Students from the American Indian Science and Engineering Society left OU Thursday to attend the AISES annual national conference in Portland, Ore. The AISES National Conference runs Oct. 29-31.

The AISES National Conference has several sessions dedicated to self-improvement, as well as a career fair for possible internships and a banquet, said Henry Oliver Tenadooah Ware, AISES public relations officer, in an e-mail.

Jennifer Johnson, chemical engineering senior and AISES member, said she earned an internship from General Mills through a previous AISES career fair.

“This conference is a wonderful opportunity for Native American engineers to network with other Native engineers throughout the country as well as finding a possible summer job,” Ware said.

OU’s AISES chapter is the oldest in the nation, said Mark Yeary, AISES faculty advisor.

“This conference is fantastic,” Yeary said. “It’s a very culturally enlightening meeting that fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas. One thing it does really well is to really encourage students to be very strong and focused in their studies toward science and engineering education.”

The AISES National Conference is intended to: strengthen students’ networks, help them explore their professional options, build for the future, sharpen their skills for today’s competitive job market, exchange ideas critical for success in this economy and to meet individuals who will impact and change their lives, according to the National AISES Web site.

Yeary said AISES at OU has about 35 students, 12 of which usually attend the convention each year.