The 11/17 presentation in Connellsville was a great experience. Being able to share our findings directly to the people it is impacting and receive feedback really fueled the progress with our project. Preparing for this presentation was a lot of work. The preparation needed for this presentation provided a multifaceted approach to personal and professional development. Community engagement is a vital bridge linking academic research with real world applications. The impact of research on local communities is emphasizing the crucial role of involving community members in the research process. This engagement is not merely a one-way street; it’s a reciprocal relationship that enriches both researchers and the community. This hands-on engagement is instrumental in fostering trust and credibility, creating a foundation for a collaborative relationship between researchers and community members. Transparent communication plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining this relationship, underlining the importance of openness and clarity in bridging the gap between academia and the wider community. We were able to speak to community members during interviews before the semester started and compiled all of our findings into our deliverables. Each cohort sorted through their interview findings and presented out in separate parts to community. The business cohort presented out about business workshops that will be shared with the community, the political science cohort decided to run continuous focus groups to stay engaged in the community and the urban studies cohort improved the classification of assets for the asset map. This presentation was almost an hour in length and helped us refine our public speaking skills. Overcoming public speaking anxiety is not just a skill but a journey of personal growth. Effective presentation skills are crucial in translating research findings into impactful narratives. Clear articulation, mindful body language, and the strategic use of visual aids are discussed as integral elements that contribute to audience engagement, making the information not only accessible but also memorable. Adapting to diverse audiences, from community members to academic peers, is a testament to the versatility required to become a proficient and dynamic public speaker. Working on an interdisciplinary team, allowed me to develop skills with adapting our style to fit in with everyone else in the group. Traditionally, all of my group projects were with other engineers and on this team, I was the only engineer. A lot of the other cohorts are more soft skill heavy compared to engineering disciplines. Common hurdles are explored, and strategies for overcoming them are discussed, emphasizing the critical role of effective communication and conflict resolution in fostering a collaborative environment. Learning from diverse perspectives is not just an abstract concept but a tangible outcome of interdisciplinary collaboration. Exposure to various viewpoints enriches individual learning experiences and prepares students for the intricate demands of the modern workforce. The integration of community engagement, effective communication, public speaking practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration results in a comprehensive approach to personal and professional growth. This framework not only equips individuals with the skills necessary for success but also establishes a deeper connection between academic endeavors and the broader community. It is through these intertwined experiences that individuals become not only proficient researchers and communicators but also socially conscious contributors to the complexities of the world around them.

In DC, we had similar challenges to our Connellsville presentation. However, we had to reduce the length of our presentation but still ensure that all of our important points are emphasized. This presented a challenge because it was a lot of condensing of information and trying to see if any common themes were shared among cohorts. We were able to work together to make our presentation condensed and ensure all important points were emphasized. This presentation was also in front of a lot more people and in a more formal way. We had to stay on time and answer questions from the audience. We also had to travel there and make sure all of our other work was done for our other classes because it was a large time commitment to participate in the conference. We also got the opportunity to network with people from other universities that were working on similar work.