Providing support and guidance for the next generation of leaders in standardization is crucial to a better future for all. In part three of its ongoing series highlighting resources for emerging standards leaders, ANSI takes a look at some of the latest efforts in the standardization community that help professionals in standards—and the STEM fields that support them.
AIM Establishes Young Professionals Industry Group
AIM, Inc. recently established its Young Professionals Group, recognizing that the industry’s future depends on its ability to attract, engage, and empower young talent.
“By actively involving young professionals in the automatic data capture community, the association ensures a continuous flow of fresh ideas, innovative thinking, and long-term sustainability for the industry,” AIM reported.
The newly launched group will feature interactive workshops, networking events, and knowledge-sharing sessions, offering an opportunity to build and expand a professional network of valuable contacts in a friendly and supportive environment, and gain insights from industry experts and experienced professionals.
Find out more information in an introduction video featuring AIM Global’s Mike Allen on the organization’s Young Professionals webpage.
ASTM Recognizes Professors with Standards Curriculum
Teachers set the stage for future careers in standards! ASTM International honors educators that bring standards into the classroom with its Professor of the Year award. This annual award is given to professors who introduce students to standards and encourage their use. Professor of the Year winners receive an honorarium in the amount of $2,000. The university of the award winner will also receive a $2,000 honorarium. Nominations are now being accepted; the deadline for submissions is August 31.
MSS Scholarships Set the Stage for a Successful Future
Awarded by the Manufacturers Standardization Society of the Valve and Fittings Industry (MSS), the MSS McClinton/Hannafin Scholarship Program allots annual cash award(s) up to $2,000 to multiple engineering and materials science students engaged in undergraduate or graduate level programs (admitted or attending) and interested in the valve and fittings industry.
Interested students who meet the criteria listed on the application form are eligible to apply for the scholarship by submitting a brief essay on “How Has Industry Standardization Affected Public Safety?” along with a completed application and transcript.
The organization reports that the 2026 application process will be open in January 2026.
NASA Turns Learning Experiences into Fun Education
Understanding how operations work can open doors to careers in STEM and standards. From STEMonstrations to air traffic management simulations, NASA offers students and educators a fun way to learn with STEM resources and guides.
These resources are additional to NASA’s STEM toolkit focusing on Advanced Air Mobility for educators and students of all ages, with activities that are aligned with national standards to meet educational requirements in the classroom.
Check out Other ANSI Member Educational Resources for All Career Stages!
Did you know that ANSI has a directory of online education and distance-learning resources provided by ANSI members, accredited standards developers, and other partners? Check out ANSI’s Standards Community Educational Resources webpage and links to the latest resources.
ANSI is proud to support the next generation of standards professionals with its own education programs and resources. ANSI’s Committee on Education works with the entire standards and conformity assessment community to introduce the importance of standards to the academic community and to the public at large, and continually seeks out partnerships and opportunities to engage and inform new constituents of all ages.
Stay tuned to ansi.org for more coverage and share your resources with us at [email protected].
Read more in ANSI’s series for emerging standards professionals:
Fostering New Standards Leadership: More Member Resources for Tomorrow's Trailblazers
Creating a Brighter Future: Supporting the Next Generation of Standards Professionals
