presents the
AIAA Young Professionals, Students, and Educators (YPSE) Conference
Announcements
Registration for YPSE 2026 is now open!
When:
November 20th 2026
Where:
Kossiakoff Center, 11100 Johns Hopkins Rd, Laurel, MD 20723
We are looking for 15-20 minute technical presentations in any area of interest to the aerospace community by young professionals (age 35 and under), graduate, undergraduate, high school students, and educators. Topics can be technical in nature or focus on Gender, Generation, and Geography (3G+).
Within the 3G+ track, we are looking for presenters who want to share their story and speak on topics including but not limited to under-representative communities in Aerospace, dealing with imposter syndrome/burnout, authenticity, empowerment and outreach, intersectionality etc. We know this is a broad track; we want you all to have the freedom to speak on anything you are passionate about within 3G+.
The titles for the winning technical presentations from past years can be found in the Past Conferences tab. Technical presentations will be scored on various criteria including ability to convey impact of work, demonstrate knowledge of the technical area, methodologies, communication, and more. Awards (Certificate and cash prizes) will be given to exceptional presentations in the various categories listed above.
For questions, contact aiaa.midatlantic+YPSE@gmail.com.
We need volunteers to serve as judges and session chairs. Those interested in volunteering should email aiaa.midatlantic+YPSE@gmail.com for more information.
Important Dates:
Call for abstracts: July 1st, 2026
Early Bird Registration Closes: October 20th, 2026
Abstracts Due: October 27th, 2026
Full Presentations Due: November 16th, 2026
Registration Closes: November 18th, 2026
Conference Date: November 20th, 2026
Sample Agenda for YPSE 2026:
Technical Keynote for YPSE 2026:
Check back later for more information!
The Unwritten Rules of Building Your Early Career:
Presented by the AIAA National Capital Region
Get noticed. Navigate what no one teaches you. Build momentum before you have the title.
Technical skills are only part of building a successful engineering career. Early career professionals are often expected to figure out how to advocate for themselves, build the right relationships, navigate workplace dynamics, recover from setbacks, and grow into leadership without ever being formally taught how.
The Unwritten Rules of Building Your Early Career is a candid, interactive workshop focused on the career lessons that are often learned only through experience. Participants will explore practical strategies for becoming more visible, finding stronger opportunities, building mentors and sponsors, navigating workplace challenges, and developing leadership credibility while their careers are still taking shape.
The discussion is designed around the situations engineering and aerospace professionals actually encounter early in their careers, including the questions people may not always feel comfortable asking in the workplace.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
This workshop is designed for undergraduate and graduate engineering students preparing to enter the workforce, early career engineers, and professionals pursuing aerospace or adjacent technical careers. It is especially relevant for participants who are building their professional foundation, transitioning into their first technical roles, or navigating the next stage of an early career in engineering or aerospace.
WHAT YOU WILL EXPLORE
· How to position yourself for stronger assignments, greater visibility, and better growth opportunities
· How to build mentors, sponsors, and professional networks that can support your career
· How to navigate workplace dynamics and recover from setbacks
· How to advocate for your own professional development and growth
· How to build leadership credibility before you have a formal leadership title
· How to navigate your career as AI continues to reshape technical work
BRING THE CAREER QUESTION YOU WISH YOU COULD ASK AT WORK
This workshop is intended to be candid, practical, and discussion driven. Participants are encouraged to bring questions, situations, and career challenges they would like to explore during the session.
WORKSHOP FORMAT
Interactive discussion, practical career guidance, audience questions, and real world examples focused on the situations early career technical professionals actually face.
EVENT DETAILS
Date
Friday, November 20, 2026
Check-in
2:15 PM
Workshop
2:30 to 4:00 PM ET
Location
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Kossiakoff Center
Laurel, Maryland
Hosted concurrently with the 2026 AIAA Young Professionals, Students, and Educators Conference.
Workshop
2:30 to 4:00 PM ET
Location
Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
Kossiakoff Center
Laurel, Maryland
WORKSHOP REGISTRATION
Workshop registration is free and separate from YPSE conference registration.
Featuring for YPSE 2026:
Check back later for more information!
With Special Thanks to our 2026 Conference Sponsors & Partners:
Maps and Hotel Information
If you are joining us from out of town, the AIAA Region 1 Mid-Atlantic Section recommends the Residence Inn Fulton at Maple Lawn.
Kossiakoff Center
Residence Inn
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