https://umich.edu/

University of Michigan

Student Researcher

June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I learned a lot and had a lot of autonomy over how to approach the problem I had been tasked with.

What I wish was different

There wasn't as much supervision as I would have liked and I spent a lot of time being a confused about the research process and how to organize myself in approaching the tasks at hand. (though I learned a lot through the experience)

Advice

Be ready to be independent. Find your own papers, your own methods, actively check in with advisers to be sure you are on a decent path, and then implement confidently. Make sure to always test your hypothesis. Being formal about the research process can really help with keeping yourself grounded through this process. This mindset and these skills will keep you level headed in times of frustration and confident in times of confusion.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Assistant

June 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I really enjoyed the work environment with the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Everyone was extremely kind and helpful.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research assistant

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Working in an academic research environment exposed me to vast new knowledge of career paths, topics, and methodologies for health services and intervention study research.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Library Operations

October 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I love just having a stable schedule and being able to learn and grow within a company that cares about its employees! Even though University of Michigan is a huge entity and network, I'm still confident enough to continue my employment here for the next couple of years. I'm also happy that I have benefits as well! I love being able to talk with my staff about anything and being in a place with so many other people, peers, and researchers checking out books that they are interested in. Overall: Benefits, Great Pay, Balanced Schedule, and other job duties particular to my department.

What I wish was different

I wish I would've learned how to negotiate my salary without being nervous since this was my first salary job outside of working part-time (but really working full time without benefits). Since I just started, I'm still learning day by day so everyday is a new day for me in the library.

Advice

Networking with people is how I got my current position. Trust me when they say it isn't what you know but who you know, its for the most part its correct. Always put your best foot forward and in a " non-cheesy way" believe in yourself to the best of your abilities! Never ever feel like you aren't good enough for any position no matter what the job is.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I liked how Calvin College had a connection with the University of Michigan. The research opportunities at the University of Michigan are career altering. I enjoyed working in a professional environment and the networking opportunities it offered.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been able to continue my research here at Calvin.

Advice

One piece of advice I have for students is to look into all the opportunities that Calvin offers. There are so many good opportunities for STEM students that calvin has connections to. There are Calvin alumni who are leaders within their perspective fields of research. Seek out these opportunities and grow from an off campus internship.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Near Peer Facilitator

June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I loved the ability to dialogue with students and work with a group of dedicated peers.

What I wish was different

I wish the program had been longer.

Advice

You may think you understand facilitation, and high schoolers; but you don't, you will learn more than you would think possible.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Research Assistant

September 2017 - May 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I loved being able to receive experience in a field that I would like to work in for a career.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more resources for mental health because it really decreased my availability near the end of the school year.

Advice

Always try to gain some sort of friend-like relationship with your colleagues. They are always the ones to understand the most and will be the most willing to help. However, as always, professional relationship first and friend second.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

RA

June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I was an RA for a summer program called M-STEM. It was a great experience! It was very laid back while allowing me to build my leadership skills and quick decision making.

What I wish was different

I want to go into the medical field, and so this isn’t super applicable to the science that they want in an application.

Advice

His is a good job for between your freshman and sophomore years. Other than that, you’re better off getting an internship.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Researcher and Software Engineer

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

The monthly conferences, the opportunity to work with more experienced people

What I wish was different

Real workspace rather than working from home/wherever

Advice

It's very self motivated even though you report biweekly; make sure to stay on track and ask as many questions to your leads as you can when planning your tasks
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Researcher

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I enjoyed the opportunity to work on my own project and employ the skills I 'd learned from working on a lab on my University's campus, while also receiving valuable input from my PI and mentor.

What I wish was different

I wish I had gotten the opportunity to talk to people in my cohort more. There weren't many events dedicated to helping us bond, so I never formed friendships that could have been enjoyable.

Advice

I encourage people to talk to as many grad students on campus as possible. They have a lot of experience and are always willing to offer great tips about how to pursue research and apply to graduate school
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Residential Assistant

July - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

It would be most conducive to take up this job with another part time job or a summer class!
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer Research Fellow

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I apppreciated the collaborative learning environment at UMich. I was comfortable asking my colleagues and peers questions, and they made work fun. Hard work was expected, but also rewarded to some extent.

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Good research experience

What I wish was different

More hands on engagement with the research projects.

Advice

Psychological research may get repetitive since you are testing hundreds of participants in the same way but remember the larger goal of the research and stay motivated
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Student researcher

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I liked the ability to learn and research a medicinally relevant project

What I wish was different

I had no qualms with my experience

Advice

Ask yourself if that type of job is something you'd like to do in the future
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Interior Design Intern

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Working for the University.

What I wish was different

More work to do.

Advice

Be humble.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Web Developer/Designer

May 2017 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Interns got to work on projects where they really excel as well as sample other roles to see if that appeals to them too.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more time. Things had to be done quickly because you were juggling different projects in a short time period.

Advice

This is a still a time where you are not sure what you want to do with your life. Pay close attention to what you like/dislike and apply that to your search for your next job opportunity.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Procurement agent

June 2016 - January 2017 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Coworkers

What I wish was different

More variety

Advice

Ask to shadow as many people/teams as possible
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Summer Conference Assistant

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

I had a great coworker and the environment was pleasant. I enjoyed the interactions with the students attending conferences and enjoyed learning from them.

What I wish was different

There was construction and a lot of maintenance throughout the summer which would have been nice to have less of. It’s Michigan though, so it was alright to work through.

Advice

Don’t be afraid to learn from those around you within the conferences and your building staff.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Development Intern

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

The Internship experience doubling as a learning experience and having a group of students going through the same experiences as myself.

What I wish was different

The time requirement

Advice

o be dedicated in everything that you do, even if it isn't an ideal situation.
Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Researcher

May - August 2018 • Ann Arbor, MI

What I liked

Seeing the university, city, and meeting new people

What I wish was different

That the program was more organized

Advice

Look for housing as much as possible before you go
Be the first to mark this as helpful