The 2012 Aging in America Conference will provide students and emerging professionals with opportunities to connect with colleagues and gain insights and solutions, in addition to being the place to get a sense of the state of the field of aging.  It is the place to meet the experts and learn about the latest research and best practices.  If you are a student or emerging professional, there are numerous opportunities for you to get involved and to connect with other students and emerging professionals in the field of aging.

The Students and Emerging Professionals Group

The STEP Group serves to advance the educational and professional development opportunities for students and early stage career professionals in aging by:

• Developing your individual leadership skills through service on ASA committees.
• Participating as a mentee through a formal program (modeled on the Chicago Bridge) where volunteers are senior leaders offering guidance and advice.
• Engaging with other students and early stage career professionals through local groups, such as, Chicago Bridge, GenPhilly, Legacy San Francisco, and the Washington D.C.-based Emerging Leaders in Aging.

STEP Events at the 2012 Aging in America Conference

These events are open to all conference attendees, please come join us!  There is no RSVP needed unless otherwise noted.

• Students and Emerging Professionals (STEP) Peer Group
  Wednesday March 28, 2012: 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM, Room: Maryland A (tentative)
• Students and Emerging Professionals (STEP) Networking Event
  Wednesday March 28, 2012: 6:15 PM - 7:30 PM, Room: Maryland A (tentative)
• First-Timers Networking Session
  Thursday, March 29, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Room: Wilson C (tentative)
• Graduate Student Award Poster Session 
  Thursday, March 29, 2012: 11:30 AM
• Students and Emerging Professionals (STEP) Committee Meeting
  Friday March 30, 2012: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM, Room: Capitol Boardroom (tentative)

Other STEP activities

Volunteer at the conference!  Have a friend or colleague who needs help with getting to the conference?  We have many student and emerging professionals who help out as greeters or room monitors. For doing so, new registrants can save 50% off the regular registration fees.  Volunteer responsibilities and applications are available on the website.

You can find ASA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to “meet” other members and friends before the conference and to stay in touch after. Some great discussions going on now!

More Information

For questions about Student and Emerging Professionals opportunities please contact STEP Chair Amy Eisenstein at aeisen3@uic.edu.  For more information about the American Society on Aging, click here.