I have been working as an undergraduate research assistant with Dr. Corinne Datchi in the Couple and Family Studies (CFR) Laboratory for about a year. Having learned to do literature research and to collect data for literature review, I both improve my research skills and make more successful assignments by applying these skills to the assignments of the classes I take. Also, working in the research lab allowed me to strengthen my communication skills within the group. In addition, having research experience helps me prepare for the research-intensive graduate programs I will be applying to next month.
What I wish was different
Everyone who works in the CFR Lab has a dense schedule. The only thing I would have wished to be different about the laboratory would be to schedule more meetings and go on a long way in research.
Advice
I believe that every individual with a passion for research and who wishes to pursue a research-intensive graduate program should have undergraduate research experience and broaden their horizons.
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Cybersecurity Research Assisstant
September 2021 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
I love the ability to choose and work on research that I am interested in.
What I wish was different
I wish that I had more people or experts in some of the topics I chose to do research in to consult with regarding certain subject matter such as android exploitation and machine learning.
Advice
I would say to always ask questions pertinent to the work you are doing, to understand what is being said and clearly and concisely reiterate it back in-terms of results.
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Research
May - August 2020 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
Virtual, learned how to do research remotely and the importance of analyzing literature and thinking of implications/future directions. Working with other members, meeting to share ideas and progress
What I wish was different
More time to explore different future directions based on the research
Advice
Focus, don’t get lost in all the papers. Think of a main idea/question you want to answer and keep it in mind when you’re researching. Ask mentors for help to better understand
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Peer Health Advocate
May 2018 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
I appreciate the people, and how they found me a job to do for them that fit in with my major. I am a Media Production major, and they gave me the opportunity to create videos for the Center we were at in addition to the usual work. I appreciated this opportunity and the experience in my field it gave me.
What I wish was different
This was my first professional job, so all issues I had with it did fall on me. I wish there had been more of a "crash course" of how to transition to a professional job, but I understand that my job did not have to provide this for me or other employees.
Advice
I would recommend always being prompt and on-time. I would also recommend to accept all opportunities as they come, even if they initially seem like a lot.
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Summer camp counselor
June - August 2019 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
That I got to do something new about every week and I got a chance to work with children of a huge age variety.
What I wish was different
Nothing really, it was an amazing experience. I truly loved it!
Advice
Make the best of it and actually interact with the children. It’s a job yes but these children are amazing and interesting. They make it fun
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Staff Accountant Intern
February - August 2019 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
I learned so many practical hands-on accounting skills- Excel and general accounting skills. I also learned some materials that was taught later on in Intermediate Accounting II.
What I wish was different
Less idle time.
Advice
College is what you make of it. If you have a desire to learn- whether it’s career-related or not- you will learn. It doesn’t necessarily matter what school you go to, but more how you apply yourself.
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Digital Marketing Intern
May - August 2019 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
The people I worked with.
What I wish was different
The pay was more.
Advice
Great experience with people who generally want you to succeed.
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Student Research Assistant
May - August 2019 • Wayne, NJ
What I liked
I loved working in a lab, outside of those required of us to take for a grade. Running different experiments and learning how each advanced the objective of your study was super cool. It was a wonderful experience.
What I wish was different
N/A.
Advice
Try to get the most out of this experience, although it is over the summer, you are still learning! it is definitely a resume builder but you want to be able to communicate what you did to prospective employers.
