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“Networking with alumni from the chapter and with IEEE as a professional after graduation,” “the ideas for building community and leveraging our various networks” and “collaborate with local chapters” were just a few of the key takeaways expressed by students who attended the 2022 IEEE-Eta Kappa Nu (HKN) Student Leadership Conference 28-30 October 2022, held at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, US. The conference broke attendance records with more than 250 students, advisors, recruiters, IEEE Society members, HKN Board members and staff gathered for two-plus days of learning, networking and community building. 

As its first in-person gathering since 2019, the 2022 HKN Student Leadership Conference attracted participants from 54 chapters from 5 countries. Funding generously provided by the Samueli Foundation helped to offset registration and travel costs for chapters. 

The 2022 HKN Student Leadership Conference provided chapter officers and members opportunities to hone leadership skills, connect with each other, and hear from industry experts on how to prepare for their future careers. A robust recruitment fair offered students the chance to meet with more than 26 potential employers, IEEE Societies and graduate schools. Silas Perry, a junior at the University of Nebraska studying computer engineering, said, “The IEEE-HKN conference was a life changing event. “Summing up the impact the conference had on him, he said, “I would have never had the opportunity to meet such lovely people, nor such fantastic companies. I walked away from the conference with new friends, opportunities and ideas for my chapter Beta-Psi.” Close to 98% of students responding to a post-conference survey stated that they are highly likely to encourage other chapter mates to attend next year’s Student Leadership Conference. 

HKN is the honor society of IEEE founded in 1904, HKN merged with IEEE in 2010. Today IEEE-HKN has more than 269 chapters around the world, and more than 200,000 members and alumni. The HKN program is fueled by philanthropy and generous corporate and industry donors; your support is critical to developing the leader in our community. To discuss how to support HKN, contact Michael Deering at m.deering@ieee.org or +1 732-562-3915