Generally, the students are very aware of selecting a society based upon their career needs and the value they will perceive at that time. Scholarship awards from either society may have little or no effect on their decision. It is unclear from the focus group responses whetherthe students gave a great deal of thought into the process of joining. They see membership as a medium within which to learn, reach out to other students, and gain industry contacts. Many of the students became members because it was encouraged or required by faculty members, which may be the reason that many did not have an expectation in joining but later found many benefits with which to encourage others.
Graduate students take advantage of societies with whom they can publish articles.
Some other incentives such as scholarships and financial incentives were also cited by students. Some chapters leave it up to the students. Generally, none of the chapters interact with other student chapterssome because of time constraints, others because of location. All seem to think it would be a valuable connection and enjoy the interaction at Materials Week. Some suggestions for increasing contact were e-mail lists, contact information on the World Wide Web, and lists of conference attendees for roommate contacts.