Stanford University

Research Assistant

June - September 2020 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

Connection to faculty, flexibility to pursue own interests and shape projects

What I wish was different

More feedback and guidance, connection to other faculty in department

Advice

Be open to changing directions of project given feedback!

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Software Developer

May - August 2019 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

I loved being a part of a well established research group

What I wish was different

That I would’ve been able to work full time and not just the summer

Advice

Networking and presenting yourself is key

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Premed intern

June - August 2019 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

Grew my networks Was exposed to the level of work as a medical student Met lifelong friends Housing and food provided Had planned events and outdoor activities with the entire cohort

What I wish was different

Had no accessibility to the gym or other recreational facilities, however understandable, it is a budget limitation

Advice

Must be prepared for a high level of rigor.

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Biology Laboratory Assistant

June - September 2017 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

Learning how to do research.

What I wish was different

I wish it would have been closer to my house/ paid. I commuted 2 hours each way.

Advice

Definitely try out research before you decide what you want to do with your life.

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CURIS

June - August 2020 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

A good way to see what CS research is like

What I wish was different

In-person instead of virtual for better interaction, but that would’ve been unfeasible due to COVID-19

Advice

Contact professors early

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Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Palo Alto, CA

What I liked

Work schedule My boss was great Learned a lot

What I wish was different

That the stipend included a place to stay instead of it coming out of my salary.

Advice

Be proactive. Ask lots of questions. The people you’re working with love what they’re studying so 9 times out of 10 they’re happy to talk and explain things to you.

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Undergrad Research Intern

April 2019 - March 2020 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

I personally find research to be a fantastic way to begin to understand how topics covered in students' classes relate to real world applications. Research will always be more technical, more hands on, and more focused than most classes, and because of this, it is a great option for students with a wide range of experience levels.

What I wish was different

I wish I had asked for a little bit more structure during my internship. I was working directly under one of the newer post-docs in the lab, and because of this my project didn't have much of a concrete direction. This meant I gained a lot of trouble-shooting experience, but there was a lack of structure in the project in general. I think, in general, interns are more helpful to a lab and learn more if they are working on a project with more structure and guidance.

Advice

It is always important when working in a large lab to actually get to know your coworkers, both for social and academic reasons. Working in a large lab can be very daunting, especially as an intern. Remember that you are capable, or else you would not have been hired, and that your lab-mates have been in your position and want to help you with your roadblocks.

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Youth Leadership Conference Executive Intern

June - July 2020 • Stanford, CA

What I liked

I loved the level of autonomy - as one of two interns in my division, I was able to take on a lot of responsibility and produce work that was unique to me. I also enjoyed working in a close-knit, small office, which led to a lot of cross-division interaction with other staff and interns.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more structured interaction with my manager - I was never truly able to get clear feedback from my manager, even at the end of the internship. Additionally, although the autonomy was at times beneficial, my manager never asked for specific deliverables and was therefore unable to review the quality of my work throughout.

Advice

One piece of advice would be to get to know other interns in your division prior to starting the internship. When things kick off, knowing your peer group is perhaps even more helpful than knowing the full-time staff as work is extremely collaborative with little oversight.

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