http://www.fredhutch.org

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Biology Research Intern

June - August 2023 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

There was clinical and wet-lab aspects to the research.

What I wish was different

The timeline to make the poster was short since I was focused on gathering data and then attending professional development seminars and workshops to form my poster and presentation in the last few weeks.

Advice

Be open-minded to absorb all you can in the lab and the city.
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Summer Undergraduate Research Intern

June - August 2021 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I liked how everyone in my research lab was so welcoming and friendly. It was very intimidating coming in because I have never did wet lab research, but everyone there was so helpful in explaining my task and expectations. I also liked how the program had workshops to prepare you for graduate school like how to write a personal statement.

What I wish was different

I wish that we got to present our research posters at the end but due to COVID it wasn’t possible.

Advice

Go to all of the events they have planned and talk to the people in your lab about their research and experiences!
1 One person found this helpful

lab tech

May - August 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I enjoyed the work culture and the lab environment. I always felt supported and appreciated.

What I wish was different

I wish I had pursued multiple summers at Fred Hutch.

Advice

Always ask for what you want. If you want to learn about something specific, make sure you tell your coworkers.
1 One person found this helpful

Program Intern

June - August 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

It was an amazing place to get experience while networking with multiple people in various parts of the whole institution

What I wish was different

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Biology Laboratory Assistant

December 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Lab members made the experience enjoyable and enriching. Learning the process that goes into research and applying things learned in class to my work.

What I wish was different

Advice

Not to feel intimidated.
1 One person found this helpful

Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Fred Hutch has amazing resources available so I was lucky enough to use cutting-edge technology and attend a variety of interesting seminars. I am interested in pursuing a career in immunology and I was able to get lots of advice from my colleagues regarding what that might look like. I also received amazing mentorship and made connections with other students who were working at Fred Hutch.

What I wish was different

Advice

I got this job by sending emails to researchers whose work I was interested in, not through an official program. If you have good references and do your research beforehand, cold-calling a prospective employer can be effective!
1 One person found this helpful

VIDD Summer Research Intern / Research Aide

June 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Enjoyed learning about immunological research techniques and applying theory to the lab.

What I wish was different

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Summer Undergraduate Research Program Intern

June - August 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

The SURP at Fred Hutch was great because it provided career guidance for undergraduate students seeking to pursue careers in biomedical research or medicine. Additionally, I enjoyed the laid back atmosphere of the Fred Hutch while at the same time producing world class research.

What I wish was different

I wish that the program would have given more specific, as opposed to general, advice with regards to career development for students pursuing medicine as a career.

Advice

Make sure to never burn a bridge with your boss or co-workers, and always establish and maintain a network at the internship you spent your summer at.
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Lab Technician Intern

September 2017 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I have enjoyed learning proper lab techniques in reference to T-cell immunotherapy for cancer patients. In addition to that, the people who I work with are very willing to teach me new techniques and are extremely kind.

What I wish was different

I have not been able to work with my post-doc very much because she has been away at conferences and meetings but other than that it has been an excellent experience.

Advice

Fred Hutch is an excellent place to work with people who are passionate about science.
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Research assistant

June - August 2019 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I loved the atmosphere and getting to experience research at another institution. I loved being in a center where translational research was the focus.

What I wish was different

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Intern

May - July 2017 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

The work environment, the great priority put on learning, and the research we were doing.

What I wish was different

I wish I had a bit more responsibility, but that's really it.

Advice

Always ask to do what interests you.
1 One person found this helpful

Infectious Disease Scientist Summer Scholar

July - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

The entire program was a great opportunity to talk to (essentially) everyone in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Department at Fred Hutch and learn about the differences between everyone's job, research, and current life stage. Great place to make connections and learn more about different graduate paths that led people to VID in the immunocompromised host. Most of the people I met with were PIs and were very knowledgeable about their fields!

What I wish was different

It wasn't very hands on: a lot of talking with people but virtually no hands on lab work.

Advice

Be prepared to ask a lot of questions- it's literally what you're there for. A vague knowledge baseline about biological processes within infectious disease is really helpful so you can ask more detailed questions, but is not necessary
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research technician

June - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

The career building aspects, the work environment and the weekly research seminars

What I wish was different

I wish that the seminars had been geared more towards translational science

Advice

Take advantage of the resources they offer you
1 One person found this helpful

Lab Aid

February 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I enjoyed learning about what it like to work in a lab.

What I wish was different

I wish I had taken more advantage of it during the summer.

Advice

When you start something like this, you get the most out of it by diving in wholeheartedly.
1 One person found this helpful

Research Technician

July 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Great learning experience, learned a lot from PHDs and new techniques that I didn’t have during undergrad.

What I wish was different

Nothing as of now, have only been employed at this job for 6 months

Advice

Make as many personal connections as you can
1 One person found this helpful

Biology Research Intern

September 2017 - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I enjoyed how large the institution is - it allowed me to attend many interesting talks, learn from a variety of people, and collaborate with many. I really enjoyed being at a well established lab - there were many ongoing projects I got to learn about and an abundance of knowledge.

What I wish was different

I wish I had gotten to use more experimental methods.

Advice

You have to be proactive in your learning and communication. Always ask questions and speak up - you will be valued for it.
1 One person found this helpful

Biology Research Intern

July - September 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Hands on learning about real science

What I wish was different

More structure to work

Advice

There's always more work to do - so always ask!
1 One person found this helpful

Intern

November 2016 - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

I really enjoyed working with the team. Everyone was friendly hardworker. Weekly meeting was very helpful to get updates for the whole project I was part of.

What I wish was different

Advice

1 One person found this helpful

Research Assistant

July - October 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

Everything. The research, my mentor, the lab mates, everything was awesome. I loved that I got to use CRISPR to explore genes that regulate quiescence in neural stem cells to combat glioblastoma and shed light on potential therapeutic gene targets.

What I wish was different

I wish I got to spend more hours in the lab, my position was part time, only 15 hours per week.

Advice

Ask a lot of questions. You will feel stupid because everyone around you is so smart. But, don't get bogged down, they have many years of schooling, wisdom, and experience ahead of you.
1 One person found this helpful

Laboratory Intern

June - August 2018 • Seattle, WA

What I liked

The program was extremely organized and they wanted to make sure that the interns were able to take full advantage of the internship experience. There were professional development workshops and also workshops to help interns figure out what they want to choose as a career in the science field.

What I wish was different

There was nothing I wish was different .

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask questions, stay focused with the research presented to you, and to network.
1 One person found this helpful
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