I enjoyed pursuing an aspect of a career that I was interested in; it gave me a glimpse as to what I could be doing later in life - lab work, data entry, and fully immersed in collecting the data. It was also a great experience to get better acquainted with my professor.
What I wish was different
I personally hardly had problems with the position; it was great pay, very reasonable hours and work, and we got to be outside a good chunk of the summer.
Advice
I do wish during the days when I felt lazier that I would have soaked in more, whether it be enjoying the hike, learning more on different areas on our topic of interest, or enjoying the company of my coworker and fellow Bennie and professor. It was such a great opportunity, and I wish I could have had a more positive attitude in order to relay that.
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Biology Research Fellowship
May - August 2020 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I liked getting to work with one of my friends and for my advisor! I enjoyed everything I learned and had a great time doing it.
What I wish was different
Due to COVID our research was no longer able to be on campus field work so we had to literature research instead. This was still a fun experience but obviously canoeing the lakes looking for turtles would have been more fun than reading articles online.
Advice
Look for opportunities on your campus for summer research done by professors. It helps you build a relationship with those professors and you learn a lot.
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Summer Research Fellow
May - August 2019 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
I enjoyed the relaxed setting of the job. There were goals set for the fellows during the summer, but it was understood that it was more of a learning experience and this goals were flexible.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Technical Aide
June 2019 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I enjoyed the variety of the work and learning new skills.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Custodian
May - August 2019 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
The people I worked with had a positive attitude that made the time pass quickly.
What I wish was different
I wish the rooms would have been air conditioned.
Advice
Go into it with a good mindset. It's a lot of hard work, but it can be fun if you look at it like that.
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Grounds Department Student Supervisor
June - August 2019 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
The thing I enjoyed the most about the job was having the ability to meet a variety of different people. Everyone has a story to how they end up on a job site and it is always very interesting to hear.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have had the ability to work overtime to get a little bit more money. The job was offered through the college, so they do not want to pay anyone overtime, especially the students. The job is fair though and it does help give you money you need to buy books for the upcoming year.
Advice
Be prepared for everyday to be a new experience. You will never know what type of mood your co-workers are in and what type of weather might roll in while you are on the job. Be ready.
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Saint John's University President's Office Student Assistant
May 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I have loved the job overall, but most importantly the people I work with. They are incredibly amazing, and I am glad I get the chance to work with them everyday!
What I wish was different
Nothing! This on-going experience has been wonderful, and I am grateful for the experience.
Advice
Find a mentor, and always keep learning. I have found many different mentors in my job here, and they are always willing to help and provide an alternative opinion. Use them to your advantage! Also, never stop learning. In the almost two year of working, I am constantly learning new things. Strive to better yourself, and success will come!
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Summer Camp Lead
May 2018 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
I liked the office work.
What I wish was different
I wish I worked with different people.
Advice
It's hard work and you learn to be responsible.
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Office Assistant
January 2018 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
I liked how great the atmosphere was and going into work was never really daunting. The people are awesome there so it always makes the days fun!
What I wish was different
I wish there would have been more events to gather everyone together during the summer. A random potluck or lunch event with no reason for celebration, but to just enjoy summer would be great!
Advice
Through this experience I would give advice to always remember with any work you are doing you’re always making some sort of impact! Even if you can’t see it directly immediately.
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Events assistant Intern
May - August 2019 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
My internship took place right here at the College of Saint Benedict. so it was nice to be familiar with the campus and have it be a place close enough that I could bike to work. It was a good way to learn the events planning job since CSB hosts hundreds of events over the course of the summer.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been given more of an opportunity to work up into more of a management role in the organization, but I understand I was only there fir a few moths so it is understandable.
Advice
I would recommend that any who attend CSB/SJU consider spending one summer working or taking classes here at school. The summer brought together a large group of people who do not normally hangout together. This may not be directly connected to my internship, but it still made my summer experience, internship included, a memorable one.
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Office Assistant
May - August 2019 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
I enjoyed most being able to work with all departments of the Gorecki Dining center and being able to see firsthand how an office setting functions.
What I wish was different
I wish that summer hadn't ended so fast.
Advice
Always ask questions when you don't know what you're doing or are curious about something.
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Alumnae Relations Office Assistant
May - August 2018 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
The job was very flexible and always changing -- there was never really an opportunity to get bored, as it was constantly changing and moving. I absolutely loved it!
What I wish was different
Advice
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Lindmark Research Fellow
June - August 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
Opportunity to determine and conduct a research project of my choosing.
What I wish was different
More set criteria to follow.
Advice
Great experience in individual research.
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Library Assistant
May - August 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I enjoyed the chance to see a bit of the behind the scenes of how a library functions on day to day basis.
What I wish was different
Honestly nothing, it was a great experience and I may return to it next year if I'm not doing an internship.
Advice
Talk to as many employees as possible, even if they aren't working directly with you. You could learn something brand new.
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Painter
May - August 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I really like this job but I want to find an internship at the beginning. It was really hard for me to find an internship last summer even though I prepared for a long time
What I wish was different
I want to find an internship or research opportunity next summer by using career service as my resources
Advice
Be confident and never give up seeking for an intern opportunity, Prepare for applying earlier
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Undergraduate Researcher
May - August 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I loved the independent schedule and the individual attention I received. I worked one-on-one with my professor, and I grew exponentially in my academic career.
What I wish was different
I wish I would have had a clearer end goal; my paper is still in flux, but I am excited to finish it this semester and start working toward publication.
Advice
Pursue your interests! This research project came as a result of organic personal interest. I worked hard, asked the right people for help, and came out in a better position than I ever thought I would be in at this time in my life.
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Instructional Technology Assistant
May 2018 • St. Joseph, MN
What I liked
Best job I've ever had! Got paid to be trained in many practical skills, like 3D design/printing, digital media, filming and video editing, graphic design and more!
What I wish was different
I couldn't imagine doing anything different for a whole summer, I learned so much that I still put to good use on a daily basis.
Advice
Always keep an open mind, and never be satisfied with the knowledge you already have - keep striving for more!
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Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
A chance to study different programs and coding languages.
What I wish was different
If my advisor would engage with my works more and give me better instructions.
Advice
Talk to your advisor, go through topics that you are truly interested in
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Physics Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I thoroughly enjoyed this independent research project where I could design different aspects of the research to align with my experience, interest and skills. Professor Adam Whitten was always available to answer questions or help guide me if I got stuck in a computer program or another aspect of the research, but I had the independence to work at my own pace and eventually construct a research paper that was submitted for publication, still awaiting feedback.
What I wish was different
I wish the end goal of our research would have been more clear from the beginning because at first I was just doing what my professor instructed me without much of a long-term goal. I began to ask many more questions and dive into the research project after the first week or so which was most likely my own fault for not asking those questions and making sure I got the most out of the research from the beginning. By understanding the full project and getting all the necessary background information, I was much more excited and motivated to conduct my best work. I highly recommend understanding the scope of your research project, background information and long-term goals at the very beginning of the research project.
Advice
I would highly encourage any undergraduate physics (or any subject) major to conduct research as early as possible in their undergraduate career, because as I found out, research is not for everyone. I loved the research experience and it provided a platform for me to gain real-world experience that will undoubtedly benefit me in the near future, but I realized that for me to feel fulfilled in life I need more personal interaction and research may not offer that. This is imperative to learn as early as possible in your studies and career so you can find the best fitting career.
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Research Fellow
May - July 2018 • Collegeville, MN
What I liked
I liked the ability to live on campus and have secure housing and no commute. My mentor also worked to help me prepare for future research positions and make connections at other universities.
