I loved showing first-years the ropes on campus. I also surprisingly enjoyed the training sessions. I learned a lot was excited to have that wealth of knowledge for my first year group.
What I wish was different
Honestly, the only thing I really didn't like was the heat. It was beautiful the week we spent training but was ridiculously hot as soon as the first years got here. Information on how to proceed in heat could have been clearer.
Advice
DON'T LET THEM NOT DO GAMES! Your ice-breakers may seem boring but it really does help them connect.
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Political Science Research Assistant
June - July 2022 • Grinnell, IA
What I liked
Gaining vast research experiences and acquiring professional academic knowledge. Employer was nice and easygoing.
What I wish was different
More payout (laugh), and more time on the project because it's very interesting.
Advice
Make your voices heard, be confident in your capabilities and knowledge, and hope for the best. Don't lose faith in yourself.
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Summer Intern
June 2021 • Grinnell, IA
What I liked
All workers were collaborative and very kind.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Student Researcher
May - August 2019 • Grinnell, IA
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Invest yourself and don’t shy away from challenges. It may be difficult in the moment but you’re building the foundation of knowledge that will make the concepts easier to grasp at a deeper level.
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Undergraduate Researcher
June 2019 • Grinnell, IA
What I liked
I loved working one-to-one with a very knowledgeable and caring faculty. Meeting with the professor ever so often and getting assistance as needed allowed me to grow and learn at my own pace. Also, spending so much time on just one topic was easier than jiggling four classes as I do during the school year.
What I wish was different
I wish I did this opportunity during summer after sophomore year, which would allow me to get an internship during summer after junior year, which usually results in job.
Advice
Get a research opportunity during summer after your sophomore year.
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Communications Intern
March 2019 • Grinnell, IA
What I liked
I enjoyed the freedom I had to work on projects that were meaningful to me, while also contributing to the office's needs.
What I wish was different
I wish there had been a little more oversight on what I should do in between assignments. Sometimes I would be fully loaded with work and others I would be pretty free.
Advice
When writing, have patience with the review process and take editing seriously!
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Student researcher
May 2018 • Grinnell, IA
What I liked
I really enjoyed the mentorship from my professor. She gave many opportunities for us to receive feedback on our weekly work and kept us on track to get the most done during the 2-3 months. Working with peers to complete a bigger project was valuable to gain team building skills and collaboration techniques.
What I wish was different
I wish we got to engage with more of the other research students who were there. I couldn't get to meet as many new people as I hoped because I spent more time in lab and independent work than I did engaging with people outside my research group.
Advice
To take research seriously. Just because it's undergraduate research, one shouldn't feel less obligated to do well. I wouldn't recommend leaning back on the safety net of being a student researcher, and rather confront the project as though you are an employee (which you technically are).
