February is not only the month of love. It is also the month when the air is filled with a different kind of passion—the love for research. Next year marks the 15th annual Career, Research, Innovation, and Development Conference (CRIDC) at Georgia Tech. CRIDC is the product of a collaboration between the Graduate Student Government Association (GSGA) and the Office of Graduate Education. CRIDC is a professional development event designed to equip on-campus and online graduate students of all degree types with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in the constantly evolving job market. CRIDC helps prepare the next generation of technology leaders by inspiring discussion and collaboration among students and industry experts and connecting graduate students with professionals in research, industry, consulting, government, nonprofits, and entrepreneurship.  

After dedicating countless hours to labs and research endeavors, students consider CRIDC a valuable opportunity to communicate their research to a non-technical audience. One highly anticipated segment of the conference is the poster competition, that provides    a unique opportunity to refine their communication skills by presenting their research to non-technical audiences. Beyond the intrinsic value of sharing their work, winners stand a chance to receive travel grants, ranging from $500 to $2,000, that can be used to cover expenses for research-related travel. Last year, the competition distributed a substantial $43,000 worth of research travel grants to deserving winners. 

 The Conference extends beyond a poster competition and features the Innovation Competition that is sponsored by VentureLab of Georgia Tech’s Office of Commercialization. The Innovation Competition is open to all graduate students who attend the Atlanta campus and are participating in the in-person CRIDC conference, whose research has the potential for market applications. The winner of the Innovation Competition will receive $1000 and an invitation to participate in Startup Launch, a summer program providing commercialization training, support, and funding to GT research teams. Two runners-up will each receive $500 prizes. 

CRIDC also includes a networking luncheon and career panels, offering attendees the chance to connect with professionals in various fields and gain insights into potential career paths. CRIDC is more than just a conference; It is an immersive professional development experience that enables students to showcase, explore, and connect for a future rich in possibilities.  

Haden Boone, president of the Graduate Student Government Association, expresses the organization's continued commitment to the growth of graduate students. “We've built a strong partnership with the Office of Graduate Education over the past year, and we’re excited to see it come to fruition at CRIDC,” he said.  “There are some great opportunities for academic and professional development being offered at CRIDC this year, and I’m excited invite the graduate student community to take full advantage of them.” 

Daamini Visaalaakshi serves as the vice president of Professional Development and the chair of CRIDC. She said, “The event, much like fine wine, matures gracefully with each passing year. With a diverse set of graduate participants, this year, our primary focus is enhancing accessibility for our online student community. We've thoughtfully curated both panel sessions and panelists, aiming to equip graduate students with the essential tools for evolving career trajectories and skills. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team is diligently working to bring this event to fruition through meticulous planning. As a completely student-run initiative, we don't just encourage your presence; we eagerly anticipate it. 

CRIDC takes place on Wednesday, February 8, 2024, in the Exhibition Hall, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. This free event is intended for Georgia Tech graduate students but is open to the entire GT community.  

Registration is now open for the CRIDC 2024 Poster Competition!   

Online and in -person students are encouraged to participate. Registration is open until Friday, January 12, 2024, 11:59 p.m. For more information and to register visit: https://grad.gatech.edu/cridc .