Closed for winter break from Dec 21,2026 to Jan 4,2027
IGNITE 2027
Your engineering degree is just the beginning.
Connect with engineers and industry professionals through breakout sessions, one-on-one mock interviews, and the career exhibition.
Saturday, February 20, 20279 a.m.–5 p.m.Riverside Convention Center
Explore engineering careers beyond the classroom.
IGNITE (Inspiring Growth and Networking in Technology and Engineering) is the fourth annual student professional conference presented by UC Riverside’s Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering Student Success Team. It brings undergraduate and master’s engineering students together with alumni and industry professionals.
Through breakout sessions, one-on-one mock interviews, and a career exhibition, students can explore engineering career paths, practice professional skills, and meet people working in the field.
Students at a previous IGNITE conferenceSee how engineering students spend the day.
IGNITE is built for undergraduate and master’s engineering students who want clearer insight into internships, graduate pathways, and engineering careers.
Hear real career perspectives
Listen to engineers, alumni, and industry professionals talk about their work, how they got started, and what they wish they knew earlier.
Practice professional skills
Join breakout sessions and mock interviews designed to help engineering students build confidence and ask better career questions.
Meet organizations face to face
Spend time at the career exhibition learning about companies, roles, and opportunities that connect with engineering interests.
Career exhibition: 3:30–5 p.m. · Speaker lineup and breakout topics will be shared as details are confirmed.
Explore student registrationEngineering students came together to explore their careers.
See the conversations, workshops, and connections from last year's conference.
Make room for your next opportunity.
Join undergraduate and master’s engineering students for breakout sessions, one-on-one mock interviews, and a career exhibition with industry representatives.
Registration is released in phases to give BCOE students early access. Your eligibility depends on the registration window.
When can I register?
Nov. 2–30, 2026
BCOE undergraduate students
First access for Bourns College of Engineering undergraduates.
Dec. 1–18, 2026
BCOE undergraduate and graduate students
Registration expands to include BCOE graduate students.
January–Feb. 5, 2027
All students
Registration opens to students outside BCOE as well.
Dates and eligibility are based on the 2027 registration plan. Check the event registration page for live availability and final rates.
What should I know?
IGNITE is designed around the questions engineering students face as they explore internships, graduate-level opportunities, and careers after graduation.
Do I need to know what career I want?
No. Exploring different engineering careers is one of the reasons to attend.
Can BCOE graduate students attend?
Yes. BCOE graduate students become eligible during the Dec. 1–18 registration phase.
Can students outside BCOE register?
Yes. Registration opens to all students in the January–Feb. 5 phase, subject to availability.
When will speakers and sessions be announced?
The 2027 speaker lineup and session schedule will be added as they are confirmed.
When is the career exhibition?
The career exhibition is scheduled for 3:30–5 p.m. Students can meet industry representatives, ask about engineering work, and explore career opportunities.
Is parking available?
Yes. Parking is free at the Riverside Convention Center for IGNITE attendees.
Help students see what comes next.
Your perspective can make the next step feel more possible. Share how you started, what you learned, and what the work is really like.
Take part as a breakout session leader, mock interview volunteer, career exhibition representative, or guest speaker. Submit the interest form to tell the IGNITE team how you would like to participate.
Find the role that's right for you.
Select a role to review the timing and what to prepare. We welcome interest from BCOE alumni and engineering industry professionals.
Lead a breakout session
30–45-minute presentation · Morning or afternoon rotations
Set-up: 8 a.m. for morning sessions or noon for afternoon sessions.
What to prepare: A 30–45-minute presentation on a topic approved with the IGNITE team. Session leaders present during two of the four rotation blocks.
Volunteer for mock interviews
3 p.m. set-up · 10-minute interview rotations
Set-up: 3 p.m.
What to expect: Give constructive feedback during approximately 8–10 interviews, each lasting 10 minutes. Standard questions will be provided; submit any proposed technical questions to the IGNITE team in advance.
Join the career exhibition
Exhibition 3:30–5 p.m. · Set-up at 3 p.m.
Set-up: 3 p.m. Exhibition: 3:30–5 p.m.
What to bring: Industry representatives are encouraged to bring their own tablecloth, signage, promotional brochures, and giveaways. Contact the IGNITE team for exhibition logistics.
Speak or share your career experience
Panel and other speaking opportunities
Share your engineering career experience and perspective with students. Speaking opportunities and scheduling are coordinated with the IGNITE team.
Participation details are provided for planning; the IGNITE team will confirm individual assignments and final logistics.
Show students what engineering work can lead to.
IGNITE gives engineering students direct access to people who have already navigated internships, graduate school, and the transition into industry. Your perspective helps make those next steps more concrete.
You can contribute through breakout sessions, one-on-one mock interviews, the career exhibition, or other speaking opportunities.
Industry connections in the room.
Previous conferences have brought together companies, professionals, and student organizations in engineering-related spaces. Past participation does not indicate involvement in IGNITE 2027.
Interested in joining us?
Tell the IGNITE team how you would like to participate, whether that is leading a breakout session, volunteering for mock interviews, joining the career exhibition, or speaking with engineering students.
Questions? Contact Mai Temraz at mait@ucr.edu.
Meet the students who could join your team.
Put your organization face-to-face with UCR engineering students who are exploring internships, career paths, and the transition into the workforce.
IGNITE offers opportunities to introduce your company, meet prospective candidates, and take part in a conference dedicated to students' professional growth. Depending on your sponsorship level, benefits include exhibit space, interview opportunities, featured programming, and promotional recognition.
IGNITE 2026
Choose a sponsorship level.
Review what each package includes, from tabling and event recognition to interview space and sponsored sessions.
Premium$10,000Closing keynote dinner, premium exhibit space, interviews, and priority promotion. Select to see details.View full benefits
- Introduce and speak at the closing keynote dinner
- Company video played during dinner
- Priority exhibit location with option for two tables
- Space for interviews with prospective candidates
- Multiple newsletter and social media mentions
- Priority recognition on the agenda and website
Gold$5,000Lunch panel recognition, exhibit space, interviews, and promotional mentions. Select to see details.View full benefits
- Acknowledgment during the lunch panel
- Company video played during lunch
- Exhibit space with option for two tables
- Space for interviews with prospective candidates
- Social media and agenda / website recognition
Silver$2,500Refreshment-hour recognition, tabling, interviews, and event visibility. Select to see details.View full benefits
- Refreshment-hour sponsorship acknowledgment
- Company video played during refreshment hour
- Tabling space to meet students
- Space for interviews with prospective candidates
- Social media and agenda / website recognition
Bronze$1,500Student tabling, social recognition, and conference branding. Select to see details.View full benefits
- Tabling at the conference to meet students
- Social media acknowledgment
- Recognition on the conference agenda and website
Supporting donations are welcome.
Prefer to support the conference without a sponsorship package? Contact BCOE Student Success to discuss a donation. Sponsors also have opportunities to connect with students, professionals, and other organizations.
Past speakers, lasting connections.
Meet the alumni and professionals who have shared their experience with UCR engineering students. The 2027 lineup will be announced as speakers are confirmed.
2026 SpeakersView speaker gallery ▾
Kaanon MacFarlaneB.S. 2005, Computer Science
Andrew SanchezB.S. 2018, Ph.D. 2024, Chemical & Environmental Engineering
Mariel Cisneros
Neo MarinB.S. 2023, M.S. 2024, Electrical Engineering
Tony JohnstonB.S. 2022, Electrical Engineering
Natalie White
Dr. Annika Speer2025 SpeakersView speaker gallery ▾
Dr. Annika Speer
Matthew Ramirez
Mike VerdinB.S. 2004, Mechanical Engineering
Sirina NabhanB.S. 2017, Electrical Engineering
Samuel TapiaB.S. and M.S., Computer Science
Yvette CasillasB.S. 2019, Mechanical Engineering
Mai TemrazQuestions about IGNITE 2027?
For questions about the conference, professional participation, or sponsorship, contact Mai Temraz at mait@ucr.edu.