Kick off the afternoon with a fast, high-energy welcome to the Student Symposium—built for PA students. We’ll preview the lineup—targeted training, the Poster Session, the Heartland Knowledge Bowl—and spotlight ways to connect with mentors and peers. Meet the organizers and gain insights into navigating your career path.

Know your worth—and how to ask for it. This practical session breaks down offer letters, compensation models, benefits, malpractice coverage, and restrictive covenants. Learn red-flag spotting, boundary-setting, and simple negotiation scripts so you leave with a clear plan and a confident voice.

Turn rotations into references and real-world readiness. We’ll cover strategies for thriving with preceptors, using feedback, and translating cases into interview stories—then map the post-grad pathway: PANCE timing, state licensure basics, onboarding/credentialing tips, and building sustainable CME habits from day one.

The Poster Session highlights the curiosity, creativity, and scholarship of PA students across Iowa. Participants will present their healthcare research in a professional yet approachable setting, with posters displayed throughout the afternoon and dedicated time for discussion, questions, and feedback from peers, faculty, and practicing PAs. Judges will circulate during the session, and an award will be presented during the Reception to the best poster in recognition of outstanding scholarship and communication. The event showcases the breadth of PA student talent and inquiry in Iowa.

Hear what the first year really looks like—from landing the role to surviving orientation, finding mentorship, managing impostor moments, and protecting work-life boundaries. Bring your questions for rapid-fire Q&A and leave with candid advice you can use immediately.

A brief wrap-up of the day’s highlights and key takeaways. We’ll thank our presenters, judges, and partners, share quick reminders, and invite everyone to continue the conversations next door at the Reception & Awards.

Wind down the afternoon while networking with peers, faculty, preceptors, and practicing PAs from across Iowa. We’ll celebrate excellence by announcing the Best Poster Presentation Award and crowning the Heartland Knowledge Bowl champions, with acknowledgments for judges, volunteers, and program partners. All are welcome! Come connect, compare notes, and build your professional community.