I loved the community of summer researchers. There was a lot of support.
What I wish was different
Be more active with the other undergraduates and graduate students!
Advice
Participate and be fully conscious in everything you participate in.
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REU
June - August 2018 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
Flexible work environment. Interesting assignment. Open ended work.
What I wish was different
More structure.
Advice
Great experience to expand your knowledge on subjects.
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Research Assistant
May - August 2019 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
Was able to make my own schedule of experiments for the week, and was able to get trained on useful equipment for analysis
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assistant
June - August 2018 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
Pay was good. The PhD fellow I was working with was very enthusiastic. Felt like the research I was doing could have lots of potential in the future, whether it be for more research or a potential business idea. Had a good amount of responsibility, but not too much that I felt overwhelmed.
What I wish was different
Wanted more to do at times, however this was sometimes not possible since the experimenting we were doing required a lot of time (ie leaving mixtures stirring, heating, etc for extended periods of time)
Advice
Be open to learning and doing research on your own. I was originally very unfamiliar with the research/experimenting we were doing, so I had to learn about it on my own. By the end of my time there I was very familiar with it and had learned a lot.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May - August 2020 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
This job was very time-flexible and I could work entirely on my own schedule.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Program Coordinator
May - August 2019 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
Working with other students on a team and learning professionals skills
What I wish was different
More clear expectations of time to be spent on projects. I believe some of the job had unwritten expectations that I should spend extra unpaid hours and this would have been nice to be aware of before applying.
Advice
This job was great experience with many helpful mentors.
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Student
May 2020 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I enjoyed the ability the create my own projects and pursue them.
What I wish was different
That it was in-person but couldn't be because of covid
Advice
Follow through on your projects, create the change you want to see
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Summer Research Assistant
June - September 2022 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I liked the many different options and opportunities with doing this research. The projects I worked on were all something I or other students have come up with, and had a big focus on the integration of engineering and social issues. Specifically, we developed project based learning modules for young minorities to open up STEM as a potential future. It felt impactful, and the work was rewarding.
What I wish was different
I wish we were able to give our project more exposure. The time constraint limited how far we could develop this project. Additionally, our research project was brand new, and we could not get much further than the beginning stages of testing our demo.
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
June - October 2019 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
The topic of research was really interesting to study. The project itself was really fun to work om from start to finish.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had gotten the chance to work with more people, the projects were teams of two with a weekly meeting that included everyone.
Advice
Choose a project that you are passionate or interested in, because it makes the overall experience more enjoyable and beneficial.
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Facilities Maintenance Worker
May - August 2019 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
This type of job experience that I otherwise would not have and the people I worked with. They're very funny and understanding. Work facilities!
What I wish was different
I got fired. I'm still a good worker tho. I promise 😁
Advice
Don't try to finesse too much.
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Undergraduate Researcher
June - August 2021 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I liked the independence of doing my own research after learning how to perform all the relevant tests I needed.
What I wish was different
I conducted research in a biology topic, but I'm majoring in Chemical Engineering so I wish it could've been more relevant to chemistry.
Advice
Be willing to learn new things and understand that any data you collect is useful in one way or another.
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SOAR Fellow
May - July 2021 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I liked that I was able to complete the work remotely and work one-on-one with professors at WPI to get a tailored experience.
What I wish was different
I wish it had lasted for a few more weeks of the summer
Advice
Be prepared to have a daily check in with a supervisor and make sure you have ways to avoid becoming distracted when you work fully remotely.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May - December 2023 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I enjoyed gaining new laboratory skills.
What I wish was different
I would have appreciated a more organized schedule and better communication about scheduling.
Advice
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Intern
May - July 2021 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I loved the design of the program. We had career/ personal development sessions and a design competition between the interns.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May - August 2023 • Worcester, MA
What I liked
I enjoyed learning from my fellow researchers as well as my professor. I also enjoyed working on a product that Would be used in the classroom, it felt like it mattered more
What I wish was different
I wish more if my teammates were in person with me. It made work seem more daunting and individual when we were seperated.
Advice
Understand your professors expectations and set a schedule that would allow you to achieve that and more. So when you inevitably run into an issue your have extra time to take Carrie of it.
