General Inquiry Questions ASM Emerging Professionals Committee Frequently Asked Questions 1. What is the purpose of the Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC)? The Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC) provides an opportunity for young ASM members to become involved with ASM beyond the local chapter. The Committee seeks to expose members to ASM at the national level and allow them to see the inner workings of a successful international professional society. The networking opportunities developed at this level help members to identify committees and areas within ASM in which they are interested. The committee also serves as a catalyst for developing and promoting the early career professional community. 2. Where can I find more information on the Emerging Professionals Committee (EPC)? You can find basic information about the Emerging Professionals Committee on our webpage: http://www.asminternational.org/emergingprofessionals/ For more information, you are encouraged to contact the EPC chair, Erin Camponeschi. Alternatively, you can contact Chapters@asminternational.org. 3. Can you speak to the pros and cons of the committee? The EPC has many advantages: it provides a transitional stage into professional membership from your student experience. As an EPC member, you will network at national and international levels, engage the in-depth workings of ASM, find multiple leadership opportunities, and meet a remarkable group of new friends early-career professionals that just like you. The committee provides opportunities for access to seasoned professionals as well as allows you to have a voice in the development of resources and products from ASM, targeted at the Emerging Professional Community. It would be hard to name any disadvantages; however, you may want to consider whether the additional commitment and responsibility within the Society are right for you. 4. Why did the current members join, and what have you gotten out of it? Each EPC member has a unique story and motivation for joining the committee. We encourage you to read current members testimonials on our webpage. 5. I am already involved with my local ASM chapter, what additional benefit is there to getting involved with the EPC? An immediate benefit is your participation on an international scale and the broader vision that the Society provides. When you are selected to the EPC you start to interact closely and regularly with other early-career professionals from around the country and around the world. Networking within the ASM committee structure is a valuable
experience, particularly because these committees make decisions that affect the entire organization, not just your local materials community. 6. How is this committee different from similar initiatives at other materials organizations? You can imagine the Emerging Professionals Committee as a subset of early career professionals within the entire ASM International community. We exist in part to build relevant programming, resources and products for the early career professional demographic and to facilitate further interaction between the community and ASM International as a whole. 7. What is the EPC's relationship to ASM's affiliate societies? May I apply as a member of an affiliate society? Is there any kind of "conflict", such as membership in other societies, which could disqualify me should I decide to apply? Members of affiliate societies under ASM International s umbrella are encouraged to apply so long as they fulfill other requirements such as professional-member status (i.e. not a student member) and five years or less since completion of post-secondary education. There are no conflicts in regards to other professional societies the Emerging Professionals Committee exists within ASM International it is independent of the other professional societies you may be a member of or have an interest in working with. Many of the current EPC members are also actively involved in the governance of other professional societies. 8. Is the EPC a separate, stand-alone ASM committee? Yes, the Emerging Professionals Committee transitioned from Program to Committee level in 2008. 9. Does the EPC have local chapters? No, the EPC functions at the national level. All of our members are in turn members of their respective local ASM professional chapters. However, a subset of the EPC is active in developing young member involvement at the local chapter level. 10. Can you send me meeting minutes (or other similar documents) that describe or relate a typical meeting / event for the EPC so I can see what is involved? Our monthly meetings allow us to review all of the current action items for our subcommittee work as well as any urgent matters that have come up during the previous month. Specific meeting minutes are not available for public view but you may contact our Committee Chair, Erin Camponeschi, or Chapters@asminternational.org. In turn, they can refer you to other EPC members if you are interested in specific events or projects currently under way. 11. Is the EPC limited to professionals with a degree in materials science or metallurgy? Does it matter what level or type of degree I have (BS, MS, or PhD)? You do not have to have a degree in materials to join the EPC, but you must be a member of ASM. Your level of formal education has no bearing on your eligibility or likeliness of being selected for the committee. The EPC is open to anyone who is transitioning from a student to a professional membership (up to 5 years post graduation) and just like the
Society as a whole, the EPC is made up of professionals with a broad range of backgrounds (academia, large corporate, government, national labs, and small business). We encourage ASM members from any education background to apply and we have members with BS, MS, and PhD's all that is required is a desire to be involved and an interest in the future of ASM International. 12. I live overseas can I still apply? How do you get together to organize and execute events at the ASM National Meeting if we live in different parts of the world? ASM is an international society, and so is the Emerging Professionals Committee. The EPC participates in a monthly conference call to align efforts and keep track of projects, but also collaborate off-line by e-mail or telephone. Additionally, the ASM staff at Materials Park provides free logistic support, electronic document storage, etc. 13. How large is the Emerging Professionals Committee in terms of membership? ASM s goal is to maintain a core group of approximately fifteen individuals. The exact figure may change slightly depending on committee needs. In addition, the EPC requires that applicants serve on the EPC sub-committees. 14. What happens if I am selected and decide after a few months that the EPC really isn t for me? The EPC is designed to allow members to determine their level of involvement you decide which efforts to get involved with. If after a few months of being in the committee you decide the current situation is not working, you are free to try something different there are many subcommittees to choose from. If all else fails, the EPC is a volunteer committee if you decide that you no longer wish to be involved, you may resign your position. Application Process 1. How does the application process get started? Do you just contact the current EPC chair or staff liaison or is there a process to follow? To get started in the committee you need to submit an application as described on the website. If you have any questions about the application, please feel free to contact the current EPC chair, Erin Camponeschi or Chapters@asminternational.org, but it is not necessary to contact anyone in order to begin the application process. If you are selected for the committee, you will receive a welcome packet in the weeks following the selection notification that contains useful orientation materials for new members. 2. I was going to submit an application, but the deadline was already past due. Will there be additional opportunities to apply? The deadline for applications (February 1 st, 2013) is strictly enforced to ensure fairness in the selection process. If you miss the deadline, you are encouraged to apply for next year s class the eligibility criteria offer a wide five year window of opportunity postgraduation. ASM wants to strengthen this group of professionals and makes great efforts in attracting qualified candidates every year, so please re-submit next year! We would also encourage you to contact the EPC to inform them of your desire to volunteer time to the society. The EPC maintains a list of volunteer opportunities and can refer you to
other committees who are looking for new volunteers. If you already have an interest in a particular area, we can make that connection for you 3. What is the protocol for submitting my letter of recommendation? Should the author just send it to the appropriate email address with my name identified in the email? It is preferable to have the applicant submit all materials as one complete package, to ensure that nothing is lost or separated. However, if it is not feasible or practical to submit everything together, sending individual parts of the application separately is perfectly acceptable just be sure to include your name and email address on all materials so that the entire application can be assembled after submission. Any questions about this can be directed to Chapters@asminternational.org. 4. What are the chances of my application being selected? ASM wants to strengthen this group of professionals and makes great efforts in attracting qualified candidates from across the materials community every year to serve on the core group of the EPC. The process is competitive but due consideration is given to each and every candidate, so do not hesitate and submit your application materials! There are also opportunities within ASM for those not selected as core members to still take an active part in the professional society. Any questions about this can be directed to Chapters@asminternational.org. 5. I already know a member of the EPC. Does that give me an edge over other applicants? No preference is given to applicants who know someone currently serving in the EPC. Applicants are judged solely on their application package and the dynamic skills they can bring to the committee. Our application criteria are defined so applicants can emphasize these elements. 5. I ve applied for membership in the EPC when will I know if my application has been selected? Applications are reviewed by the New Member Conversion subcommittee, the EPC as a whole, and by ASM. Final decisions will be made and communicated to applicants by the end of June 2013. EPC Activities & Events 1. What's the typical time commitment per month on EPC activities? A one-hour telephone conference is held each month to conduct the business of the EPC. In addition, members put in various amounts of time in between conference calls to perform the duties of their respective sub-committees. As with other professional volunteer activities, your level of involvement may vary as you see fit, depending on your time availability. Finally, EPC members are urged to attend the ASM Annual Meeting at MS&T each fall to take part in the EPC sponsored symposium as well as onsite committee meetings to help plan for the following year. 2. Do EPC participants serve on other ASM committees during the term?
Yes, in fact many of our members have served on additional ASM committees prior to joining the EPC. However, it is not a prerequisite for participation. Future involvement in ASM committee activities is one of the main goals of the EPC. EPC members can attend other committee meetings of their choice while at the Annual Meeting (required during the first year, optional for ensuing years). This committee shadowing opportunity allows EPC members to better understand how the committees function and provides the means to continue their involvement with ASM at the international level. 3. Is there any travel required? How much and where? Travel is not required to conduct regular business. Instead, we hold monthly conference calls. It is expected, however, that the selectees attend the annual MS&T conference in the fall. 4. Is funding available for attending MS&T? Does it only cover travel, or conference registration cost as well? No, funding is not available for committee members as determined by ASM International. Costs associated with travel, lodging and conference registration costs are not covered, but many members find that their companies or local ASM chapters are willing to offset some of the costs associated with involvement in their professional organizations. Applicants and members of the EPC are encouraged to inquire with their employers and their local chapters about such opportunities.