Strong communication about what you want to explore, how you want to explore it, and what you need to succeed will make the experience the best it can be.
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Undergraduate Researcher
May - August 2023 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I learned lab skills and animal handling.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been able to contribute more to the design of experiments, not just the execution.
Advice
Read and learn as much as you can about the background of the project, and make sure you understand why you're doing what you're doing.
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Independent Researcher
June 2023 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I appreciated being able to carry out my own independent research project under the supervision of a chosen faculty member.
What I wish was different
The funding disbursement process could be annoying and tedious at times, especially when undertaking research outside of the US.
Advice
I would highly advise those looking to undertake this kind of experience to be very specific and pragmatic as it pertains to goals and deliverables you will be working towards/producing.
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Research Fellow
June - August 2023 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Very supportive mentors and program directors. Great dorm experience.
What I wish was different
Journal club was not actually a journal club, and largely non-applicable to most students’ disciplines. Not great access to food.
Advice
Go in with an open mind and good work ethic.
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Undergrad
June 2021 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Flexibility, engagement, impact, ability to act
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Specialist
April - September 2021 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The variety of lab techniques learned, and the willingness of the PI to help the interns and get us involved in the research process. The PI was very experienced.
What I wish was different
The lab felt isolated outside of working with the PI and the other intern. I wish we had more social interaction with more of the labs or scientists at UPenn.
Though many lab techniques were learned over the course of the internship, the variety of work on a day to day basis was low. We did not have a lot of time to practice certain techniques we may have needed practice with unless they were assigned for work.
A paid experience may have been preferable, as we had overtime hours at times, and the work was taken extremely seriously.
(This is purely from my experience from one of the many labs at UPenn, and does not reflect all labs!!!)
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask your PI questions to make sure that you're doing the right thing or if you're thinking about a concept the right way. Speak out about techniques you observe and want to learn.
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Research Assistant
June 2021 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked how easy it was to apply to PURM and that most of the labs participating were open to inviting students back for the fall. I also liked that it pushed me to try a different area of research which led me to finding my new passion - gerontology.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Undergraduate Researcher
June - August 2021 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked the independence allowed for the research projects.
What I wish was different
I wish we had more input to which research group we would be working with.
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
June 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Have the chance to explore topics that interests me and learn.
What I wish was different
More structured.
Advice
Really need to find a short-term goal yourself and well-utilize the flexibility.
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Earth Sciences Research Assistant
June 2019 - August 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Ability to work remotely, ability to work on independent research project
What I wish was different
Would have liked to get paid for my independent project rather than just the data management tasks I performed for my official research role
Advice
Independent project development is valuable regardless of whether you get paid or not
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Undergraduate Researcher
May 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Active and healthy network of researchers; mentoring from postdocs and PI.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assisstant
June - August 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I enjoyed the flexibility of working on my own hours.
What I wish was different
I wish that my expectations were more clear.
Advice
Reach out to your professors to see if they have openings for research.
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Research Intern
June - August 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The virtual flexibility during Coronavirus.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Chemistry Researcher
May 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Flexible hours
What I wish was different
Higher pay and more tangible work tasks
Advice
It is self driven
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
May - July 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
A great way to learn more about research.
What I wish was different
My professor did not mentor me sufficiently and hence I was not able to learn a lot.
Advice
Find a professor who is really willing to share knowledge, interact and spend time with you and mentor you.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
February 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Great hands on experience with full systems engineering focus
What I wish was different
Schedule could have been more structured
Advice
This position is for highly self-motivated people.
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Research Assistant
June 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I was a research assistant to a graduate student of Dr. Doug Jerolmack's Sediment Lab. I learned a lot from my advisor about the research process, and I eventually took over the project when he left. I loved the flexibility & freedom I had to plan out my day and the support from the Sediment Lab throughout the Summer.
What I wish was different
I wish we had a bigger budget!
Advice
Show initiative.
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Biostatistician Intern
June 2018 - May 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The people were very nice and helpful. Flexible schedule and remote position. They taught me a lot. Useful to my major and I learned two new programming languages. Helped me get a full time position at UPenn.
What I wish was different
I wasn’t paid until August. I wish I was paid earlier in the summer.
Advice
Show interest and ask if you can continue your internship through the school year.
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archaeology field hand and official field photographer
June 2019 • Wilkinson, MS
What I liked
I liked all of it. I had been down in Mississippi on this dig the summer before and was offered to come back this year as the field photographer.
What I wish was different
Nothing
Advice
If you are working/interning for an organization you had been at previously, see what other opportunities you can get from it. During mine we opened an museum exhibit based on the work being done and I was hired as the event photographer. This internship allowed me to gain more archaeology training as well as official hired photography work.
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Athletics Marketing Intern
September 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
fun environment, Good group of people, enjoyable experience
