2015 Annual Student Conference Experience: Yörükcan Erbay

By Yörükcan Erbay

I am very grateful for AIChE for awarding me with an International Student Leadership Grant which allowed me to participate to in the 2015 Annual Student Conference in Utah. This one-week experience opened my eyes about chemical engineering more than anything that I could learn from my classes alone. Having a rather small department at my home university, it was very fun and exciting to be with over one thousand other students from around the world, who shared my passion and excitement about this profession.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned was the importance of networking no matter what area of chemical engineering I end up working in. Luckily, I became very good friends with all of the grant winners and I now will have life-long colleagues from all the continents who I look forward to getting together with at future AIChE events. Also, we were granted access to a special reception for AIChE volunteer leaders and staff. This was the perfect opportunity to get advice and listen to the stories of the most successful seniors in the field.

International AIChE Students at the Student Conference Bash


During multiple sessions at the conference, and the social events that followed, I had a chance to exchange ideas with other student chapters about the activities we carry out. I got so pumped up that I immediately called my friends back at home to tell them about the great ideas I heard about at these conversations.  Also, I am very eager this semester to be involved in more of the annual competitions of AIChE such as Chem-E-Car and the video, design and app contests.

Overall, I was very proud to be introduced to everyone as a grant winner, and everyone was very supportive and eager to hear our stories. A thousand thanks to AIChE for this unforgettable, warm hospitality.