Somewhere between Chicago and Pittsburgh, the turbulence kicked in hard. It was the kind of rough air that makes a person question their decision to travel. For me and Ethan Ion, it added unnecessary stress to our journey to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), where we’d be sharing the results of our work as undergraduate research assistants (UGRAs) at UMD’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) that is housed with the Labovitz School of Business and Economics.
NCUR, which was held this year in Pittsburgh, brings together roughly 4,000 undergraduate students annually from across the country to present research in all disciplines—from psychology and engineering to economics and art. Ethan and I presented on a project we each had worked on at the BBER. Ethan presented an economic impact analysis of the Superior Refining Company’s reconstruction following its 2018 explosion, while my project explored age-friendly workplace practices among Duluth businesses.
For me, the best part of attending the conference was getting to see research from across the United States all in one place. There were so many opportunities to listen to our peers present. Ethan said, “the best parts of NCUR for me were watching presentations on subjects different from my own and getting to experience the museums and culture in Pittsburgh. The Carnegie Museum was especially fun to explore.”
Sophie presenting research on age-friendly workplaces
The BBER research we presented was the culmination of projects that took the academic year to complete, where we developed surveys, organized data, analyzed results, and collaborated with faculty and business professionals. The experience helped us build not only content knowledge but also confidence and professionalism.
We also have some advice for future BBER poster presenters. My biggest tip: choose a topic you’re genuinely passionate about and speak about it with confidence. At NCUR, it was clear when a presenter wasn’t engaged with their topic, and that really affected how others responded. Ethan added, “Keep your poster simple. Many at NCUR were too wordy or packed with graphics, which made it hard to understand the study. You can always expand on the details while you’re presenting.”
Ethan presenting his research on the Superior Refinery
Outside the conference, we made time to explore Pittsburgh’s arts and entertainment scene. One of my favorite moments was seeing Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and catching live music at Bottlerocket Social Hall. Ethan, a sports fan, enjoyed walking along the river where both the Steelers’ and Pirates’ stadiums sit.
However, not everything about the conference went according to plan. Our four flights (two each way) had layovers in Chicago both ways. Our first flight had a maintenance issue that nearly made us miss our connection. That connecting flight turned out to have the worst turbulence we had ever experienced! On the return trip, the flight back to Duluth had yet another maintenance delay, leaving us stuck on the tarmac for two hours!
Despite all the difficulties and delays, we had a great time in the process. In many ways, the trip served as a fitting metaphor for our college experience: While roadblocks are inevitable, perseverance and a positive attitude can make all the difference.