Outcomes of Student Professional Development Experiences

Experiencing the Experimental Biology conference in Boston was the culmination of my undergraduate research career at Messiah. After having presented my research in a couple of other smaller settings, it was exciting to have the opportunity to attend such a large international conference. I had several poster presentation sessions in which I was able to discuss our research findings with a wide range of biology specialties and backgrounds.

It was fascinating to discuss and especially to learn about my own research from people with such diverse expertise. I came away with new perspectives on both ideas that I had thought about relating to my research and topics that had never crossed my mind. 

Noah pictured with his poster.

In addition to presenting my own research, I was able to attend other presentations. Once again I was amazed by the diversity of research and intrigued by the many possible future directions of my own research as I continue my education at Arcadia University to earn my masters in public health and doctor of physical therapy. This conference helped me improve my presentation and critical thinking skills as well as whet my appetite for continuing to participate in research in the future.

The Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (PAFCS) is an association created with the purpose to improve the quality and standards of individual and family life through programs that educate, influence public policy, disseminate information and publish research findings. This association firmly supports professionals who strive to achieve their purpose as leaders in their communities.

I attended my second PAFCS State Conference this year in Pocono Manor, PA. At the 91^st Annual State Conference, I was able to listen to keynote speakers and attend sessions that provided me with new perspectives and strategies to incorporate into my classroom. PAFCS members who are current and retired Family and Consumer Sciences teachers presented in sessions on various types of curriculum, technology in the FCS classroom and mindfulness, to name a few. With so many FCS professionals in one space, it was a great opportunity to network with people from not only Pennsylvania, but also other surrounding states.

Attending a seminar on portion control.

As a senior FCS major at Messiah, I was provided with the opportunity to speak at the conference during a breakout session. I sat on a panel with my department chair, Dr. Raeann Hamon, and other FCS department chairs and students, to discuss the importance of FCS professionals advocating for our profession and its importance in education. With only two institutions offering Family and Consumer Sciences as an undergraduate degree in Pennsylvania, we focused during our session on the importance of FCS teachers encouraging their students to choose FCS as their major in college. It was a wonderful experience to speak on the panel in a room full of professionals so passionate about our pedagogy.

In mid-April, I was privileged to attend the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences.  At this conference, I was able to share my research from the last year as a poster presentation.  I was able to intellectually discuss my work with other students and professors as they circulated.  There was opportunity for my own critical thinking as I answered questions posed by others unfamiliar to my research.  I was enlightened to flaws, inconsistencies, or modifications that could affect the efficiency or reliability of my work.

Professionals with different research background or training were able to offer a fresh perspective while critically analyzing my work.  I received suggestions for procedure modifications and different ways to form control groups that could provide novel insight into the results.  All of the discussions I had will play into the way we design the experiment for future semesters.

Attending this conference allowed me to gain valuable professional skills in numerous areas, including sharing my work and networking with other professionals.  I was the only student from Messiah College, so I was forced to meet other researchers, especially over meals.  I conversed with a few graduate students, which was very helpful in seeing what my future could look like.  Further, they were extremely supportive of my undergraduate work and encouraging about my ability to express it well.

At this conference, I was able to learn about a few areas of emerging behavioral research and evaluate potential projects for when I enter graduate school.  Additionally, in a career of research, I will inevitably have to present my work at conferences.  Starting now at Messiah, with mentors and advisors who can guide me in proper etiquette, is a safe and beneficial experience.  Furthermore, having the experience of this conference listed on my resume will make me look appealing to graduate school admissions committees and future employers; they will know that I already have some degree of training and experience, so I may rank higher on the list of prospective employees and interns.  Attending this conference has helped me to feel much more confident as I leave Messiah and enter my future career full of research.