Iowa State University

Multiple Species Inventory and Monitoring Crew Technician

May - August 2023 • Chariton, IA

What I liked

With this position, I really liked the opportunity to be completely immersed in nature and how up close with wildlife I was able to get. Through all of the wildlife trappings and surveys I conducted, I was able to hold turtles, snakes, small mammals, and dragonflies. Being able to experience and see each of these animals so closely was an extremely unique experience! I also liked the flexibility my supervisors had with my schedule and their willingness to allow me to work long days to have a longer weekend when there were family events.

What I wish was different

Something I wish had been different is that I wish I would have been able to read and see what the research was discovering with Iowa wildlife, as we weren't told much about the findings from previous years.

Advice

This position was very taxing physically, so my most significant piece of advice is to keep pushing forward even when the fieldwork is tough and tiring, and to really take advantage of working outside all day long because that is not a normal office for most people :)

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Research Intern

May - August 2021 • Ames, IA

What I liked

The opportunity to do cool work with awesome people was, of course, amazing. I worked hard and did my best and came to good results. I was supported by the leaders of my research group, and I felt like I was making a genuine contribution to the project.

What I wish was different

The task I was assigned was very large, and not all components of it were as well-executed as I would have liked. It was sometimes difficult to find people who understood the technology I was using for my solutions.

Advice

Don't hesitate to ask questions!

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Research Assistant

May - August 2019 • Ames, IA

What I liked

Great experience and learned a lot of skills on the job.

What I wish was different

Wish it had related more to industry. Did not really like the paper side.

Advice

Be open to everything

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Researcher

June - August 2019 • Ames, IA

What I liked

This summer research experience allowed me to work closely with a professor and graduate students on research. I also developed valuable software skills which have helped my research here at OU, as well.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Neuroscientist Intern

July - September 2019 • Ames, IA

What I liked

Great exposure to neuroscientific and cell biology research techniques and technologies.

What I wish was different

N/a

Advice

Keep a good lab notebook.

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Chemistry Research Intern

June 2018 - August 2019 • Ames, IA

What I liked

Understanding research and how it works

What I wish was different

More hands on project rather than simulations

Advice

Listen and study the material well that is presented to you

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Ames, IA

What I liked

It was a valuable experience because I gained skills and general experience working in the field with various instruments/technologies in the Iowa State University's agronomy department. I also worked within a team of both undergraduate and graduate students, which was helpful in terms of collaborating between our different projects.

What I wish was different

The location of this internship was not ideal. Nothing to do in the area and really no means to get around.

Advice

It's not easy to work with grad students!!

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Biological Technician

May - September 2019 • Chariton, IA

What I liked

Gaining experience working with a wide range of species

What I wish was different

More training early on, better data base

Advice

It’s ok to not know things about some of the groups of animals, you learn as you go

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - July 2019 • Ames, IA

What I liked

Great supplementary programs for the researchers.

What I wish was different

Advice

Take advantage of the writing workshops.

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Intern

June - August 2018 • Ames, IA

What I liked

The Research experience over at Iowa State University was great. The research faculty were top tier and the environment was something new.

What I wish was different

Something I wish would have been different is the food. Since you are in Ames, there isn't a wide spread of food selection. Furthermore, during the summer there is not much events happening around campus, therefore, you won't be able to have the full expierence of what it is like living on campus.

Advice

Go there with an open mind. The environmnet at Iowa State is very different from Augsburg University. Also, I encourage y'all to explore the rich history of Iowa.

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Graduate Research Assistant

May 2018 • Ames, IA

What I liked

learning how to make molecules

What I wish was different

nothing, my research was awesome

Advice

start researching early, when you are 5 years old:)

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Undergraduate Researcher/REU Participant

May - August 2017 • Ames, IA

What I liked

The flexibility of my schedule.

What I wish was different

More direct interactions with the professor that I was conducting research for.

Advice

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Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Ames, IA

What I liked

Learned some valuable skills, including MATLAB and writing a research paper in Latex studio.

What I wish was different

Research could get a bit grueling - early mornings out in a cornfield. Working with grad students can be a bit difficult and stressful! The George Washington Carver internship program did not do a great job of communicating what research project you apply for entails. I was working with NASA and ESA satellites, but was doing more field work than I had anticipated. Huge bummer.

Advice

ASK QUESTIONS along the way and be very clear and transparent. Even if it feels like a dumb thing to ask, any confusion is worth explaining and clarifying (ESPECIALLY in scientific research)

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Research Fellow

June - August 2018 • Ames, IA

What I liked

I love going out in the field at 5 am doing water sampling for produce farmers and expanding my mind in food microbiology by writing a paper on my research/findings.