Columbia University

Operations

May - August 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Teamwork between coworkers. Trust from supervisors and other members of the department. Strong sense of community -- really felt support and care from others on a regular basis.

What I wish was different

Lack of training to other teams from upper management, causing responsibilities from other teams to fall on you. Was a reoccurring issue.

Advice

Unexpectedly very physically intensive. Need to mentally and physically condition yourself, and manage your stamina well.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

May 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

i liked being exposed to research and learning how to research.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Assistant

June - August 2023 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I liked how I could set my own schedule.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more opportunities for collaboration. Most of the work I did on my own.

Advice

Stay on top of everything, and have good time management skills.

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UI / UX Designer

July 2022 • New York City, NY

What I liked

The freedom to lead my own project.

What I wish was different

More structured organization to my job description

Advice

Reach our to faculty and find a place where your skills can fit in. As a student they are always looking for extra hands.

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Biology Research Intern

June - August 2021 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Flexibility with schedule and location; Friendly and supportive mentor; Interesting work

What I wish was different

My work discipline

Advice

Work in research requires more initiatives from interns

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Research Intern

May - August 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Worked on a research project at the VERITAS group at Nevis Laboratories at Columbia University. I enjoyed the flexibility it offered.

What I wish was different

I wish we had more time getting training.

Advice

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Research Assistant

June - August 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I really enjoyed that I was able to work as a research assistant for the same researcher for two summers. This past summer, I was more familiar with the research and I was given more responsibility since I was able to create an ongoing relationship with my research mentor. I really enjoyed the one-on-one experience of working with a researcher and getting to observe and participate in very interesting neuropsychological research.

What I wish was different

I honestly really enjoyed my experience the way it was!

Advice

Asking questions can be intimidating and you may not want to seem like you may not know certain things but I learned that the only way to be fully engaged and know what is going on is to continuously ask questions. I learned that my research mentor really appreciated when I would ask him questions, he said it made him feel like I was invested in this work and I wanted to learn.

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Imaging Intern

June - August 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I got the chance to work with the best team I could ever ask for. I enjoyed interacting with and imaging patients. I liked imaging for multiple doctors all with different specialties, I got to image all parts of the eyes this way. My images were used as tools to assist with diagnostic decisions. I also enjoyed living in Manhattan.

What I wish was different

I would have liked a more clear onboarding process.

Advice

You have the skills to complete the tasks assigned to you, the team you will be working with wants you to succeed, don't be afraid to jump in.

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Biostatistics and Epidemiology Summer Training Program Participant

May - July 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Great network of people, fulfilling tasks, learned a new skill set

What I wish was different

nothing it was great

Advice

Take advantage of all the opportunities you'll be offered there

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Media and Marketing Intern

June - August 2019 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I loved the experience of living in New York City. Housing and food was provided for, which was very nice. I also loved gaining experience for what I want to do in the future.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more freedom with this internship. We had a curfew, which made exploring the city hard.

Advice

Do not be afraid to try new things, you might end up loving it. Be bold. I was very nervous about moving to NYC, but I ended up loving it so much and I cannot wait to go back.

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Legal Research Fellow

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I had a great time learning from those in my office and solidifying my plans for law school.

What I wish was different

Advice

Make sure you have found an area you really enjoy researching and that you have the capacity to set personal deadlines and goals.

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Marketing Intern

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

This was an easy position that gave great experience for marketing positions. The staff was very welcoming and friendly. They were eager to teach me.

What I wish was different

I wish I was able to work more hours. There wasn’t much work for me to do.

Advice

Be open to any job they give you.

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Summer Intern and Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I liked that I was able to explore my interest in public health as well as explore New York. Plus, I was able to meet a lot of professionals in the field as well as students that had similar interest.

What I wish was different

Nothing!

Advice

There was a lot of things to do all the time, so one has to be very organized and able to handle the responsibility of a job, research, and class work.

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Psychologist Research Assistant

June 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

During this internship, I was given the opportunity to be involved in several studies over ten weeks. During this time, I mastered multiple roles in running a pilot study, from applying physiological sensors to operating audio-visual equipment. I was introduced to MindWare and Acqknowledge, where I learned how to score heart rate variability, blood pressure, and impedence cardiography data. I also assisted with participant recruitment, scheduling participants, transcribing speeches, and entering various data. Although the internship technically ended in August, I was invited back to work on one study in particular in the fall.

What I wish was different

I only wish I had lived a little closer, but I knew what I was signing up for!

Advice

This was the first taste I had of research as a career path, and I really feel it gave me a more realistic expectation of a day in the life of a researcher, teaching me how to be collaborative while competitive, and highlighted the importance of consistent, dedicated work from all members of the research team.

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Student Research Assistant

May - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

The people I worked with and the REU program were both very good.

What I wish was different

The organization could have better. We were given information rather late before the internship started.

Advice

Form a bond with your advisors and team members.

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Political Science Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I liked the flexibility of hours and ability to use the office for research

What I wish was different

The flexibility made it harder to have set goals and checkpoints for myself and the project.

Advice

Make checkpoints and goals for yourself and stick to them in research.

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SHPEP Scholar

June - July 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I really enjoyed that I was able to work alongside and meet many amazing pre-health students with socio-economically disadvantaged or minority backgrounds who were excelling on their journey to their future career endeavors.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more volunteering opportunities, not just shadowing in the hospital.

Advice

I think this is a really great program, and I highly recommend it.

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Intern

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I loved working directly with MBA professors to teach high school students entrepreneurship. I felt like I learned more about business than the high schoolers did, so I got paid to learn. I also enjoyed living in the heart of New York City for a whole summer.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Apply to things that are outside your major's normal scope of job applications. You might find an opportunity of a lifetime.

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Residential Advisor

June - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

There was free housing and meals during the week, and, for the most part, there was support for interns when we needed it.

What I wish was different

I was working two internships this summer, and I didn't realize how draining that would be. That being said, this was just one individual's experience.