Sigma Xi 2004 Student Research Conference Participant’s Report

                Each November, Sigma Xi leaders and highly motivated undergraduate students gather to network with one another at the Sigma Xi Annual Meeting and Student Research Conference.  Delegates from Sigma Xi chapters attend workshops on leadership, major issues facing the research enterprise and chapter management.  Simultaneously, undergraduates from over one hundred institutions around the world present their research, attend career-focused workshops, and meet graduate school recruiters and network with Sigma Xi members.  Overall the conference was a great experience.  I was able to gain valuable experience presenting, gain knowledge in almost any are from the workshops, and meet with many professionals from around the world.

                The presentations at the Sigma Xi annual student research conference were great.  I was able to present my research under a relaxed attitude.  The presentations are an extremely valuable part of my research career that cannot be taught in an academic institution.  Only through experience can one become better at public speaking and communicating complex ideas.  Throughout the presentation valuable feedback was offered from experts and professionals in engineering.  In general the presentation was one of the best things I have ever done in my research career.

                The workshops at the conference ranged from different career paths in research to writing successful grant applications and even the various modes to publish research results.  I attended one workshop directed towards keys to marketing yourself.  This workshop is basically attempting to teach individuals how to best portray themselves in the eyes of others, either in a resume or other means.  The second workshop I attended was directed toward how to go to graduate school and then get graduate school paid for.  This workshop was highly valuable as I will soon be going to graduate school.

                The last main focus of the Sigma Xi annual student research conference was networking.  Over the course of the conference I meet more engineering and science related professionals that were interested in my research than at NJIT alone.  Numerous professionals would ask questions and at the end of a conversation give me a card, and ask for mine in return.  Many professionals at faculty positions around the country were interested to get in touch with my advisor for possible future collaboration.  Overall the conference was a great place to meet other professionals in my field and make contacts all over the country.

                In conclusion the Sigma Xi annual student research conference was one of the best experiences a student in my position could ever be in.  I would gladly return next year if given the opportunity.

Shawn Chester

ME Senior

Shyam Patel, Prof. Andrew Meyer, president of the NJIT Sigma Xi chapter, Van Phu, and Shawn Chester at the Sigma Xi student research conference