ADVERTISEMENT - Autodesk University: Find Your Place in the Future of Making Things

The crowd gathers for Autodesk University 2016. Picture by Autodesk.

Only a few decades ago, an engineer’s standard tool set included a drafting table, a slide rule, a compass, and a T-square. How things have changed since then.

With the advent of the personal computer in the 1980s, drafting went digital. In the early 2000s, 3D modeling set a new standard. And today, computers help engineers do far more than draw or model, with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) being essential functions for simulating and analyzing the performance of structures and products before they’re ever manufactured.
 
The transformation of how engineers design and create is far from over. As speaker and education consultant Heather McGowan put it, “It's safe to say that a worker's value is no longer primarily or exclusively about what she knows but rather the speed at which she can learn and apply it.” Learning, then relearning skills, is simply an essential part of the engineer’s job today.
 
Autodesk University (AU) is your partner in adapting to these changes. It’s the place to network with other professionals who are facing the same challenges as you and to learn from experts who are leading the way.
 
Learning for a World of Change

Join engineering professionals of all stripes—from mechanical and electric to structural and aerospace—at AU Las Vegas, November 14-16, for three days of exploration and learning. You’ll be alongside thousands of other engineers, designers, architects, and managers—part of a community that comes together to share knowledge and perspectives on the transformations affecting our industry and how best to survive and thrive during this dynamic time.

  •  Expand your skills with 600+ classes—At the heart of AU are the more than 600 learning sessions taught by experts and thought leaders from the fields of engineering, architecture, construction, design and manufacturing, and media & entertainment. The sessions dive into a range of topics, from software tools you use every day to new and innovative workflows that could help you save time and money. You’ll find groundbreaking case studies and examinations of important industry trends. Class formats are diverse, ranging from instructional demos and hands-on labs to industry talks, panels, and roundtables. Each format has its appeal, depending on what and how you like to learn. And classes are offered for beginners and advanced users alike.
  •  Make connections and network—As much as AU is about learning, it’s equally about building professional connections. From large events like the Welcome Reception to smaller social meet-ups just for engineers like our Lego Architecture Studio Challenge, you’ll discover a wealth of opportunities to find support and give it while you expand your industry network.
  •  Gain insight from keynotes and other presentations—AU is the place to hear from Autodesk executives and the people behind Autodesk software. You’ll get insight into the future direction for Autodesk products and the trends they think will make a difference. Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost will open the conference with a keynote about automation and the future of work, while product and technology keynotes will fill you in on important trends and what lies ahead for the Autodesk products you use day to day. And don’t miss the Theater where you can catch short, dynamic presentations by thought leaders on topics such as cloud computing, generative design, and more.
  •  Explore the Exhibit Hall—An interactive supplement to classroom learning at AU is the Exhibit Hall, where you’ll find hundreds of booths, galleries, and interactive displays that give you a chance to get up close and personal with the technologies shaping how we work and live.
  •  Connect with Autodesk—AU is a great way to connect with peers and colleagues, but it’s also a good way to connect directly with Autodesk developers, product managers, and leaders—the people who make the tools you use. Through keynotes, user research sessions, and the Answer Bar, you can learn what they have planned for Autodesk products, give your input and feedback, and get questions answered 1-on-1.
  • Learn online anytime—After the conference wraps up, a significant portion of the sessions become available to watch for free online anytime. Download the class materials, review anything you missed, check out sessions you couldn’t attend, and recommend them to colleagues who couldn’t make it to AU Las Vegas. At AU online, class is always in session.
     
    The diverse fields of engineering are undergoing a period of significant change. AU is the place to gain understanding about where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. And it’s a chance to do so with 10,000 people just like you.
     
    AU Las Vegas 2017 conference passes are now available. Save $425 off the full price when you buy before October 16. Click here to find out more and register.

Autodesk has supplied this content and it is published here without modification.