I'm applying for this travel award to assist me in attending the NIH Career Symposium this year. The symposium aims to highlight the diversity of career choices available my generation of biomedical researchers. The symposium will feature several panels which interest me:

There will be an event on "Non-Traditional Faculty" career options focusing on private institutes, non-profit research centers and the government. I will learn how to prepare myself for these jobs be found, how they're different from traditional academic counterparts, and what expectations these institutions have of candidates. 

There will also be several events which are of great interest to me. These will focus on non-traditional careers in Science Administration, Science Education & Outreach, Science Policy & Advocacy, and Writing & Science Communication. As I am a published author on topics ranging from science to culture to politics, these panels will certainly contribute to my development as a professional and I expect to learn how to leverage my training to become a professional communicator or advocate.

The symposium is free to attend, so I'd only require travel expenses. 

Since the event begins at 8am, I'll be driving into Bethesda the day before, staying the night, attend the event from 8am-4pm the following day, then driving back to Roanoke in the evening. I'm asking for $280 (Rental car 2 days $140, Hotel/AirBnB $130, Gas $40). Rental car includes a "younger renter fee".