Do you have a story to tell about mining, metallurgy, or your experience in the minerals industry?
The MPD Elevator Pitch Contest is an opportunity to share your story in a short, engaging video. There are no restrictions on what you can present, as long as your topic is related to mining, metallurgy, or the minerals industry.
Your presentation could focus on a research project, internship, senior design project, or simply explain why you chose, or intend to choose, metallurgy or a related discipline and what you love about the industry.
The goal is to communicate your ideas clearly and engagingly, much like having a casual conversation with someone in an elevator.
Submission
Submit a 3–4 minute video explaining your topic. We encourage you to be creative. PPT slides are strongly discouraged; the focus should be on you, your experience, and your story.
Your video should roughly follow this structure:
Introduce yourself and your topic
What is the big-picture objective, idea, or story? Start with a hook.
~30 secondsTell your story
Explain your specific experience, project, or interest in mining/metallurgy.
~1 minuteShare what you learned
What was the outcome? What surprised you? What lessons did you take away?
~1 minuteEnd with your takeaway
What do you want the audience to remember or do differently?
~30 secondsThese are only suggestions. Have fun and make the pitch your own!
Who Can Participate?
The contest is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Undergraduate students are especially encouraged to participate. Your video does not need to be based on advanced research. You can talk about:
- ✅ Why you chose, or are considering, metallurgy, mining, or a related field
- ✅ A senior design or class project
- ✅ An internship or co-op experience
- ✅ A research project
- ✅ What excites you about the future of mining and metallurgy
- ✅ An experience that changed how you think about mining or the minerals industry
Awards
Awards will be presented in separate graduate and undergraduate categories.
⭐ Special Mention / Judge’s Choice: $350
In addition, the top 10 participants will receive a complimentary luncheon ticket for the MPD Luncheon during SME Annual Conference.
Videos will be judged based on clarity, creativity, engagement, and presentation skills.
How to Submit
Simply record your video and submit it directly using the submission link below. A video shareable link, such as YouTube or Vimeo, can be submitted as long as access is set so that everyone can view the video. Alternatively, upload the video directly.
Or email Sumedh Gostu — sumedh.gostu@fastmetalsinc.com
Important Dates
Get Involved!
Whether you are a graduate student presenting years of research or an undergraduate student sharing why you chose metallurgy, we want to hear your story.
You have a few minutes. Tell us what mining, metallurgy, and the minerals industry mean to you.