Reflecting on my time at AIAA SciTech 2026, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to engage with so many different aspects of the conference. Over the course of the week, I attended technical paper sessions, keynote talks, the Career Accelerator event, and spent time networking with professionals and fellow students throughout the expo hall. Each experience contributed something different, but together they reinforced why SciTech continues to be such a meaningful space for learning, growth, and connection within the aerospace community.
One of the most impactful parts of my experience was participating in the Career Accelerator event. This event brought together students at similar stages in their education, many of whom are navigating the transition from academia into the workforce. It was reassuring to be surrounded by peers asking the same questions about networking, interviewing, and how to confidently present themselves as early-career engineers. The day began with a keynote from Hillary Coe, Chief Marketing Officer at Vast, who spoke about the importance of storytelling in engineering. She emphasized that technical excellence alone is not always enough and that the ability to communicate ideas clearly to non-engineers is often what determines whether a project succeeds. Drawing from her background in film school and her experience working in large technology and aerospace companies, she shared how storytelling can bridge the gap between engineers, their work, and the people who ultimately benefit from it.
Following the keynote, I attended a panel focused on practical steps students can take to apply for positions, prepare for interviews, and successfully land a job. Hearing advice from multiple professionals with different career paths was especially valuable. The panel highlighted that there are many ways to build a career in aerospace and engineering. The discussion reinforced the importance of being open to learning from both rejection and success.
Later that day, I attended the Meet the Employers event, where students had the opportunity to speak directly with recruiters and engineers from a wide range of aerospace companies, engineering firms, and national laboratories. These conversations provided insight into what different organizations value, how roles vary across industries, and what skills students can begin developing now to better prepare themselves for future opportunities. It was encouraging and one of my favorite parts of the conference.
Another highlight of my week was participating in the Higher Orbits panel. As a Go For Launch alum, I was excited to share my experience and talk about how the program influenced my academic and research path. Being able to speak about an organization that played such a formative role in my journey and hopefully inspire others to get involved was incredibly meaningful. Before and after the panel, I also spent time talking with exhibitors across the expo hall, including universities, research groups, and companies. These informal conversations offered insight into current research interests, educational programs, and the broader priorities shaping the aerospace field.
Overall, AIAA SciTech 2026 was a reminder that conferences are not just about presenting research or attending lectures. They are about people, shared curiosity, and learning how to communicate ideas beyond technical reports. I left the conference feeling more confident in my direction and grateful for the conversations and connections that made the experience so rewarding.
Written By Stellar Student Leia Spaniak
