https://umich.edu/

University of Michigan

UM-CERN Physics REU Research Assistant

June - August 2020 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I liked the program's flexibility in dealing with the pandemic and transitioning to a virtual program. I also liked the professional development workshops.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

April - September 2020 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

It was interesting work, also liked getting acquainted with university research environment and getting to know professor well. I am also glad to have understood what the field is like.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been more involved on the lab environment side, but due to COVID-19, that was not possible.

Advice

Having had a summer internship lined up but cancelled due to COVID-19, I was disappointed to not have an industry experience. However, what I learned is that even through research or any experience working intimately with the subject, you can still figure out if that field is for you.
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Biological Technician

June 2020 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

The manager, the coworkers and the experience

What I wish was different

I wish there were more opportunities to perform more experiments

Advice

Trust your manager and be open with them. Work as hard as you can and always ask good questions
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Peer Mentor

June - August 2020 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

It was a worthwhile experience as I got to apply skills in peer mentoring and gained experience and development in skills applicable to future internships.

What I wish was different

I would have wished that upper management was a bit more flexible in adapting and meeting students' needs at the moment rather than addressing concerns during feedback sessions at the end of the program.

Advice

It is stressful at the beginning but it becomes much more feasible along the way. The key is putting in the effort from the beginning in order to not struggle later on.
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Field Archaeologist

May - June 2019 • Kosovo Polje, Pristina District

What I liked

The formative experience I was given the opportunity to have.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Get out and explore the world while young. There is no time like one's youth to travel and experience as wide an array of different cultural traditions as possible.
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Human Resources Intern

May - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I was given fantastic responsibilities and autonomy within my role, and had the pleasure of working with an outstanding team of professionals. I was invited to participate in interviews for a wide variety of positions throughout the university, as well as interview committee meetings before and after the interviews were conducted. I developing a user-friendly forum for Interview Architect Software, sat in on employee relations and disciplinary meetings, and even taught a class about Resume and Interviewing Skills!

What I wish was different

I wish I was assigned even more responsibilities! Although I enjoyed the autonomy, I could have handled more projects!

Advice

In terms of applying for a job or internship, I would recommend spending time drafting a well written cover letter that is specific to the job description. As far as the actual work, I would recommend not being afraid to ask questions of the professionals you are working with, and absorb as much information and knowledge as you can during your time there! Also go out of your way to take initiative and be creative while working on your assignments and projects. Don't wait for someone to come to you with a task, ask what you can do to help!
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Psychologist Research Assistant

July 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Great faculty, engaging research process that was not just limited to data entry. Faculty kept in close contact and care about students lives and wellbeing

What I wish was different

Nothing so far

Advice

Make sure that you research what will be expected of you in your lab beforehand. A lot of labs just give you the title of the lab to draw you in and you end up doing nothing but data entry, but thankfully in my experience at Umich, there are plenty of faculty who engage students at all sorts of processes and levels of interests/tasks. Dr. Sandra Graham-Bermann's lab has been especially great at exposing student researchers to all sorts of meaningful and engaging tasks.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - June 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I could choose my own hours, so it was flexible.

What I wish was different

I wish that I was more engaged with the other people working in the lab; I often worked alone.

Advice

Reach out to professors that you know to see if they are doing research and will hire you.
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Office Assistant

April - September 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I loved the professional development opportunities available to me as a entry level Office Assistant. Full time faculty dedicated time and resources to understand and meet the needs of young professionals.

What I wish was different

My space was a bit cramped. It wasn't uncomfortable though.

Advice

Network! Working in the University you will meet so many professionals. Making positive impressions and speaking with them will open professional and personal development opportunities.
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Team Leader of Catering

September 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Very flexible, can work as many hours as I would like, the people are great.

What I wish was different

Understaffed so can be stressful

Advice

Great job for college students!
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Research Assistant

October 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Experienced a lot of personal growth in researching

What I wish was different

Nothing!

Advice

Keep trying to get research assistant positions
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Biology Laboratory Assistant

May - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I liked that I got to learn from a great team. The supervising leader was amazing and easy to talk to. I go to know everyone there and make a good relationship. Moreover, I was able to learn a great deal more about research in the work I was doing as well as various other fields.

What I wish was different

I wish that I could have been there for longer and continued to the research. I would not change anything else because it was amazing.

Advice

You have to be confident in what you do because you will be independent in the work that you are tasked to do. However, never be scared to ask questions so that you can properly complete a task and make the learning experience and outcome that much greater.
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Research Biostatistician

June - July 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I loved working on a team with other students interested in biostatistics and learning about how to do research with big data.

What I wish was different

Advice

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planetary researcher

May 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I enjoy the opportunity to perform original research on new datasets, to study the dynamics of Mars' atmosphere, and to learn about spacecraft orbital trajectories and associated maneuvers for operational and scientific purposes.

What I wish was different

Opportunity to travel to relative conferences as part of my work.

Advice

Dive in to the work, and ask as many questions as possible.
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Parent and Family Orientation Leader

March 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

My coworkers were wonderful. The administrative staff and overall work environment were wonderful. I always felt supported and as though I could grow in my role.

What I wish was different

I wish the summer leading new freshman and transfer students around the University never had to end!

Advice

The Office of New Students is looking for diversity and leadership skills. Everybody has something special to bring to the team, and make sure this is clear and evident in your interview.
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Interior Design Intern

May - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

It was a great, well rounded, real world design experience.

What I wish was different

I wish it paid a little more.

Advice

Go all in, do your best.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Great learning experience, great people! Opportunity for presentations and professional growth

What I wish was different

Nothing!

Advice

Don't be afraid to communicate what isn't working for you in terms of your learning experience
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Psychologist Research Assistant

June - August 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Being a research assistant at the Social Minds Lab was an immersive experience in the life of a researcher. I was able to engage in all kinds of tasks, from study design to data analysis. I really enjoyed the lab camaraderie as well as being able to work under a graduate student. Since Knox College is only an undergraduate institution, my graduate student helped flesh out what being a researcher means for your day-to-day experience. I also enjoyed learning new skills, like programming R, and sharpening current skills, like oral presentation and writing research papers.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more friendship and collaboration with other interns in the research program. Many times, it felt like it was just an individual journey in research, and I would have enjoyed getting to know other interns as part of the experience.

Advice

If you are thinking about going to graduate school, it is vital you get research experience in another institution. Expose yourself to it and see if it is something you could do for 4 to 6 years. If you want to get a lucrative research internship, it is important to work hard and dig deep---superficial statements about research won't help. Once you are in the position, don't feel dismayed or discouraged if everything feels confusing and incomprehensible. It is a sharp learning curve, and you have to get used to failing before you can achieve mastery.
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Undergraduate Researcher

September 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I liked gaining laboratory experience that was very much relevant to what I was studying and also gave me an insight to something I have never experienced.

What I wish was different

Maybe more flexibility in terms of moving between labs.

Advice

Always communicate effectively and own up to your responsibilities.
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Research Assistant/Web Developer

June 2019 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

The staff, the project itself, and working on a flexible schedule over the summer.

What I wish was different

I wish I had a stronger mentor during the learning process

Advice

I think it's a wonderful opportunity to balance between taking classes or going abroad in one summer. I was able to go abroad, come back, and work for research.
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