The 2021 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Virtual College and Career Fair will take place on Friday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (MDT).

The in-person AISES National Conference, which took place in Phoenix on Sept. 23-25, has become the premier event for Indigenous STEM professional and students, attracting attendees from the U.S. and Canada. 

Originally, Office of Legacy Management (LM) personnel had planned to attend the in-person event alongside support contractors to participate in the STEM Day event and the Career Fair Booth Day event. In July, the decision was made that it was unsafe for personnel due to a resurgence of COVID-19, and LM decided to participate in the virtual Career Fair Booth Day planned for Oct. 15. The STEM Day event was not available as a virtual event.

Booth exhibitors who attended the conference in person were given the option to have a virtual booth space on Oct. 15. It is anticipated that more than 160 virtual booth spaces will be available for interested virtual conference-goers.

This is the second year that LM is participating virtually. Last year, the conference was held entirely virtually.  LM Senior Public Affairs Specialist Shawn Montgomery joined contracting staff during the virtual event to answer questions from conference attendees. This year, as everyone has become familiar with interacting virtually, more interest and interaction is anticipated.

“While we prefer to interact personally with conference attendees, for us again this year, a virtual format will allow us to continue to participate in the conference and interact with conference attendees,” Montgomery said. “This is one of our favorite conferences. We are able to showcase our work with our Tribal partners and visit with students about STEM and internship opportunities.”

Angelita Denny and Bernadette Tsosie, both LM site managers, will be available for questions and information alongside support contractors during the Career Fair Booth Day. Both have been attending the conference since they were in college.

Career Fair booth space was designed by LM graphic designers specifically for the AISES conference. The virtual career fair booth will be equipped with links to videos, brochures that can be downloaded, and information about internships.  The LM team will be able to chat, voice, or video call with attendees during the fair.