Calvin University

Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - September 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I got to work with a team but also independently. I learned more in the lab than in a classroom during the school year. I had many resources.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more prior knowledge and experience. I also wish I had a partner.

Advice

Set goals beforehand and reach out to anyone and everyone that you can. Work hard, then play hard. Never think what you're doing is ever unimportant.

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Calvin Ecosystem Preserve and Native Gardens Steward Intern

June - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Good team dynamics and clear communications with supervisor.

What I wish was different

It was an ideal situation for me.

Advice

If you like being exposed to all the wonders of nature, then this job is for you. Fantastic experience for anyone intending to work outside in the future.

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Student Painter

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

The boss, workers, atmosphere, vacation time

What I wish was different

Nothing, honestly.

Advice

The boss and crew are what make this job so great!

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Summer Researcher

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked getting to run reactions to make new compounds.

What I wish was different

I wish the reactions had been more successful.

Advice

It is important to be patient and keep trying when things don't work out.

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Biology Research Intern

January - December 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I fell in love with the field work portion of this research because I was in my element. Being outdoors every morning, learning how to handle bluebirds, and having unexpected visits from various wildlife were just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how this experience stood out to me.

What I wish was different

Advice

This position does take a level of grit. You have to be ready to devote your entire summer to the field work, and flexible in the day to day changes in weather. Competency in the lab can also be helpful when a project's data analysis requires such work.

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Orientation Intern

February - September 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I loved the communal atmosphere of the Calvin's CIL office, as well as the team aspect of the internship. Working so closely on a team taught me more about myself and other's than I have learned from other jobs. The ability to grow my skills, while impact so many students, was irreplaceable.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had been able to spend more time working on some projects. Often, there was little time to finish things, which created a hurried atmosphere!

Advice

Enter into this experience whole-heartedly. Giving this internship everything you have is very rewarding, and you won't regret giving 110%!

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Front Desk Receptionist

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Learn more customer services

What I wish was different

Advice

be friendly and humble

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Summer Research Fellow

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I have been working in this lab for a year, and I studied the infectious mechanisms of bacteria Group B Streptococcus. I enjoyed researching something I was excited about and having the opportunities to be more independent in the lab.

What I wish was different

I wish my project had been expanded upon, but this doesn't always work out to be realistic in only 10 weeks of work.

Advice

Be patient. Research is all about troubleshooting until an experiment actually works, and in that case, the data may not tell you what you expected.

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Laundry Crew

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

My supervisors and coworkers

What I wish was different

More bonding activities

Advice

It's tedious work but try to get to know your coworkers and supervisor. It makes the job enjoyable.

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Recycling

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked working on campus and I liked my boss.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Biology departament assistant

May - August 2018 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I got to work in the sunshine and the schedule was very flexible so that I could spend time doing fun things I'm the afternoon.

What I wish was different

I worked 7 days a week, so I would have liked to have a few days off.

Advice

Be prepared to work 7 days a week. It provides a flexible schedule with less hours each day, but you should be prepared to not have a day off. That said, if you keep looking at the sunshine, it's a really fun job working with a really great group of people.

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Summer Research Fellow

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked the flexibility of the work and being able to look at work done at a graduate level and try and improve it!

What I wish was different

Advice

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EHS Student Assistant

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

The flexibility and the people.

What I wish was different

None!

Advice

Always make friends with the people you work with. They are so fun!

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Building Carpenter Helper

May 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Working environment and experience

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Have fun during teamwork experience

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Swim Lesson Teacher

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

Spending time with the kids was really fun and it was great to see how they progressed over two weeks.

What I wish was different

The schedule was a little strange so you get long breaks which end up making the days pretty long.

Advice

The first week can be hard but you just remember that you’re there to share your knowledge of swimming with the kids and help them to enjoy water.

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Undergraduate Researcher

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I got to do what I wanted and made decisions for myself. I also learned a lot

What I wish was different

More co-workers

Advice

It is a great experience if you can get in undergraduate research

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Research Assistant

May - August 2019 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

I liked that I had hands on experience learning how to be more comfortable in the lab.

What I wish was different

I wish that there had been a little more guidance with how to do specific tasks.

Advice

I would recommend putting in time outside of research to get comfortable with concepts you’re studying.

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Library Assistant

February 2017 • Grand Rapids, MI

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Keep applying to this job, because sometimes applications that don't make it through on the first go-round can get more serious application on re-application.

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