Biola University

Biology Research Intern

May - July 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I really enjoyed getting to learn more about what research in biology actually looks like, how to ask good questions, and how to go about finding answers.

What I wish was different

I wish we had better success with our projects.

Advice

I learned how to deal with disappointment in research and you just have to take it as it comes and keep asking questions

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Research Assistant

May 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I loved learning how to ask meaningful questions and contrive novel methodologies to sufficiently answer those questions. We explored the heterogeneous ozonolysis and UV Photolysis of Chlorpyrifos via Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). I loved familiarizing myself with precision instrumentation and ascertaining chemical complexities with certitude of knowledge. I learned to steward intellectual capitol winsomely and respectfully.

What I wish was different

I wouldn’t make any paradigmatic shifts. The scientific approach itself was galvanizing and thought provoking. However, pragmatically, it would have been nice to log the full extent of hours worked in stead of condensing the timecard down to a lesser amount of good hard hours. In other words, there was something of a logistical debacle in the HR department which wedged a fit salary into an hourly scaffold. This was moderately frustrating because it accentuated the exhaustive hours worked with no pay on a daily basis. But, I’m beyond grateful for the experience as a whole!

Advice

When entering the scientific arena—or any professional discipline for that matter—sow bountifully and cultivate indefatigably. Work with visceral energy and insatiable curiosity. Don’t be afraid to delve into the eloquence of a thought project or explore finely nuanced literature germane to the task at hand. Employers love impetus and verb. So take initiative. Go above and beyond.

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Conference Services Host

May - August 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

If you want a job with a lot of consistent hours, work at conference services!

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Custodial Worker

May - September 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

How we had a devotion before our shifts and how loving everyone was.

What I wish was different

I wish it didn’t have to be at 5 am but I understood why.

Advice

Be ready to work. It’s an easy job to an extent but you must be ready.

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Lifeguard

May 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I liked the staff that I worked with this summer and the ability to build unity through community. We strove to do our job well and also have fun at the same time. It was a laid back environment in terms of taking leadership, but we equally shared in taking initiative and setting goals.

What I wish was different

The only thing that I wish had been more different may have been more training sessions throughout the summer to keep refreshed on our training and techniques.

Advice

I would say to anyone interested in becoming a lifeguard to really take the time to self-evaluate and consider if they are mentally, emotionally, and physically capable of jumping into a job that requires most of your attention and energy. I think that even if you think you might not do well, you should at least give it a shot, but to also realize what you are getting into it because it isn't the most flexible or easy job to do.

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Summer Mechanical Engineering intern

June - August 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

It was awesome to work with a diverse group of other engineers on a wide range of projects for the Chemistry and Biology departments. Our work helped facilitate their own projects.

What I wish was different

It would have been nice to have had a handful of more projects to work on, as I felt that towards the end of the summer there wasn’t much to do.

Advice

Take full advantage of opportunities to challenge yourself and increase your capabilities as an engineer, because that will only make you a better engineer and better person in the end.

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Print Production

May 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I liked how I learned a lot about an in-house marketing agency. It was great working for a school you go too and everything was pretty flexible.

What I wish was different

I wish I felt more comfortable in the workplace right off the bat. It was hard to connect with people at first.

Advice

Don't be afraid to take ownership of the internship. They hired you for a reason and want to see you excel as well.

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Resident Coordinator

May - August 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I really enjoyed the training I received and the way I was able to use it to care for students and work in housing. It was an incredible experience that has altered my plans for the future in a positive way.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Junior Graphic Designer

August 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

The work environment!

What I wish was different

Nothing, I loved the experience!

Advice

Always ask questions!

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Library Circulation Clerk

April 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

Supervisors are super friendly, training and job description is well managed and clear.

What I wish was different

A shorter training experience

Advice

Pay attention, talk to your co workers.

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Government Relations Assistant

June 2017 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

This position gave me a number of research opportunities - that honed my skills in policy research, local government outreach, event coordinating and planning as well as memo writing. The flexible hours to accommodate my coursework as a student, as well as the ability to research broad areas of public relations and public policy was a fantastic aspect of the position.

What I wish was different

I think it would have been helpful to have had a full time government relations supervisor earlier on when I first started the position, and it would be helpful to have more clearly delineated areas of research and responsibility.

Advice

Go above and beyond what you're asked to do, research broadly in ways that could be preemptive and helpful for your superiors, and be considerate of the ways in which you approach your position and it's meaningfulness. That will inevitably show in the quality of work you put out.

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Construction help

May - July 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

This job allowed for a lot of growth but also team building and collaboration amongst coworkers. Hard job but rewarding.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Web Accessibility Technical Assistant

June - August 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I enjoyed learning how to use Adobe Acrobat and being able to help and interact with the various Professors

What I wish was different

I am fairly content with how this part time job went!

Advice

If you have any questions, do not be shy and feel free to ask everyone else if you have questions, they will find a way to help you out. There is no such thing as a stupid question when learning how to use programs.

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Conference Services Host

May - August 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I thoroughly enjoyed the job as a whole. From washing linens, distributing guest room keys, and answering phone calls, the summer was incredible. Obviously, those tasks do not sound special or glamorous in and of themselves, but it was my coworkers that made it memorable! Each person in this amazing team brought something special: some were especially encouraging, some were especially hardworking, and some were especially willing to do whatever was needed.

What I wish was different

Since this summer was my second summer as a Conference Host, I was trusted with some more administrative work than my peers. While most of the team would go out and set up rooms with linens and do laundry, I would be in the office by myself taking care of emails and such. I wish I could have been with my coworkers more this past summer.

Advice

No matter how much you may dislike a superior, it is always best to respect him or her regardless! First of all, that person has been given that position for a reason (no matter how impossible it seems). It's important to respect that person and respect the authority he or she has been given. It's also imperative you do so in a way your peers can see. Encourage others to also respect that superior! Gossip and bitterness will only hurt the flow of the team which can lead to tasks poorly done or neglected.

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Student Custodian

May - September 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

The people I got to work with, staying close to campus for the summer.

What I wish was different

The hours I was working- I was on the early morning crew, which was difficult.

Advice

Working for on-campus facilities is a great experience.

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Student Athletic Trainer

September 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

Great atmosphere to receive fieldwork experience. Athletes are extremely welcoming and thankful.

What I wish was different

To have a mentor that shows new workers tips and tricks to accomplish tasks well.

Advice

Be bold and confident in your abilities, however, have humility to learn the skills required to give the best care as possible to the athletes.

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Library ILL Serials

November 2018 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

There is a system and follow the various checklists for each duty. There is independence in performing the duties

What I wish was different

Nothing. It is a great job and I have a wonderful supervisor.

Advice

It helps to be flexible with your schedule and understand there are other duties to do when the regular scheduled duties fall behind. For example, the delivery of books were sometimes early or late which could impact how fast you need to complete your morning duties and fill time when the books don't come as expected

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Academic Advisor

May - August 2020 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

I loved that I go to work with incoming students, as well as work alongside coworkers that I have worked with in the past. I also really enjoyed working for Biola since I'm very passionate about Biola's mission. It is also a job that cultivates a lot of my strengths and allows me to be stretched in my areas of weakness.

What I wish was different

I wish we could have been on campus! The job was virtual this summer, and I was really hoping that we could be in person to work. I also wish that I would have been able to work more than 25 hours a week!

Advice

Don't be afraid to try a job you wouldn't initially go for! Although I was excited and passionate about Academic Advising, I had never thought of it as a career option for myself since it had nothing to do with my major. Since I broadened my horizons though, I got to participate in an opportunity that will hopefully lead to a full time position!

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Engineering Physics Intern

May - July 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

The freedom to pick which projects I was interested in.

What I wish was different

I wish it could have gone longer over the summer.

Advice

Anything has room for improvement if you are willing to think hard about it.

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Custodian

May 2019 • La Mirada, CA

What I liked

Work that helped mature me. Friendly, kind coworkers. Flexible and caring supervisors.

What I wish was different

Nothing, really, though waking up at 4AM every day was difficult for me.

Advice

Enjoy it as much as you can! Embrace music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc.! Also, cherish the time as an opportunity to think. It can be beneficial to you.

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