What was the workload like outside the labs?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nFor the first few weeks, I spent time researching the knitting machine. Then we had to write up our findings. Dr. West wanted us to take the reins, so he had us write our research proposals and take the lead under his guidance rather than being led by his instruction. After that, all our work was in the lab aside from REU-specific work and our final presentation slides and poster to show our final work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nOutside of research, were there any ways REU prepared you professionally?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThere were a few different seminars hosted by the REU program throughout the summer. The one that stuck out to me the most was about mental health. There were other seminars about networking on LinkedIn and resume building as well. I also participated in the Clifton Strengths Assessment, where we learned about our different strengths that can tell us how we work in a group setting, and that was very interesting. I like to gain more insight into who I am so I know how to work best for myself. It was interesting hearing other people's points of view as well, and the assessment helped me remember that everyone works in different ways and our differentiating strengths can sometimes be beneficial in a group setting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Did anything surprise you about research as a whole?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThe textile technology program prepares us so well in our classes to do research. We have so many projects that are research-based in my major that undergraduate research matched what I was anticipating. Nothing surprised me about the program; it was very scheduled and structured. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In terms of myself, I was surprised at the amount of effort and work I put into my research. I didn\u2019t realize how time-consuming research is, especially before the actual lab work. I cared a lot about doing it properly and following the techniques to make sure everything was up to standards. Aside from classes or my part-time job, I hadn\u2019t ever done something like REU before and it took me a little bit out of my comfort zone. It felt very professional like I was going to work and contributing similarly to how I would in the workforce. I took the opportunity to take my research as seriously as possible so I could gain as much from it as I could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Has participation in the REU program influenced your career plans for the future?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nActually, yes! My concentration is in medical textiles, but after working with Dr. West, I developed a lot of admiration for the fashion management side of textiles. I like the idea of working with garments and textiles instead of just maybe working on a machine. So my REU research has definitely influenced my post-grad plans. As I look into graduate school I'm considering more of a fashion and design path. I\u2019m interested in working on textile conservation and textile preservation, maybe in museums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For any students who might be interested in research but aren\u2019t sure yet, what suggestions do you have for them as they begin to navigate the REU process?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nWhatever comes your way, just try it. Research is valuable regardless of if it's something you're passionate about or not. I think especially in the Wilson College of Textiles, there's a lot of opportunity to find your niche. You'll ultimately come across something or have a revelation that will help you in your future endeavors.<\/p>\n"},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Maddy Moore shares how the Research Experience for Undergraduates program widened her overall perspective on the textile industry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":66965,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"Emma Romick","ncst_show_custom_author":true,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/default-post-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"displayCategoryID\":512,\"showAuthor\":true,\"showDate\":true,\"showFeaturedVideo\":false,\"subtitle\":\"Maddy Moore shares how the Research Experience for Undergraduates program widened her overall perspective on the textile industry.\"}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[742,490,512,502,479],"tags":[2539,1143,504,2443,544,1382],"class_list":["post-66964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newswire","category-our-people","category-research-and-innovation","category-student-success","category-tecs","tag-b-s-textile-technology","tag-department-of-textile-engineering-chemistry-and-science","tag-research","tag-research-experience-for-undergraduates","tag-undergraduate-research","tag-wilson-college-of-textiles"],"displayCategory":{"term_id":512,"name":"Research and Innovation","slug":"research-and-innovation","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":512,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":237,"filter":"raw"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"
NC State Student Blends Interests in Science, Fashion Through Research - Wilson College of Textiles<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n