This past week was a week full of firsts for myself.
1. The first time ever being to Texas.
The great state of Texas. Home to amazing BBQ, ten-gallon hats and great Southern hospitality. Jacob (my travel partner) and I flew into Texas on tuesday evening. The weather was around 80 degrees, which was a nice change of pace compared to Ellensburg weather. We had two people on our shuttle to our hotel that were traveling from Alaska where they had been in negative 50 degree weather. Quite the temperature change if you ask me! Throughout our stay in Texas, we had the pleasure of enjoying some great food including some authentic Texas BBQ. We split a pound and a half plate of BBQ deliciousness including smoked turkey, brisket, chicken, pork, and sausage. Of course the real reason we were traveling to Texas was to attend the 247th National American Chemical Society Exposition, which leads me...
2. The first time attending a conference.
As a young scientist, the opportunity to attend a conference of this caliber was AMAZING! It was like I was Charlie walking into the Chocolate room in the Wonka factory; simply awe struck seeing everyone and what work they have been doing. Throughout the five days of the conference, there was hundreds of presentations, given by undergrad's, graduate students, professors, and industrial companies alike. In addition to all of the talks, there were a plethora of poster presentations where you could walk around and see the hundreds of posters that people brought to talk about (including myself), which leads me...
3. The first time presenting research.
I was super nervous before the poster session! I knew that I would have to talk with chemistry experts, let alone people who are experts in boron chemistry (which is what I do). I even studied before my presentation, reading my advisor's dissertation and my lab-mate's thesis whom worked on similar projects related to my poster and I was STILL nervous. After the first few inquisitive people, I started to get the used to the types of question they would ask. My favorite question was "Tell me your life story." That translates to "Tell me everything on your poster and make me interested in the research that your group is conducting."
Nonetheless, I had a blast at the ACS conference and I am excited to attend more conferences as a future graduate student.
Don't forget, there is always time for TrashTalk
NT
P.S. I have heard back from all of my schools and I decided that I will be attending Washington State University in the fall! GO COUGS!
