AISTECH YOUNG PROFESSIONALS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

Since 2017, AIST has hosted a Young Professionals Roundtable at AISTech. The roundtable gave Young Professionals an opportunity to connect and discuss ideas about how AIST can support them as they grow their careers in the steel industry. This program and approach served our early-career iron and steel professionals well for many years; however, the formal Young Professionals Membership Committee, as well as its subcommittees, have now become the primary forum for exchanging and evaluating these ideas and providing further support and resources, rather than utilizing AISTech for this purpose.

In light of this evolution, AIST will hold soft skills training as well as an innovation workshop geared toward Young Professionals concurrently from 3 to 4 p.m., and again from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. 

Advance registration is required and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. There will be a maximum capacity of 50 Young Professionals per session.

AIST Members: US$25

Non-Members: US$35

Agenda:

Session 1:   3–4 p.m.

Break:          4–4:15 p.m.

Session 2:   4:15–5:15 p.m.

Reception:   5:30–6:30 p.m.

Professional Development Hours

This program may qualify for up to 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) credit. Upon completion, attendees may request a certificate outlining the PDH credits earned. Please note, it is the responsibility of the attendee to verify with their certifying body whether these courses meet their requirements.

Session A:

Young Professionals Innovation Challenge Workshop

Step into a fast-paced, interactive experience designed for emerging leaders in the industry. In this Innovation Challenge Workshop, registrants will tackle a real-world, industry-relevant prompt and collaborate in small teams to develop a creative, practical solution. Teams will pitch their ideas directly to members of AIST’s Board of Directors, gaining valuable exposure while sharpening problem-solving, teamwork, and presentation skills. Come ready to think boldly, collaborate with peers, and showcase your ideas in front of senior leaders in the industry. Prizes will be awarded to the winning groups at the end of each session!

Session B:

Get On The Bull: Navigating the Line Between Grit & Burnout

Early careers come with big goals and constant pressure — but pushing harder isn’t always the answer. In this high-energy, interactive session, leadership expert Dallin Cooper helps young professionals learn how to embrace challenges without burning out.

Using the metaphor of bull riding, Dallin explores the fine line between healthy grit and overwork and shares practical tools to manage pressure, navigate uncertainty, and perform at a high level without losing balance. This isn’t a traditional mental health talk — it’s a real-world framework for building resilience, staying focused, and thriving both at work and beyond.