Are You Submitting Your Papers for Publication?

Engineering students have all kinds of opportunities to submit their papers for publication, or even for fame and fortune.

Well, "fame and fortune" might be overstating it, but many paper contests offer cash prizes or travel subsidies allowing you to attend a conference in your field. And publications or contest wins always look good on your resume.

Here are a few opportunities you have to submit your papers in the coming months.

IEEE Potentials magazine is seeking articles geared to young engineers for its March 2009 issue. Articles should deal with cutting-edge technical ideas, advice about professional development, or insights into the problem-solving process. The deadline for submitting manuscripts is December 1st. For information on how to submit, click here.

IEEE also has an ongoing student paper contest, with deadlines varying depending on where you live in the world. You have to be an IEEE student member to submit, but membership is about the cost of a good dinner, so don't let that hold you back.

IEEE Women in Engineering Magazine is also looking for submissions. No deadline, they're just always looking for good papers.

Another professional society, ASME, offers an oral presentation competition called the Old Guard Prize. Just about any subject in engineering is allowed. Presentations must be 15 minutes, with five more minutes for audience Q&A. Top prize is $1,000!

There are literally hundreds of other opportunities out there, ranging from magazines to conferences to contests, so keep an eye out for them and submit!

(And if you know of any others that you're submitting to, post information about them!)