Flexible hours; Pleasant atmosphere; Helpful co-workers and supervisors
What I wish was different
More available resources to better understand research topic
Advice
Make sure to take thorough notes on research topics, procedures, and logs in order to gain the most out of the experience.
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Research Assistant
June - August 2021 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I liked how much research is being done at the University of Michigan, and how there is so much support for undergraduate summer research. Overall, an amazing experience!
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assistant
September 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
Opportunity to learn different techniques used in Microbiology labs
What I wish was different
Wish I had more chances to do more experiments
Advice
Reach out to lots of labs and do not give up because there are lots of openings, just not a lot of advertisements for them
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research assistant in immunology
April 2020 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
hands-on experience and cooperation
What I wish was different
---
Advice
don't be afraid to ask questions and advocate for yourself. if you don't ask to see things and experience new concepts and techniques, they won't do it for you.
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Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
May - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I was able to perform full-time research at a new institution which allowed me to gain an understanding of what my graduate school experience may be like in a STEM Ph.D. program. I also enjoyed being able to make close connections with faculty and other fellows through weekly seminars and other events.
What I wish was different
I would have liked if the summer program was one or two weeks longer as this would have allowed me to complete my project but the ten week program provides a strong structure and this was certainly not a major issue.
Advice
Advocate for yourself and your skills to make strong connections with faculty and other students. These connections will help build your professional network and are essential for moving forward in a career in biomedical research.
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Program assistant intern
June - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I liked the experience and some of the assignments that I was asked to perform
What I wish was different
I wish that the hours were longer to be able to make more money.
Advice
Do your best
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Student Researcher
May - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I loved how I learned a great deal about health disparities, which is something I am very passionate about. I also loved how I got the opportunity to research a topic I had never been exposed to before, so I learned so much in just 3 months. I am now able to articulate responses to questions about the interesting topic.
What I wish was different
N/A
Advice
Take advantage of every opportunity presented to you!
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Research Assistant
October 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
Great pay and benefits. High chance of a return offer. Flexible hours.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assistant I
May 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
The opportunity to do independent research on a topic I was interested in was awesome. I learned a lot of skills related to design, manufacturing and coding that make me a more valuable engineer.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have come in with more experience, so that the beginning of my experience wasn’t as slow.
Advice
Reach out to people! I got this position just by emailing researchers who were doing things that sounded interesting to me. The best way to set yourself up for opportunities is by opening the door for yourself.
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Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I loved the program I was in, and how it exposed me to a lot of different physiology research going on. I liked meeting other students from around the country and hearing their perspectives and experience. It was also useful how they brought in speakers to tell us about their research and especially why they chose to do a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD.
What I wish was different
I wish there had been a little bit more variety in the research I was doing.
Advice
Keep track of your results and why you are doing experiments throughout the summer! It will make the final presentation much easier.
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Data Entry Clerk
May - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I loved learning about Audiology and how to read Audiograms. By being in the clinic every day, I learned a lot about patient interaction and how the process works to do an Audiogram. I also learned how to be an assist and teach kids how to do a conditioned response to a hearing test.
What I wish was different
At times, this job was very boring. Entering data from audiograms ever day can be a little tedious and I wish I had a chance to observe more or aid in other ways around the office.
Advice
This was a great way to get involved in a community to which I belong. I would advise future students to look in places you might not expect or at a section of your career sector that you might not know a lot about because you will learn a lot.
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Research Assistant
June - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
This institution is renounced for their research. Coming from our small cancer center at BYU, it was a whole new world. The people were brilliant that I got to work with but it wasn’t an Uber competitive environment between labs. Everyone was there to help everyone, it was awesome.
What I wish was different
Honesty I have no improvements to offer, my summer exceeded my expectations.
Advice
Be ready to jump in and learn. It is expected that you will make mistakes. Be ready to be humbled and learn a ton!
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Craniofacial Research Assistant
May 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
The opportunity to work in an NIH funded research lab was one of the most interesting and unique experiences I have ever had, and something that I never would have had the opportunity to do at home. Learning about something that applies to my future while conducting medical research was extremely rewarding and very valuable to me, and knowing that our work in the lab will help extend the quality of life for real patients in the future is something I will always find very gratifying.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had more time in the lab now that school has started, but I was extremely happy with the amount of work I was able to accomplish this summer.
Advice
Find a lab with a group of like minded researchers and assistants that want to get the same experience as you, and do not be afraid to be forward with what you want to get out of the experience. There are plenty of ways to approach research, whether you just want to get published, or if you have a genuine interest in the research, and that will dictate how you approach your work. Let your managers and PI's know what you're looking for, and they will help you.
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Research Assistant
April 2017 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
Very flexible, given my own sub-project to work on independently so I felt like an important part of the team.
What I wish was different
n/a
Advice
It's ok to do a lot of reading the literature to better understand the subject.
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Research Assistant
May 2017 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I learn a lot through research and have gained valuable experiences.
What I wish was different
Nothing.
Advice
Reach out to research departments that you are interested in because at the very least they might be looking for volunteers.
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Research Assistant
June 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
Chance to learn, mentorship from professor
What I wish was different
a "place" to go to work, where others were working--that is, have it not be completely remote
Advice
Be sure that research is the right thing for you before you hop on a long-term project.
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Research Fellow
June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
I loved that I was able to experience a new city and research faciliity outside of St. Olaf College! I was able to meet students from univerities and colleges around the world, while also working hand in hand with Doctors and other research specialists on my very own project.
What I wish was different
This program didn't provide housing for their students which I wish they would have. However, it was easy for me to find an aparment to sublet for the 10 weeks I was in Michigan.
Advice
This program is an amzaing oportunity for studnets to ask questions from Doctors, PhDs, research specifilasts and other indivudals that conduct research for a living. I would tell anyone looking into applying to this program to come with any and all questions they have about research in general and what it means to work in this field.
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Clinical trials and yardwork
June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI
What I liked
Being in experiments and earning money for a cause that makes a difference.
