The American Physical Society hosted their Conference for Graduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics 2024 from August 19-20, 2024 in Washington, DC. Mary Iskakova, McDonnell Center Graduate Fellow, expressed her gratitude for attending the event. The conference covered a wide range of physics topics, with sessions focused on networking and establishing connections, as well as finding employment in industry or academia—subjects of great importance to Iskakova, a fifth-year student researching high-energy astrophysics under the guidance of Manel Errando.
 

Iskakova shared her impressions: "Several talks focused on women sharing their experiences, which often differ from those of the average physics graduate student, as the typical student is male. I particularly enjoyed the first talk of the conference; it really set the mood for me. The presenter candidly shared her personal journey, including her hardships. I feel that people often emphasize their achievements while neglecting to discuss their struggles. That talk in particular touched me greatly. The conference provided a platform to discuss issues pertinent to women and gender minorities in physics, and offered solutions for addressing these issues. I genuinely appreciated the conference organizers. Even those who did not present talks made a point to engage with us personally. The event felt very welcoming and hands-on."