world to be presented at LabAutomation2010. These posters automatically qualify for the competition, which offers a $1,000 cash award for most outstanding poster presentation, a $500 cash award for second place and $250 for third place. For more information on how to submit a poster, visit poster guidelines.


Registration

Full-time undergraduate students, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows may register for the LabAutomation2010 conference and short course for a modest fee of $25 (each) to cover the cost of materials (travel and lodging not included.) Please note that there is limited availability for short courses.


Membership

ALA provides full-time graduate and undergraduate students regular individual membership advantages at a significantly reduced rate. Registration for students is only available by fax or mail, and requires a copy of a valid student ID card and proof of full-time academic studies.

By becoming a Student Member of the Association for Laboratory Automation, you are taking the first step towards advancing your career in the field of laboratory automation.

Some of the benefits you will enjoy as a Student Member are:

  • Discount registration rates for the LabAutomation Conference and Short Courses
  • Subscription to JALA
  • Access to JALA Online
  • Full access to ALA Career Connections
  • Full access to the LabMan Blog
  • Opportunity to join the ALA Student Community
  • Full access to the ALA Membership Directory
  • Opportunity to participate in ALA Mentorship Program


Click here for more information on becoming a member of ALA!.