Achievement

From kindergarten through graduate school, students receive training in the myriad technical skills needed for a successful career in engineering or science; however, our course-based approach to learning often neglects important real-world skills that students need to truly succeed -- particularly effective communication skills. To correct this oversight, IGERT Fellows participated in three hands-on workshops led by Cornell faculty members on public speaking, the preparation of scientific posters, and technical writing. After the first workshop, the IGERT Fellows held an informal symposium in which Fellows gave 20-minute seminars on their current research, while the group offered constructive criticism. In the second workshop on poster preparation, the Fellows honed their messages, then staged an afternoon poster session that was attended by all interested graduate students and faculty.