Northwestern University

Research Assistant

June - September 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

It was a research job.

What I wish was different

It was isolating.

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Temporary Research technician

November 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I like doing PCR and playing bacteria

What I wish was different

Don't know. I start next week

Advice

Don't be too hard on yourself after an interview. I thought I did poorly but the interviewer thought I was brilliant and great for the role. So you never know. Ask questions during an interview.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Assistant

January 2017 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I loved the mentorship I received and the simultaneous independence I was allowed to explore within my research.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more to do — I was being paid full-time to come into work 3 days a week, because I just finished all of my work on those days and had no need to come in half the time. It was nice to have a relaxing summer but I really just want to be conducting research and collecting data.

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask for help — it's weird if you don't.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Student

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Having the independence to conduct my own research project under the supervision of experienced and knowledgeable faculty.

What I wish was different

N/A

Advice

Research projects are as much or as little as you make of them---so put in all the time you can!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

REU Student

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I enjoyed the learning experience from being in this program. Not only did I learn a ton from working in a computational biology lab, but I also learned how to live on my own since it was the first time I left home. It was a great opportunity for me. The program also provided us with financial help workshops and weekly lunches with faculty. I would definitely recommend this program and I would not hesitate to go again.

What I wish was different

I wish I could choose the lab that I want to work in after a trial of each and learning what each lab does. I did enjoy working in my lab, though. I just think it would have made it more personal to have that choice.

Advice

Don't take the program lightly even if you don't think you have a ton of work on your hands. There is also something you can be doing in research. READ!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Researcher

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

This research position was apart of an SROP program (Summer Research Opportunity Program). I loved the location, and the supportive graduate students and professors. I had an amazing time and became exposed to multiple biochem. techniques that will provide very useful for me in the future.

What I wish was different

I do not wish a single thing had been different.

Advice

You get out of it what you put in. The experience is what you make it, and it is up to you to utilize your time there wisely.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I liked the work environment and how inclusive and helpful the culture is. I also liked how there was an emphasis on student life through different programs and organization to enhance and enrich student experience.

What I wish was different

I wish they paid me for the internship. It was intensive and a lot of work but i all I got is experience.

Advice

Try making as much connections as possible. one of my mentors at the program told me that all you need is competence and connections. Try to get onto linked In, wiser, and handshake. You should pursue anything that helps you increase your horizons.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I have learned a lot about clinical research and had the opportunity to job shadow physicians.

What I wish was different

Advice

Absorb as much knowledge as possible.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Cancer Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

This program helped me delve into bench research. It fueled my passion for cancer by allowing me to use state of the art equipment and techniques to learn more about melanoma. They provided opportunities to learn more about Northwestern’s professional schools.

What I wish was different

I wish there were a few more structured programs/events. The internship was very one man for themself.

Advice

If at first you don’t succeed, try try again research can be disappointing if you don’t get results, but do not get discouraged. Keep trying!

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Intern

June - September 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Enjoyed working on prototypical biomimetic robots - this field is expanding and I got the chance to work with this technology at the forefront. Team included a diverse array of backgrounds.

What I wish was different

I wish I'd gotten more tasks suited for the major I switched into prior to starting the internship - got mostly mechanical engineering related projects as a computer science major. This isn't so much on my supervisors as it is on me for not speaking up more and asking for computational work to do.

Advice

When given extremely unstructured research work, always keep asking to find more things to do, and don't be discouraged when there doesn't 'seem' to be a clear path ahead. The heart of research is experimentation and exploration, so it's okay to take risks so long as you document everything for other people.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Research Assistant

June 2017 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Independency

What I wish was different

Advice

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Rotational Summer Intern

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Make sure to reach out to the people working in your office to hear about their personal paths into the profession

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Assistant

May - August 2017 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Location and peers.

What I wish was different

I wish the program lasted longer.

Advice

Ask a lot of questions and reach out to/connect with all the great resources and minds around you.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Research Assistant

June 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

I loved taking an active role in meaningful research that brings attention to a demographic that is not normally studied in the field. It was also a great way to think deeply about particular subject matters and sharpen my analytical skills. The people in my lab are also wonderful to be around and talk to.

What I wish was different

I honestly wish that there was more work to do sometimes. It was nice to be in a relaxed environment and have space between tasks, but I like to keep busy.

Advice

I would encourage all research assistants to share their thoughts with their mentors even if that means questioning what the mentor believes to be correct. My mentors valued my opinions and were always impressed when I did this because it showed that I was actively thinking and wasn't afraid to speak up.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Researcher

June 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Great lab environment.

What I wish was different

Advice

Research takes a while.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Academic Office Manager

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

Challenging, great supervisor and coworkers, rewarding experience

What I wish was different

More orientation, more organization from others

Advice

The center for talent development is a fantastic program and place to work.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Researcher

June - August 2018 • Evanston, IL

What I liked

The independence

What I wish was different

I wish I had more guidance

Advice

Be sure to be ready to be very independent and make your own schedule.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Chicago, IL

What I liked

I learned about what research means in an intellectual capacity, and got to go to a jewish theology seminar and see the result of research in action.

What I wish was different

I wish I had had more structured hours, as it was mostly me making myself do work, but I also gained skills in self motivation and structure

Advice

When working in an environment where you get to set your own hours, plan ahead, get to a space to do work, and treat the time you have set as work time as though you are in an office.

Be the first to mark this as helpful