Room and Board covered for the entire summer, as is the case with every REU program. As well, it was a nice look into what full time research, especially on a college campus, might look like day to day. There were also always different seminars to learn more about the field (I had NO experience going into the program), and to work on updating our resumes, research skills etc.
What I wish was different
At times the program was sometimes unorganized. It is important to remember that while this is the point of your entire summer, you are very minor in the scheme of most professors years-long laboratory experiments. That doesn't mean you're not important, just that sometimes you might get brushed off when something important like a conference or meeting is happening.
Advice
Look into the professors participating with the program. Some expect a lot of work, some expect nothing at all, simply that you sit an observe what their permanent researchers are doing. Make sure to ask about the time expectation and level of involvement expected from you (no it is not rude to ask that!) from each professor if you have the chance to talk to them before the program begins.
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Researcher
May - August 2021 • Mankato, MN
What I liked
The job was remote, and I appreciated the use of the Webex system.
What I wish was different
Information was hard to come by.
Advice
Be willing to ask for help as soon as possible. You may feel dumb asking, but it's better than the lack of information catching up to you later.
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Orientation Leader
May - July 2020 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
I liked the experience and how I was able to meet so many new people!
What I wish was different
The hours were long and sometimes students wouldn't show up.
Advice
It was so fun.
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Biology Research Intern
May - August 2019 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
I enjoyed gaining research experience, connecting with students that are also interested in similar areas of research, and experiencing the environment of a research lab. I gained many useful skills from this experience.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
September 2018 • Groton, CT
What I liked
I liked the independence and general aspect of the work I did, quietly sorting through and identifying benthic organisms.
What I wish was different
I wish the organisms has been preserved better.
Advice
Time management is key to success and getting the job done, especially if it is an independent project where you are managing yourself and your own hours.
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IT Student Manager
December 2017 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
I liked the amount of freedom I was given as a student manager. I was able to work on my own projects for the IT department while delegating work to other student workers at the same time so everything got done in an efficient manner.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research assistant
May - August 2019 • Mansfield Center, CT
What I liked
Professor and job research topic
What I wish was different
Environment with coworkers
Advice
You can ask those hard questions! That’s what is fun about research
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Agricultural Technician
May 2019 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
the co workers, the experience
What I wish was different
Advice
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Graduate Research Assistant
May - August 2019 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
Traveling to Stanford for a week to conduct experiments
What I wish was different
A little more organization in the experimentation would have made it better.
Advice
Research is cool give it a shot.
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IT intern
May 2019 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Look for job postings around campus because there are usually a lot of good student jobs available
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Tutor/Counselor
June - August 2019 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
I really enjoyed working with the other staff members and the kids we worked with. They were all amazing and it was a completely different experience to what I normally worked for.
What I wish was different
I wish we had more staff in order to give each student the appropriate amount of support.
Advice
Communication is key and once there was a flaw in communication, it was difficult to catch up during the day.
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Artist
July - August 2019 • Waterbury, CT
What I liked
First of all, I love the Waterbury Campus of UConn. Its a small but beautiful place filled with equally wonderful people. My employer was no exception. Dr. Susan Preston Berlin is a kind and generous woman with a passion for teaching Biology. For the pat two summers I've been returning to her classroom to create new Illustrations for her presentations and lab packets. On top of this, I also helped set up the lab, paint DNA models, help out the students, grade papers, and fetch coffee. So in a way I was like a Scientific Illustrator, a TA and an intern all at the same time. But I have no complaints, because it was just so rewarding. Seeing everyone's smiles was more than enough payment to keep me coming; though the actual paycheck wasn't too bad either.
What I wish was different
Honestly, nothing. As a summer job it was perfect. Decent pay, fantastic working environment, a variety of responsibilities that allowed me to improve my skills as well as gain new ones ... My only real complaint is that I couldn't work there longer.
Advice
Do what you love. If this is not possible, let it be done for those you love.
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Facilities Maintenance Worker
May 2019 • Storrs, CT
What I liked
I was responsible for the completion of many important tasks as my employer trusted my group and I to satisfy the requirements on an unsupervised basis.
What I wish was different
The hours were very early, but after a week of getting used to the schedule there was no issue.
Advice
UConn is a great place to work, especially over the summer, for all students. Doing so also results in forming a vital network with on campus employees and therefore gives you the upper hand when it comes to applying for the much coveted on campus jobs.
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Biology Research Intern
May - August 2018 • Farmington, CT
What I liked
I liked the freedom given to the the interns, because it helped give an "inside" look to what graduate school could be like.
What I wish was different
Transportation was an issue because you're far from the main city. There also wasn't cohesiveness on the administration end when it came to organizing things to get the interns to be involved/get to know each other.
Advice
Ask questions!
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Field research assistant
May - August 2018 • Bishop, CA
What I liked
I loved everything about it! Working with Hummingbirds and in a beautiful location. Gaining experience and having a great time.
What I wish was different
Not much I wish was different. You do need to be okay with being far from home.
Advice
Enjoy yourself, ask questions and take notes on info you learn
