I had lots of opportunities to gain experience in the world of research, from wet-lab skills to communicating with other scientists to presenting my research in poster form.
What I wish was different
At times, I was not sure what was expected of me as an intern. I think hearing from past trainees may have been helpful for this.
Advice
The experience is what you make of it! If you reach out to other scientists, ask questions, and do your own reading, you will gain much more than if you participate passively.
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Intern
June - August 2018 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
The experince of working with a globally recognized institution
What I wish was different
Advice
If you get the opportunity take it
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Intern
May - July 2021 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
Working at a prestigious institute like the NIH. Being able to learn new skills which will benefit me in the future.
What I wish was different
The internship being in-person rather than virtual
Advice
Being dedicated and committed. Make the most out of the experience by attending lectures and events hosted by the NIH.
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Biology Research Intern
June - August 2021 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
Multiple opportunities to expand my knowledge, experience and meet people. All of the staff were very welcoming. People were delighted to provide advice and training! It was more than just an internship, it included a poster presentation, lab meetings, weekly journal club, technical skills classes and career development classes.
What I wish was different
Given that it was virtual, if was hard to connect with other interns in neighboring labs.
Advice
Go for it! Ask questions, be open to learning and come prepared. Read every journal article that you can find on that topic and discuss it with your boss to ensure that you have a thorough understanding of the topic.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May - August 2019 • Newark, DE
What I liked
The experience was very informative!
What I wish was different
I wish I had found a lab that more directly corresponded to my interests so I had more of a personal attachment to the work.
Advice
Maximize your relationships with those in the lab that are willing to!
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Biology Research Intern
July - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I liked how friendly all the lab members were and learning the techniques of immunohistochemistry
What I wish was different
I wish I could've stayed longer but there was not space for me to remain in the lab beyond one month
Advice
I would advise students to not be discouraged from pursuing short internships since you would be surprised how much you can learn in even a short period of time.
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Research Assistant
June 2019 • Miami, FL
What I liked
I really like how flexible my research is and the collaborative environment that is created from being around hard-working and caring individuals.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have found this position earlier. Most importantly, I wish I would network with more doctors/ health professionals.
Advice
One piece of advice about this experience would be something my co-worker said to me. Telling me "If you ever have the opportunity to pick up and start somewhere new, do it." She planted the seed that started my curiosity to study aboard during my undergraduate.
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Comparative Oncology Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Raleigh, NC
What I liked
I was able to meet and talk to so many different people along the way. We were taught about different computer coding techniques for statistical and analytical purposes! We toured and learned about the NIH main location in Bethesda, Maryland.
What I wish was different
I hope next time I might be able to do more. We learned a lot about coding and such but aside from a few things my job was simple and somewhat repetitive. But it also depends on which university or organization that you partner with.
Advice
Keep your options open and take advantage of every opportunity, every place you go and talk to as many people as you can. This internship gives the opportunity to meet so many important and amazing people!
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NIH STAR summer student/intern
June - August 2019 • Baltimore, MD
What I liked
Everything!!! Super inspiring atmosphere and summer overall. The NIH is also really great for ANY CV/resume. The program leaders were incredible and really care about your overall success. They still keep in contact with us. The stipend was nice, as well. You are working for the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, so the funding for research is incredible. You will he exposed to a lot of top-tier research that most people aren’t even aware is going on yet. It’s an amazing opportunity. Life changing.
What I wish was different
Nothing, honestly. If I had one complaint, it’s that your first check doesn’t come until you’re there for a few weeks. As you have to find your own housing (they provide us with many helpful resources), see if you can find someone who is understanding of the fact that you won’t have your first paycheck for a few weeks.
Advice
Eat the food on the main campus! But on a more serious note, go willing to learn, network and ask questions! A lot of the other summer interns/students are doing incredible things and can be valuable to your life as both a friend and within your network. Too, the NIH is filled with a lot of big name people who will actually care about you and can provide you with valuable information and guidance. I met some incredible people who I will have in my life forever now! Go open-minded and ready to learn!!!
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Research Fellow
May - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I learned so much about my field and about medicine. I loved getting to be on the cutting edge of medical research with mentors that wanted me to have the best experience possible.
What I wish was different
I wish I had done more research beforehand. I wish there was a class that I could take that would prepare me for the basics of laboratory research.
Advice
In terms of advise, I would make sure that you are committed and motivated. If you are emotionally and mentally invested, then you will make connections and gain knowledge that is invaluable.
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Biology Intern
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
Able to work with leading experts in the field on new research; provided me with ideas for my summer project, learned about the potential impact of my own research.
What I wish was different
Maybe a little more involvement with other departments (although this might be different for different labs, since everything I needed was in one lab).
Advice
Really make sure you understand everything about the process, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
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Reasearcher
June - August 2019 • New Brunswick, NJ
What I liked
I liked how I was able to conduct my own research with the guidance of an advisor. I was able to lead a few trips to our sampling sites so it was a nice mix of field work and lab work.
What I wish was different
I wish we were given more time to conduct the research since 10 weeks is not nearly long enough to dive deep in the work.
Advice
Make sure you are prepared to work since it is basically a full time job for the duration of your term.
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NIH Postbacc Fellow
July 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
The hands on experience and guidance provided to post-baccs.
What I wish was different
more preparation during school to do this intense research
Advice
Be open and realize that you won't know everything about research off the bat. You'll continue to learn something new everyday.
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Administrative intern
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
What I wish was different
I wish I had been conducting research, instead I was supporting intramural researchers through working at the Office of Intramural Research
Advice
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Pathways Intern
May 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I enjoyed learning about the extramural research that NIH helps to fund and I had the chance to work with a variety of scientists and administrators on upcoming public health projects that will be implemented on a wide scale in the next decade.
What I wish was different
Sometimes office work could be menial and repetitive
Advice
Working for the federal government is an amazing experience for any public health student because their work is so vital to the success of our field
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Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
May - July 2019 • Kingston, RI
What I liked
The opportunity to have an independent research project studying Biomedical science at the University of Rhode island. Hands on experience and was able to gain lab skills required for my future. We discussed the importance of scientific ethics, scientific communication, and laboratory safety.
What I wish was different
Nothing. I really enjoyed this entire experience
Advice
There is a poster conference at the end of the program, but no one communicates much about it until the end. Do not wait until the last week to start this poster
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Research assistant
May - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
Good experience, learned a lot
What I wish was different
More mentoring
Advice
Push yourself to meet other PIs
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Clinical Research Assistant
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I enjoyed my lab group, they gave me a lot of flexibility in my work which I enjoyed. They were also willing to let me observe surgeries which I learned a lot from. I felt I was able to learn at my own pace and in my own way.
What I wish was different
I wish I was able to do some basic science research in addition to clinical research.
Advice
Don’t be afraid to reach out to other professionals that work under the same employer. Often times people are more than willing to share their experiences with you.
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Web Intern
May - July 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I liked the work environment from my supervisor, to my co-workers, to the work I was doing, to the learning opportunities they provided me with.
What I wish was different
I wish the commute to the internship wasn't so long. I had to take the metro (1.5 hr one way) to travel to the Medical Center metro stop where the National Institutes of Health Bethesda campus was located.
Advice
Internships are what you make it to be; the more you put in, the more you get out of it.
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Research assistant
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
The environment and plentiful resources they had for summer interns.
