The call for NEM Ontario 2024 events is still open!
With the help of our amazing volunteers, thousands of engineering students and professionals attended National Engineering Month Ontario events this past March.
We want to see those numbers grow next year, but we can’t do it without YOU! Have you considered leading an event at NEM 2024?
Now’s your chance to become an event leader
Did you know that leading an event is a great opportunity to show off your engineering skills, learn something new, and meet & connect with others in the industry?
You can even get up to $500 to fund your event. Maybe you have been considering running an event but haven’t submitted your event application yet. If so, make sure to send it in before the January 12th deadline.
So, what kind of events can you lead?
National Engineering Month Ontario events are designed for post-secondary students and engineering professionals, so with that in mind…anything goes! We love having panels where experts talk about their careers in engineering or industry; fireside chats where attendees can ask questions; skill-building workshops where they can learn new things, and more.
Here are 6 types of events that have worked really well in the past.
1. Panel discussions
Panel discussions involve a group of people gathered to discuss a topic in front of an audience. Panels usually include a moderator who guides the discussion and sometimes elicits audience questions, with the goal of being informative and entertaining.
Panels are a great way to feature your subject matter experts, showcase your thought leadership on a particular topic, and communicate your unique perspectives.
2. Fireside chats
A fireside chat is a personal and interactive discussion involving a moderator and guest, allowing an audience to gain insights into the guest’s personal stories and thoughts on various topics. Fireside chats allow you to share useful information with an audience.
Fireside chats often come in Q&A formats, making the audience think about the questions being asked. By answering these questions during the conversation, the guest will impart useful information to your audience. Since these chats are conversations, speakers are generally more at ease, which helps to create closer connections between your guest and the audience.
3. Skill-building workshops
Lifelong learning is essential in engineering. Did you know that skill-building workshops are a great way to brush up on your existing capabilities, dive deep into a topic area, or learn something new? For example, you could run an event on effective communication in engineering, or a seminar on effective ways to handle conflict in the workforce.
4. Engineering competitions
Students enrolled in engineering degree programs across Ontario can lead an event under the NEM 2024 Student Engineering Challenge. In this annual competition, students work with their local engineering society to lead competitions at their school. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what type of competition they can run. As for the type of events, this could be a hackathon, a project-based competition, or other ideas students want to dream up!
How it works: Students compete in groups of up to 5 other students for a chance to win cash prizes of up to $3,000.
5. Case studies or research presentations
Case studies can serve as an excellent marketing tool for your company to engage existing and potential customers. The challenge is learning how to tell your story in an interesting way. People love a good story, therefore a genuinely interesting event will inspire, impress and inform. And, like all the best stories, case studies should comprise three parts: a beginning, middle, and end. You can also tie your case study to topics that are getting a lot of attention in the field (for example, artificial intelligence, climate change, diversity & inclusion, etc.).
6. Networking events
Making connections with other professionals is an important part of growing your engineering career. Knowing people in your field or industry could help you get job referrals or other opportunities. The first step toward meeting other professionals is attending networking events. As an engineer, it’s good to step outside your direct area of expertise and meet other professionals. Networking events are a great opportunity to gather together and make connections. Networking events can have different formats. Some are more casual and give people time to converse with one another. Others are more structured and could feature a lecture or presentation.
Still unsure what event you want to run?
That’s completely ok! You can start your applications now and fill in the details later. To qualify for the $500 in funding you will need to submit your application by January 12, 2024.
Do you have more questions?
Check out the FAQs on our website or email us at letstalk@nemontario.ca.
Learn. Grow. Thrive. Together.
Next March, we have the opportunity to create a space where engineering students and professionals can share knowledge and collaborate with their peers. It’s a chance to share tools and best practices, find others facing similar challenges, and offer advice that can help others in their careers. And it all starts with you—with people like you, who are passionate about your profession, are willing to share that passion with others, and are willing to lead a National Engineering Month Ontario event to help make it happen.
For more information about National Engineering Month Ontario events, please visit nemontario.ca.
