The end of B Term is only a few days away and that means the end of IQP for dear Amy. While it has been an extremely long ride, something like 15 or 16 weeks in the making, I learned a lot that I will be able to utilize in my future endeavors as an engineer.
1. There's no need being nervous during presentations.
I have given, at least, 10 presentations in front of groups since ID 2050 began at the start of A Term. Beforehand I am always extremely nervous but end up pushing through and saying "oh, that wasn't so bad". And I learned it never is that bad. With my final presentation this Wednesday, I am super, super nervous, however, I know this material like the back of my hand and know I'll rock it!
2. As a female, you can lead a group successfully.
Being the only female member of my group had its pros and cons. While I became some form of a leader or more so a glue for our team, I learned it's completely possible to run a group successfully. We would all occasionally butt heads but it was all worth it in the end.
3. But that doesn't mean you need to do everything yourself.
Sometimes I would think to myself "ugh, I could just do this myself and it would come out well" but I learned during IQP it's next to impossible to do every little thing by yourself. I learned to be able to trust team members more in completely work by themselves and also being able to effectively split work among all of us.
4. It's totally possible to do something that's foreign to you.
My project involved creating educational materials on stormwater for Central Massachusetts. Believe me, that is nowhere in the description of being a chemical engineer. It's totally manageable to do something completely out of your comfort zone.
5. Sometimes you make the wrong decision.
Doing something out of your comfort zone always will lead to wrong decisions or mistakes along the way. You just need to learn from them and move on, especially when you only have seven weeks to complete a project.
6. But there is always help available.
Your advisors and sponsors are amazing and will help you every step of the way. Once you're in the real world, help will always be there too.
7. Things will get stressful.
As it always will at WPI. But sometimes you'll feel like there is way too much work to manage in such a short period of time.
8. But it always works out in the end.
It always will! I thought IQP would be never ending but the end is in sight! Anything tough you work through, it will always work out and be worth it in the end.
