Northwestern University

Undergraduate Research Assistant

June 2017 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Independency

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Intern

June - September 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Enjoyed working on prototypical biomimetic robots - this field is expanding and I got the chance to work with this technology at the forefront. Team included a diverse array of backgrounds.

What I wish was different

I wish I'd gotten more tasks suited for the major I switched into prior to starting the internship - got mostly mechanical engineering related projects as a computer science major. This isn't so much on my supervisors as it is on me for not speaking up more and asking for computational work to do.

Advice

When given extremely unstructured research work, always keep asking to find more things to do, and don't be discouraged when there doesn't 'seem' to be a clear path ahead. The heart of research is experimentation and exploration, so it's okay to take risks so long as you document everything for other people.

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Cancer Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

This program helped me delve into bench research. It fueled my passion for cancer by allowing me to use state of the art equipment and techniques to learn more about melanoma. They provided opportunities to learn more about Northwestern’s professional schools.

What I wish was different

I wish there were a few more structured programs/events. The internship was very one man for themself.

Advice

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again research can be disappointing if you don’t get results, but do not get discouraged. Keep trying!

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Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I have learned a lot about clinical research and had the opportunity to job shadow physicians.

What I wish was different

Advice

Absorb as much knowledge as possible.

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Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I liked the work environment and how inclusive and helpful the culture is. I also liked how there was an emphasis on student life through different programs and organization to enhance and enrich student experience.

What I wish was different

I wish they paid me for the internship. It was intensive and a lot of work but i all I got is experience.

Advice

Try making as much connections as possible. one of my mentors at the program told me that all you need is competence and connections. Try to get onto linked In, wiser, and handshake. You should pursue anything that helps you increase your horizons.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2020 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I enjoyed being able to conduct hands on learning

What I wish was different

I wish it had been in person

Advice

Do not be afraid to learn by failing

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Undergraduate Researcher

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

This research position was apart of an SROP program (Summer Research Opportunity Program). I loved the location, and the supportive graduate students and professors. I had an amazing time and became exposed to multiple biochem. techniques that will provide very useful for me in the future.

What I wish was different

I do not wish a single thing had been different.

Advice

You get out of it what you put in. The experience is what you make it, and it is up to you to utilize your time there wisely.

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Research Student

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Having the independence to conduct my own research project under the supervision of experienced and knowledgeable faculty.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

Research projects are as much or as little as you make of them---so put in all the time you can!

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Graduate Researcher

June - August 2019 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Atmosphere.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

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Access Services Aide

June 2016 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

It's a good work environment, a lot calmer in the summer. It lets you still feel connected to campus.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Assistant

January 2017 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I loved the mentorship I received and the simultaneous independence I was allowed to explore within my research.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more to do — I was being paid full-time to come into work 3 days a week, because I just finished all of my work on those days and had no need to come in half the time. It was nice to have a relaxing summer but I really just want to be conducting research and collecting data.

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask for help — it's weird if you don't.

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Research Assistant

June - September 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

It was a research job.

What I wish was different

It was isolating.

Advice

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Psychologist Research Assistant

June 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Befriend professors with interesting research throughout the year - that way, when URAP grants come into play for the summer, they already know your name and interests. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask if they're planning to use a research assistant in the summer, but make sure to check out their past work before you do!

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I enjoyed the topic of the research immensely, I found that I'm very interested in planetary science in addition to astrophysics.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Social Science Research Assistant

June - September 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I enjoyed taking coding classes that offered background for the codes, created by the Graduate Students on the research team, to parse through and organize data from the tens of thousands of articles relating to our subject (the #MeToo Movement). I gained practical skills and was guided through the entire research procedure rather than mindlessly web scraping. In addition, I manually collected data from randomly selected articles and identified key words and phrases to apply to the general code used for all articles.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Center for Talent Development - Residential Assistant

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I was able to form a tight-knit community with the staff at CTD.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2020 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Check in with your lab mentor regularly and don't be afraid to communicate when you are confused.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I really liked the research group I joined and all the available experimental resources.

What I wish was different

The mentoring system in place is hit or miss. In my case it wasted a lot of time, in others it made their experience great.

Advice

Apply, apply, apply! Also, talk directly to Bruce Lindval, Kathleen Stair, and Patty Sekirka.

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Student Researcher

July - September 2020 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

The Office of Undergraduate Research is staffed and supported by people always willing to help students along on their personal research journey. I appreciated the freedom, academic and artistic, I was allowed, and the stipend was generous enough that I didn't have to worry about paying rent!