Engineers must be proficient, professionally astute, and clearly aware of their responsibility to society. Student Professional Awareness Conferences (S-PACs) explore the subjects that affect engineers' careers, regardless of how well engineers prepare themselves technically.

First introduced in 1979, S-PACs are an effective vehicle to transmit the professional awareness that enhances the technical education they receive in engineering school. S-PACs permit students to learn from the varied experience of successful engineers.

The conferences have potential to increase student membership and to encourage ongoing participation in IEEE. S-PACs are becoming a strong force for improving the electrical engineering profession over the coming years.

Here at URI, S-PACs have been hosted annually since 2000 (and one in 1994).