Having the chance to get hands-on research experience has been so valuable to me, and it has enhanced my understanding of important topics and research methodology in science. I know for sure I want to pursue a career in this field, and I am so grateful to be working in my lab.
What I wish was different
I wish I had reached out sooner! I was afraid to send emails and contact researchers, but I am so glad I worked up the courage and motivation.
Advice
Spend time writing personal emails and letters to potential employers, it helps you stand out and even if you do not get a role, so many people I reached out to offered to help me find research opportunities!
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
June - September 2019 • Portland, OR
What I liked
The people I worked with were incredibly kind and understanding of my scheduling needs. I also loved how much person-person interaction I had and that they really trusted me to complete my tasks well.
What I wish was different
I wish it had been paid but otherwise an awesome experience.
Advice
If you are willing to be unpaid, almost any smaller research group would be happy to take you because they are underfunded and need help!
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Medical Assistant
September 2017 • Portland, OR
What I liked
Lots of great patient contact experience.
What I wish was different
Sometimes you can be stretched pretty thin and have a huge workload.
Advice
This is a great opportunity for someone entering the healthcare world. Just don't stop there!
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Equity Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Portland, OR
What I liked
Great networking opportunity and experience learning new research skills.
What I wish was different
Only thing I would’ve changed was opting for the free housing offered at PSU for this summer internship. Especially because I was commuting from Forest Grove via public transit.
Advice
I would take advantage of the opportunity to explore departments outside of the one that you’re assigned to and would ask your mentor for opportunities that align with your future research and academic interests.
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Research Assisstant
June 2019 • Portland, OR
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Create a good personal network with professors through internships and student research. This will allow you to show employers what you’re capable of as well as have a possible connection that will help ensure you get hired upon graduation
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Biomedical Research Intern
May - August 2019 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I had a great group to work with, there were lots of opportunities, very flexible, clear and defined expectations, interesting projects, and a great mentor.
What I wish was different
If I had to wish for something different it would be more clearly defined hours but I know this isn’t always possible for research.
Advice
Do research before and expect to have to learn a lot in the first couple weeks to get on pace with the project.
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Administrative Intern
June - August 2019 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I learned a lot about the healthcare industry.
What I wish was different
My supervisor wasn’t as supportive as others’ in the internship.
Advice
Take initiative and find people you would like to meet and hear from.
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Research Assistant
June - August 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I enjoyed doing research with people who do research every day, as their jobs. I met many people who told me that I had a lot of potential.
What I wish was different
I had a poor mentor experience. My mentor unexpectedly left and I was left to do my project on my own, without any help. This was extremely difficult.
Advice
I would say travel to anywhere; don't limit the internships/REUs to places around home because you enjoy home.
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Cancer Biology Lab Intern
June - August 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I loved to be able to experience the science that I had been studying in classes the year before out in the real world. It was very eye opening and amazing to see what it was like to be on the cutting edge of new medical research.
What I wish was different
I wish that I was able to participate for more of the summer instead of 8 weeks.
Advice
Look for summer opportunities early. By early I mean during fall or winter quarters. That way, you are ready to apply when applications come around, and you have a leg up on all the others who are also applying for the same internships/positions as you are.
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Internal Communication Intern
August 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I have been exposed to all sorts of projects, people, and resume-building experiences. Everyone I interact with is kind, knowledgeable, and helpful. This is a company I would love to work for post-graduation.
What I wish was different
I wish it didn't have to end!
Advice
Keep your mind open, because opportunities are everywhere!
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Summer Research Intern
June - August 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
I wanted to understand the bigger picture of real-life research. I was always interested in why it took a tremendous amount of time to generate results while in class, we could finish everything we desired in a little over 4 months. I have now learned that research is much more complicated than previously expected. A lot of sample processing and preparation goes into generating these results, which require more than one replicate to be considered valid. I am truly grateful to have be involved in and experience the process of research, as I now have a better understanding of my future career goals.
What I wish was different
Advice
Try and learn as much as you can, there is an exorbitant amount of information in the field of research.
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Lab Intern
May - August 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
At OHSU, I worked for Dr. Sandra Rugonyi researching the development of embryonic chicken hearts. I loved how hands on the internship was, and the fact that I had my own personal project to work on in the lab, allowing me to be very independent and experience what a full-time job in the biomedical engineering field might be like.
What I wish was different
Unfortunately, the project I worked on over the summer did not work out as expected. Of course I would have loved for my project to be successful, but trial and error is a big part of medicine!
Advice
I would recommend to everyone to not be scared of taking a job/internship just because you aren't an expert in the field. Going into this job, I had absolutely no idea how to work with embryos or the reagents I was using, which made the learning experience even more valuable. I learned so much more through this experience than I would have if I had taken a less hands on position which may have been easier, so my biggest piece of advice would just be to not be scared of trying an internship in a new field!
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Healthcare Administrator Intern
June - August 2018 • Portland, OR
What I liked
The Internship gave me true ownership of my project. I had many responsibilities, and felt like I was an important part of my team. In addition, I was able to shadow over 15 different administrative positions around the hospital, as well as have lunch with hospital executives every week!
What I wish was different
I wish that the program had more flexibility in choosing the department you are placed in for the summer.
Advice
Be open to all the experiences. Shadow people even if you think you won't be interested in their job. You truly never know what you might like once you experience it!
