Expanding opportunities for chemical engineers

Just a few years ago, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers organization at Arizona State University, known as AIChE, had less than 10 members attend each meeting. Today, the club boasts over 200 members, and hosts industry speakers, professional development workshops, and networking events. 

According to club president Addison Sanora, a chemical engineering student in the School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy within the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at ASU,  the club’s growth is the result of increased visibility and stronger industry relationships. 

“Before this year, about seven people max would attend our meetings,” Sanora says. “This year we’ve flipped the narrative.” 

Much of that growth can be attributed to the organization’s efforts to strengthen its presence both on campus and within the engineering industry. 

Building a reputation

“We’ve been focusing a lot on connecting with industry through LinkedIn,” Sanora says. “It helps not only industry take us seriously as an organization, but ASU professors and department chairs as well. We’ve been able to put a lot of members in research positions at ASU that way.” 

As the club gained visibility, companies began approaching AIChE directly with opportunities for its members. 

“In the beginning we did a lot of reaching out through email to companies,” Sanora says. “Now we’ve gotten to the point where industry reaches out to us saying ‘Hey, I think this opportunity would be great for your members. Can we come to give a talk?’”

In January, AIChE members toured the APS power station near ASU’s Tempe campus, gaining first hand exposure to engineering work in the energy industry. “ASU alumni that work at APS actually reached out to us to schedule the tour,” Sanora says. “We were able to take 11 members, and we got to see firsthand what they work on.” 

Opportunities like the APS tour allow members to build connections with industry professionals, fellow students and ASU faculty. 

“The networking opportunities this club has given me is my greatest takeaway,” Sanora says. “Not only through industry and my fellow members, but even ASU faculty like to show their support. Many professors attend our banquets and events.” 

Although it’s in the name, AIChE welcomes all majors to join. The club attracts students from a variety of engineering disciplines and related fields.

 “There’s a lot of overlap with materials science and environmental engineering,” Sanora says. “Not only do people in these majors join our club, we get industry involvement from multidisciplinary fields.” 

The organization’s focus is to connect students with professionals who can provide insight into the field. “Our goal with having more professional development is to help our members understand what a chemical engineer really does,” Sanora says. “We reach out to recent ASU graduates so they can share their experiences, and our members get to talk to someone who has been in their shoes before.” 

Not only do companies present opportunities to the club, they actively hire members. 

According to Sanora, interacting with industry representatives gives students chances to build relationships and refine their networking skills. Unlike a traditional career fair, where students may only have brief conversations with recruiters, AIChE members interact with companies closely throughout the academic year. 

“I know for sure that Intel has hired a few of our members, and Chem Treat, TSMC, and Gore have hired our members too,” Sanora says. “It’s a good incentive for members to stay active in the club, because it makes them more likely to land an internship with a company that knows us.” 

From internships to impact

Though professional development is a main focus of the club, AIChE hosts social events designed to connect students with their peers. Activities such as ice skating, paint nights, and other social gatherings provide members with a break from academics and a chance to meet new people. 

As AIChE continues to grow, Sanora hopes the club will expand its impact beyond ASU, through K-12 outreach programs and community engagement. Not only does interacting with the local community get prospective students interested in engineering, it also increases the club’s visibility. 

“Our goal is to do more K-12 outreach,” Sanora says. “It helps us get our name out there to future ASU students, and it helps inspire them to pursue a degree in STEM.”