D3375: The power of involvement: ESA student opportunities

Institutions’ education programs ensure the development of students’ hard skills to prepare them for the next stages of their career. However, soft skills such as communication, leadership, motivation, ambition, and teamwork are also valuable attributes that can make the difference in a hiring decision. The Entomological Society of America (ESA) provides valuable opportunities for its student members to become active participants in the entomology community, whether through student competition, leadership, or service. Students gain valuable skills while making a positive impact in the entomological community by engaging membership to stay abreast with change. Getting involved in ESA enables students to develop a valuable network and memorable experiences in teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which are highly transferable skills applicable throughout their future academic and professional careers. We would like to highlight the many opportunities ESA has for student involvement within the ESA Student Affairs Committee and beyond, with the hope that students may find an opportunity that best suits their needs and goals.