Calvin University

Research Assistant

May - August 2022 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

i liked being able to talk with the professor beforehand and learn what the job was about

What I wish was different

Advice

speak with the professors if you can! get to know them

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Swimming Instructor

June - August 2023 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked how it was fun but educational at the same time. Learning to swim is a lifesaving skill, and being able to learn it young while enjoying what you're doing is amazing. I had many parents come up to me and thank me for doing such a great job. They had tried learning at other places, but the way we taught was better and more enjoyable for the kids and parents.

What I wish was different

I wish we had more employees. There were some weeks when I had to handle 8 kids at once, and others when I had 2. In the busy weeks when a lot of people sign up, having more instructors helps to lower the student/teacher ratio, which makes learning more personal and efficient.

Advice

No matter what job you're doing, if you find a way to make it enjoyable, it won't feel like work. I surrounded myself with great people at my job and it would fly by every day. Granted, I enjoy being in a pool and its an environment I was very comfortable in, but I still made every day as fun as I could make it.

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Research Assistant

May - August 2021 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked the day-to-day experiments performed in the lab.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Technician

February 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I enjoyed getting to use things I learned in the classroom out in the field and learning how to run a research project.

What I wish was different

I wish the hours had not been so long, some of the work was really strenuous.

Advice

I would suggest always checking in with your professors and network when looking for jobs. I was referred to this job through other mentors in my life and would not have found it otherwise.

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Facilities Painter

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Flexible schedule and good community

What I wish was different

It was early

Advice

Do it. It helps you meet new people and learn an important skill

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Fredrick Meijer Research Assistant

July - August 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

The opportunity to research in a "real-world" setting and not just the classroom. I got to learn diligence and patience while looking for findings. I enjoyed the amount of concentration the work took, it was engaging.

What I wish was different

I wish it had been in-person and that I had worked as a research assistant for longer.

Advice

It may feel like you are reaching numerous dead-ends, but these are not the case. Your work and hours put into looking are yielding results, and results that can impact history.

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Landscaping Worker

June 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Work environment was positive.

What I wish was different

higher pay and more responsibilities given.

Advice

Work in your field any chance you get, even if it pays less.

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Facilities Maintenance Worker

June - August 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

flexibility

What I wish was different

more organization and cooperation

Advice

have good work ethic in all situations

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Student Researcher

May - August 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Worked closely with a faculty member to design and execute a research project

What I wish was different

I wish I had had more funding hours available to do more

Advice

If you think research is right for you, absolutely do summer research at Calvin. Even if you're not sure you should do it.

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Student Research

June - August 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I loved getting to do research and learn new skills. I also got to make a poster to present in the poster fair.

What I wish was different

Due to COVID it was moved online. It would have been nice to gain experience by actually being in the lab.

Advice

Take time to talk to professors about their research and their summer research jobs.

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Horticultural Assistant

June - September 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Once I felt confident that I knew what was expected of me, I was allowed to work independently for the majority of my shift. This freedom (and the level of trust demonstrated by my supervisors) was instrumental in allowing me to work efficiently and stress-free.

What I wish was different

One of the only things I wish I would've done differently is be more on top of my list of tasks so that I always had something to do.

Advice

One piece of advice I would share is to take notes. Write down the details of the instructions you were just given! I promise you will not remember them in a couple days after getting instructions for new projects every day.

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Research Assistant

May - July 2020 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

The opportunity to build on my skills, namely computer coding.

What I wish was different

Being able to work in person and take real data in the lab

Advice

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Student Caterer

May 2018 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I really enjoyed getting to learn the behind-the-scenes that goes into catering for various events.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Paint Crew

May 2017 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

The people I've worked with and the flexible hours made the job fun and helpful for my other summer commitments. Plus it gave me a life skill I am using now to make money during side jobs.

What I wish was different

I could have made more money, but that was the level of the job so that's how it goes. It's not something related to my major either so I kind of wish I can that experience in the summer too.

Advice

Figuring out your summer plans early helps you guarentee a job & spot on the crew's at Calvin

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Administrative Assistant

June - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Flexible schedule, great leadership

What I wish was different

Advice

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Data Analysis Intern

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked learning about the behind the scenes operations of how the university runs form a facilities standpoint. It was also a plus to be able connect with my coworkers.

What I wish was different

I am the first person in my position. I wish the had been a previous person in my role so I could have looked at what they did as a guidance on how to my role.

Advice

Don't be afraid to try things outside your major. I'm not majoring in Data Analysis, but the internship broadened my skill set, and now that I'm in it, I have a little bit more options in terms of what I could potentially get into as a career.

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Ecology Research Assistant

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

This position offered the opportunity to assist in longitudinal research studies as well as working with a restoration team on watershed projects. The experiences of both independent thinking and teamwork were a great combination that allowed for a balance of field work and data analysis.

What I wish was different

I think it would been interesting and informative to incorporate some lab work into this research position as well.

Advice

The biology professors at Calvin are super great to work with; with a focus on undergraduate learning as well as the research interest, they can provide a depth of knowledge while also allow for a lot of independence.

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mechanical

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

The simplicity of the system

What I wish was different

Not much

Advice

Apply to as many different jobs as possible - Get your name out there

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Administrative Intern: Service-Learning Center

June - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I loved the chill and relaxed work environment, and I learned a lot about data entry and organization. The work was very independent, and I learned how to take initiative in planning and finishing projects during the summer.

What I wish was different

At times there was not much to do, and it was difficult because I had to wait on other things/people sometimes in order to start my work.

Advice

Be flexible and willing to suggest new ideas!

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McGregor Research Fellow

June - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Wonderful mentorship opportunity. Learned a lot. Relatively flexible hours.

What I wish was different

I wished I had a paper or something I could point to at the end of the summer for future employers or grad school apps to show them exactly what I worked on. (I did a lot of small things but didn't produce one large work.)