First introduced in 1979, S-PACs are an effective vehicle to transmit the professional 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. S-PACs are structured events where students listen to experienced engineers from diverse backgrounds discuss topics from the six critical categories .
Students have a chance to interact with the speakers, usually through a roundtable discussion.
Typically, S-PACs are half a day, and involve two or three speakers . The Student Branches of IEEE plan, organize, and implement S-PACs. The initial suggestion for an S-PAC may come from the students themselves or from other IEEE members such as university professors or Section representatives. IEEE volunteers can provide experienced counsel and encouragement, but the students bear all the responsibility for producing S-PACs. Electrical engineering students are the primary participants in S-PACs, although students in other engineering disciplines may be invited.