As an undergrad, this was an incredible opportunity for me to gain exposure to the vast field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology, make connections with professionals and researchers I admire, and learn about the newest cutting-edge research. This new experience pushed me to refine my skills in verbal professional communication, time management, planning and preparation.

I also volunteered, supporting the Consulting Partners' Demo and Tech Showcase daily sessions by providing assistance with tech setup, doing head counts of attendees, clearing off presentation tables and setting up materials for the next company, and advising and monitoring the presenters vis-à-vis the rules of engagement. This beneficial experience gave me a role in which to demonstrate characteristics like responsibility, attention to detail, ability to anticipate, good listening, and problem solving.

I’m extremely grateful to my lab supervisor and the National Science Foundation for encouraging me to attend the conference as an undergrad.