Secrets of Success: The “Material Advantage” of Iowa State University’s Student Chapter

By Lynne Robinson, Materials Technology@TMS News Writer

Material Advantage is a professional development opportunity for materials engineering students that provides access to The American Ceramic Society (ACerS), Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST), ASM International, and The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) for one, low-cost membership fee. Additional information can be accessed at the Material Advantage website.

Scott Chumbley summarizes the success behind Iowa State University’s (ISU) Material Advantage chapter in three words:

Students. Students. Students.

“We have great students who do it all,” said Chumbley, faculty advisor for the chapter and a professor in ISU’s Materials Science and Engineering Department. “The success is entirely theirs in arranging speakers, visiting plants, and sponsoring various activities.

“I just sign whatever they tell me to sign.”

An Amazing Track Record
Considered a Material Advantage juggernaut, ISU has been named outstanding chapter five years in a row. Its event calendar is stuffed with everything from monthly meetings with a guest speaker, to presentations to home school groups, to intramural broomball. That variety—and sense of camaraderie that springs from sharing these experiences—is the chapter’s particular “advantage” in sustaining student involvement and excitement, according to Anne Stockdale, the current president.

ISU Material Advantage chapter members are all smiles at MS&T ’08.

ISU students confer during Congressional Visit Days 2008.

Enjoying a sushi dinner together is one way that ISU sustains the vitality of its chapter.

Students at a 2008 TMS leadership workshop.

“We strongly encourage students to join during their freshman and sophomore years,” she said. “We also make sure to have a wide variety of outreach events and social activities. These allow older and younger students to meet and get acquainted. By doing so, our chapter has grown tremendously over the last couple years. We also have become closer friends, making the events that much more fun.”

Stockdale herself joined the chapter in her sophomore year, encouraged by older students to participate. Today, a senior double majoring in Materials Engineering and Chemistry, with a minor in Russian Studies, Stockdale said, “By making connections early, I was able to better focus my educational career and take advantage of as many different opportunities as possible before graduation. I feel much more prepared for the workforce than I would if I had not been involved.”

Strength Through Friendship
Stockdale said that much of this preparation takes place during the chapter’s travels to major conferences and events, such as the Materials Science and Technology (MS&T) Conference, the TMS Annual Meeting, and Congressional Visit Days. Peppered between these large-scale activities are industry tours, information sessions about graduate school and job opportunities, and monthly membership meetings—with every detail being managed by the students.

“I think participating in these events benefits the students in a number of ways,” said Chumbley. “The field trips to industry sites give them a look at the real world. Trips to conventions let them see the research aspect of materials. Interacting with people from both sides gives them excellent contacts, whether they want to get a job upon graduation or move on to graduate school. For the officers, it gives them their first experience with arranging trips and meetings, dealing with budgets, logistics—a lot of soft skills that aren't typically taught in an engineering curriculum.”

Although career development is paramount for the chapter, the glue that holds the membership together is clearly evident at the neighborhood pizza place or “capture the flag” field. “We have been very strong in recruiting younger students and keeping them interested through a variety of social activities and networking events,” said Stockdale. “At the end of every month, we have a Friday After Class event where we go to a local pizzeria for a couple hours to hang out with friends, socialize, and of course, eat pizza. This gives everyone a chance to unwind from a stressful week and meet other members who may not be able to attend other events.

“We also compete in intramurals, and although not all members compete, we normally have quite a few who show up to the games to give support,” she continued. “Each month we also try to have another activity such as a movie night, holiday party, or a friendly competition against another student group on campus. The main focus of these is to increase membership, to provide networking opportunities among students—and to have fun.”

The "Advantage" of Life Experiences
According to Chumbley, another beneficial way that the chapter develops young professionals is through its commitment to charitable causes. “Our Material Advantage members participate in a number of charity events throughout the year, which is important in developing a well-rounded individual with civic responsibilities,” he said.

Stockdale, who is also a member of Engineers without Borders and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, agrees. “Our goal is to encourage members to give back to the community,” she said. “This, in turn, provides many leadership opportunities, as well as promotes professional ethics.” Chapter outreach activities include presenting materials engineering demonstrations for students of all ages, serving as peer mentors for underclassmen, and participating as a group in charity events, such as Relay for Life and Adopt-A-Family.

From personal experience, Stockdale believes the engineering demonstrations are particularly valuable. “I first saw these demonstrations when I was in fifth grade,” she said. “From that point on, I knew I was going to be a materials engineer.”

Chumbley echoed this observation that supporting a strong student organization offered reciprocal benefits to the profession, as well as the university. “I think the exposure and publicity our chapter has brought to the department and university is one reason we have moved up in the national rankings,” he said. “Iowans are inclined to be somewhat modest about their abilities and achievements. ISU has always had a good program, but I think the recent success of the student chapter is making others aware of just how good it is.”

Stockdale said that university support has contributed significantly to the chapter’s continuity, but also noted that, at the end of the day, the ultimate success or failure of the group rests with its students. “Leadership is key,” she said. “We have had great success in electing strong leaders with great visions for the organization. A professor once told me leadership is doing something with others, and not wanting something from others. So, I try to inspire our cabinet members to be creative and take initiative in their positions.”

Creativity and initiative are also qualities that Chumbley cited in his advice to universities seeking to build their own Material Advantage chapters: “Take time to recruit excellent students, give them freedom, encouragement, and opportunities to explore the field of materials, and they will do the rest.”

Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa. Additional information about ISU’s Material Advantage chapter can be found on this website.

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