Beau DeLaet in Washington, DC.

This annual conference, which is geared toward young professionals and occurs just before CMAA’s National Conference, presents a wealth of learning opportunities guaranteed to enhance leadership skills and technical abilities.

Attendees heard from industry’s best and brightest on a variety of topics in hour-long sessions throughout the conference Oct. 7-8. "I attended sessions on ethics, mentorship, construction photography, facing fear of failure, and emerging technologies,” says DeLaet. “There was a common theme of expecting and embracing change in our industry.”

Along with other students in the AEC industry, DeLaet took a valuable step in his professional development by attending the conference. In addition to networking with both leaders and other young professionals, he took a walking tour—led by a former architect—of DuPont Circle and Embassy Row and explored monuments around the city.

DeLaet used enrichment funds from his Purdue Stamps Scholarship, which covers the full educational costs of a bachelor’s degree for high-achieving students and provides up to $10,000 for academic enrichment opportunities. DeLaet will graduate with a bachelor of science in construction engineering from Purdue University in May 2018.