Why Industry Conferences Matter for Students: Learning, Connections and Career Opportunities
By Jacinta Fitzgerald (from her presentation at the 2026 Power Up Summit in July
For undergraduate and PhD students, some of the most valuable career learning happens outside the lecture theatre. Industry conferences provide an opportunity to step beyond university studies and see the power sector in action. They bring together engineers, researchers, industry leaders, organisations and students to discuss emerging technologies, major challenges and the future direction of the sector.
During the 2026 Power Up Summit, University of Melbourne electrical engineering student and Power Up Scholar Jacinta Fitzgerald shared her experience attending energy and power conferences and why she believes students should seek out these opportunities early in their careers. Jacinta is specialising in low-carbon power systems and works as an engineering intern at AEMO. Her message to students was simple: go, learn, be curious and make connections.
See beyond what you learn at university
One of the greatest benefits of attending a conference is exposure to the sheer breadth of the power sector. Jacinta told Summit participants that attending conferences had “entirely changed” her perspective of the energy and power industry, introducing her to roles, companies, organisations and areas of work she had never previously considered.
University gives students an essential technical foundation, but a conference can help put that learning into a much bigger context. Conference programs can span everything from renewable energy zones and power system technologies to community engagement, electric vehicles, data centres and emerging research. Exhibition halls also provide the chance to see equipment and technology up close, while keynote presentations and technical sessions offer insights from people actively shaping the sector. For students still working out where their interests might take them, that exposure can be invaluable. As Jacinta explained:“You want to come out with 10 different mindsets.” Her advice is to stay curious and be open to topics you may never have considered before.
Build your professional network before you graduate
Conferences aren't only about what happens on stage.They provide students with an unusual opportunity to meet people from across the industry, from other students and early career professionals through to technical specialists, project leaders and senior executives.
For students attending their first conference, walking into a room filled with industry professionals can understandably feel intimidating. Jacinta acknowledged that conferences can initially be “overwhelming and daunting”, but encouraged students to start small.
You don't need a polished elevator pitch or an impressive list of achievements. Simply introduce yourself as a student, ask someone what they do, enquire about something you've seen at an exhibition stand or ask about their day-to-day work. Being a student can actually make starting these conversations easier. “I’m just a student, but I’m curious to learn.”
That curiosity is enough to begin a conversation. Jacinta also encouraged students to follow up afterwards when they make a connection. It doesn't need to be a request for a job. A simple message saying that you enjoyed meeting someone can be the beginning of a professional relationship. And those connections can lead somewhere unexpected.
As Jacinta put it, a conversation might eventually lead to “an internship, or if not, at least a connection that could snowball into another opportunity.”
Don't only network 'up'
One of Jacinta's most important pieces of advice was also one of the simplest: connect with other students. Through The API's TJ Effeney Award, Jacinta previously attended a major power systems conference in Adelaide alongside students from across Australia. While she gained exposure to cutting-edge research and industry facilities, she said one of the most valuable parts of the experience was meeting her peers. Students naturally think networking means meeting hiring managers, senior engineers or executives. But the students sitting next to you at a conference may become your colleagues and collaborators throughout your career. Jacinta reflected that today's students are entering the sector at the same time and could spend the next 20 or 30 years solving problems together. Building those peer relationships now can therefore be just as important as networking with people already established in the industry.
How to get the most from your first conference
A large conference program can be overwhelming, particularly when several interesting sessions are running simultaneously. Jacinta's number one practical tip is to prepare before you arrive. Look through the agenda, identify the sessions and speakers that interest you, research organisations or topics you don't recognise and create a rough plan for your day. Bring something to take notes with and capture ideas, terminology and people you may want to research or contact afterwards. Most importantly, accept that you can't see everything.
Give yourself permission to explore, ask questions and change your plans when an unexpected conversation or topic catches your attention.
The TJ Effeney Award: your opportunity to experience it yourself
The good news is that students currently have an opportunity to put Jacinta's advice into action. Applications are now open for The API's 2026 TJ Effeney Award, created in honour of the late Terry Effeney and supported by the Effeney Family and Energy Queensland (Ergon Energy and Energex). This year's Award will bring together a national group of 25 students, including five PhD students from selected universities, to attend EESA EECON 2026 in Brisbane on 10–11 November. Successful recipients receive flights, accommodation and conference registration, along with activities organised by The API.
The Award reflects three values that closely mirror the benefits Jacinta described: developing knowledge, building connections and supporting others by sharing what you learn with the wider community. Applications are open to current Power Up Scholarship holders, registered Power Up Community members, Powerful Women in STEM participants and undergraduate students studying a power sector-related degree. Applications close Sunday, 27 September 2026. For students wondering whether they're experienced enough to attend an industry conference, Jacinta's Power Up Summit presentation offered perhaps the best reassurance:
it's okay to be a student.
You don't need to arrive knowing everything. Go prepared to listen, ask questions, meet people and discover parts of the industry you didn't know existed. One conference could introduce you to a new technology, a future colleague, a potential employer or even a career path you hadn't considered.
Ready to experience an industry conference for yourself?
Applications close Sunday, 27 September 2026.
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