I gained experience with conducting psychological studies relating to linguistic and cognitive development within children.
What I wish was different
I wish there was less busy work and more opportunities to interact with children/people in general.
Advice
Be genuinely interested in the projects you're working on to get the best experience!
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Research assistant
June 2023 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
Professor was nice and the work was interesting
What I wish was different
I wish the in person work was easier for me to get to, but that's probably unique to me since I lived about 45 minutes out (hour and a half with traffic)
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
April 2022 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
I was able to gain experience in field and lab research and decide whether or not it was something I would like to do with my career and further education.
What I wish was different
I wish there was more shade, it was hot!
Advice
Wear sunscreen when you do field research!
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Undergraduate Summer Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
I loved the freedom and change of pace working in a new space provided. As an enrolled student and UC Berkeley, I enjoyed all the same opportunities as the normal student body population and more. Our summer research internship, funded by the National Science Foundation helped to facilitate a behind the scenes look into the research ongoing at the university, and the program participates were given inside information on how to apply and be successful in graduate school. Also, as someone who was born and raised in Los Angeles California, I loved being able to explore the ever new rich cultural environment of the Bay Area.
What I wish was different
I wish I had better-prepared myself
Advice
I would tell other students interested in similar experiences to do plenty of research on the specific subject you are expected to work on and spend extra time learning lab techniques because the people you are working with are dedicated to helping you as long as they see you putting in conscious effort to be successful but also, make sure to remember that is is your summer break and every once in awhile you deserve to have fun.
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Intern
June - August 2018 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
The people working at Cal Athletics are awesome and the whole department works together as one big team.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assistant
June - August 2018 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
What I wish was different
I wish I were able to participate in solving more challenging problems.
Advice
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Biology Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
I was able to make connections with professors at UC Berkeley that I would be interested in doing research with as a graduate student.
What I wish was different
Advice
Do not hesitate to make connections and network yourself while you are doing research at another university.
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Student Researcher
June 2018 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
Working under the best in the field on a project that matters
What I wish was different
I wish I could know about the opportunity earlier
Advice
Talk to professors and see if there are any openings for research positions, but before that read their research papers to know their interests and expertise!
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Molecular and Cell Biology Researcher
June 2018 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
Fantastic experience and highly recommended for other MCB majors.
Even if it doesn't pan out into a research opportunity, Portnoy always commits to speaking with or responding to any student who emails him about biology research. That's a huge confidence booster for someone trying to get into lab research. Also, it's a great opportunity to work in a BSL 2 lab with options of bacteria (Listeria) research, mouse work, and tissue culture work -- all involving Listeria.
Grad students and vibe of the lab are fantastic, and there are lots of other undergraduate researchers, so it's a great first experience.
What I wish was different
The only change I'd make would be spending more time on lab over the summer. This past summer I took organic chemistry in addition to working in lab.
Next year I'm hoping to spend more time in a lab and actually apply to URAP or SURF so I can create a report of some kind on my research project..
Advice
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
February 2018 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
Mentor ship and research experience
What I wish was different
Advice
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Electrical Engineering Research Intern
June - August 2018 • Berkeley, CA
What I liked
I liked the fact that I worked under a highly accomplished professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering department. In addition, I constantly interacted with graduate students and learned from them in the labs. I also gained hands-on experience in performing experiments and data analysis. Staying at Berkeley (which is in the Bay Area) was also a plus as I had the opportunity to travel to different places and meet interesting people.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been paid (haha).
Advice
Definitely try to find and seize any opportunity for the summer, whether it is research, internship, or a job. The important part is you will learn something and you will know if this is something you want to do in the future. It's an exploratory process.
