Wesleyan University

Research Fellow

May - July 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

During the first few weeks of the program, I learned how to perform basic lab procedures such as making LB plates, running western-blots, running colony PCRs, etc. Then, I was able to apply these basic procedures to my own research project and obtain results which I could analyze. I became more comfortable working in the wet-lab and obtained basic skills necessary in the lab. I also learned how to analyze my western-blot results using semi-quantitative analysis using the programs ImageJ and program R. I also loved working at Wesleyan during the summer because I had to become independent and live on my own instead of relying on my parents. I had to cook, work out, work, and also do my own laundry; it was a good experience to carry so many responsibilities.

What I wish was different

I wish I had lived on campus because the walk was a little bit inconvenient and the place I lived in also had no WiFi or AC which also was a big inconvenience.

Advice

I would advise that you learn how to cook on your own and also learn about which items in the grocery stores are perishables. I went grocery-shopping on my own for the first time and made a lot of mistakes, but the experience has helped me learn a lot about which foods to buy in bulk, and which to buy every week.

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Research Assistant

June - September 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

The environment was warm and accepting and everyone was willing to help in anyway possible.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

The experience is short and there are so many wonderful and helpful people to meet. The best thing you can do is build strong connections that will persist long after you have left so that everyone here is just an email away from helping you when need be.

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Recipient of a Summer Experience Grant

June - August 2018 • Berkeley, CA

What I liked

Applying for and receiving the Wesleyan Summer Experience Grant allowed me to pursue a non-traditional research project last summer. I was able to get on the ground experience working with and interviewing organizations that related to my academic field of interest, as well as embark on a once-in-a-lifetime hiking trip to self-explore in the service of rethinking a connection to "nature" and the built-environment.

What I wish was different

I wish I had some more time before the experience began to properly prepare. Coming out of a very busy school year I had to jump into a difficult experience that at times I wish I would have been more mentally and physically prepared for such a radically different day-to-day from what I had experienced at school.

Advice

I think if you are able to get a Summer Experience Grant the best piece of advice I can give is to take advantage of the freedom it can afford you before entering a more restrictive environment. Put yourself out of your comfort zone, try new things and explore, because you will never know where you may find inspiration .

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Alumni and Parent Relations Intern

June - August 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

The people and how much of a community the department is.

What I wish was different

Given more responsibility in my work.

Advice

Be proactive about taking on more responsibility.

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Research Intern

May - July 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

Opportunity to focus completely on my research project Built relationship with advisor and other lab members Enjoyed being on campus

What I wish was different

I wish I could have stayed for longer

Advice

Research is slow sometimes, but be flexible and stay positive.

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Research Assistant

July 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

Individual research experience

What I wish was different

nothing

Advice

Helpful to learn more about research in psychology

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College of Integrated Sciences Fellow: MacQueen Laboratory

May - August 2017 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

The ability to fully immerse myself into research for the first time was extremely exciting! I was given the freedom & the opportunity to make my own mistakes, but always had so many people to help me along with every step. Research is challenging, frustrating, but incredibly rewarding.

What I wish was different

There will be less students on campus than there is during the typical school year, so you need to be intentional about building community within your lab & residence. CIS also hosted weekly movie nights so be sure to take advantage of those type of opportunities!

Advice

It really helps if you start attending lab meetings & learning a few skills during the semester before you become a research fellow! I had to dive in without any prior knowledge, and it was hard to only have a week to be trained by my mentor before needing to do more independent research.

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Field Assistant

May - July 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

I liked learning a lot during this experience and getting to work closely with a Wesleyan professor. I gained experience in field ecology and got to know a lot more about Connecticut's ecosystems.

What I wish was different

I wish that the experience had been for the entire summer.

Advice

Finding housing close to campus that is not super expensive is challenging.

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Student Research

June - August 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

I really learned a lot in the lab, built a good relationship with my PI, and experienced a great lab community.

What I wish was different

I wish housing and food options on campus were better.

Advice

Get to know the people you are working with and take responsibility for your learning.

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Undergraduate Researcher

May 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

I enjoyed finally experiencing what it would be like to do research full-time.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more time to complete my project.

Advice

I would have been better organized in the beginning to allow for less time to have been spent figuring things out along the way.

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Sustainability Office Intern

May - December 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

I liked having a lot of personal responsibility and autonomy in the projects I was assigned.

What I wish was different

A lot of my job ended up being small logistical things. I was happy to do them since I accepted that it should not be my boss's job to do them, but I enjoyed them less.

Advice

Open and clear communication with your boss is really important. Also, something I always keep in mind is a good worker is someone who just does what they're told. So just do what you're assigned to do.

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Biology Research Intern

May 2018 • Middletown, CT

What I liked

I liked the research topic, my research advisor and the lab members. They were very supportive and willing to teach me new skills.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have dived more into the hands-on research but I spent a lot of time understanding the material which, in the long run, is also very important.