NACE Compentencies

Career & Self Development

During this research project, I gained a lot of skills that functioned as self-development and will be incredibly helpful for my future career. I learned several lab skills, including powdering samples using a SPEX 8000 mini mill with a  tungsten carbide ball and vial and analyzing samples using High Resolution Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS). Learning and building upon these skills will serve me well in the professional world and show that I'm a capable individual.

Communication

Writing all of the language used on my research poster allowed me to enhance my academic writing skills to be able to communicate ideas concisely and professionally. Presenting this poster at the Southeast Section of the GSA Conference also helped me understand the importance of verbal communication via summarizing and simplifying complex ideas and information in order to present clearly.

Technology

Learning new technologies, such as the lab skills mentioned above, as well as Microsoft Publisher and Excel were integral to completing my research and poster. I was able to properly prepare samples and execute statistical analysis on lab data because of learning these new technologies.