Princeton University

Research Intern

June - July 2023 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

Housing and meals provided. Interesting project.

What I wish was different

I wish it had been longer.

Advice

I would recommend trying it to see if research is for you but be aware that it is a very self-directed experience.

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Applications Programmer

June - August 2019 • Nové Hrady, South Bohemia Region

What I liked

I was able to gain programming experience through developing GUI applications with Python. I was also able to travel, visiting Budapest, Vienna, and Prague during my time in Europe.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had been able to do research that is applicable to my major. I also wish I would have had more time to travel, as Europe is vastly beautiful.

Advice

Studying abroad can be intimidating during the acclimation period. Learning about the culture you are entering into in advance, as well as some of the language, can definitely help to mitigate some of that tension.

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PEI Intern

June - August 2019 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

This is a great way to get involved in research as an undergraduate and to explore a new field.

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Operations Intern

June 2020 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

What I wish was different

I wish I would have been able to do more different projects over the summer. I worked on the same types of tasks every day for the entire two-three months, but luckily I was given many more unique projects during my extension.

Advice

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Article Express Assistant

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

The job was enjoyable because of the setting, very peaceful, and the coworkers were around my age making the job better.

What I wish was different

The job was rather specific so if there were more tasks to be completed or a variety so it did not get repetitive.

Advice

the job is one that I would only suggest if you want to make good summer money, but definitely not a long term job or something to make full time if you're a college undergrad.

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Painter Assistant/Taper

June - August 2019 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

What I wish was different

The start time of our shift-- to early in the morning. In addition, certain places where I worked [Lawrence Apt.] don't have a key for mentoring get in (I always waited for a coworker to come open the doors for me), nor a microwave if I brought lunch. These issues need to be fixed.

Advice

Be prepared to wake up before dawn & always be tired. As a student worker [taper] you won't do much but usually be bored, so bring a book or earplugs to binge-watch TV on your phones.

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Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

I liked that I worked closely with a graduate student in a field of research that I was really interested in. I became more familiar with the literature in this area and I also collected data from participants. I also practiced my presentation skills at the end of the internship.

What I wish was different

I wish that I had been more proactive to work on a different project during the middle of the summer when people were out of town.

Advice

Your experience will vary depending on how self-motivated you are. I would recommend picking an area of research that you are interested in, whether just a general interest or in preparation for independent work. Overall, the internship was a great opportunity to work closely with mentors in a specific field of research.

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Summer Researcher

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

Learning experience

What I wish was different

Maybe a bit more structure

Advice

Do it.

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Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

I enjoyed working with the other members of the chemistry lab.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

Exposure to people/resources that had been previously out of reach, acquisition of new skills

What I wish was different

I wish the experince could have lasted longer

Advice

Don't be afraid to aim high and try new experiences

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Paint Shop (Taper, Painter, Cleaner, etc.)

June 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

I loved painting the Lawrence apartments, Princeton houses, and taping and un-taping the walls/areas where paint couldn't get onto them. Also, I loved the pay rate.

What I wish was different

The hours- wish I didn't have to wake up so early and begin an early shift (6 am). Some of the expectations (like cleaning the sink, or having to do something unnecessary that I believe wasn't supposed to be my job).

Advice

Push through and strive: if you take up a job where you're challenged to work harder, then do it. Otherwise, you wouldn't have taken it up!

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Undergraduate Researcher

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

I really enjoyed the lab group and project I was assigned to. The research project was in a different sub field of chemistry that I had little experience in, but after my summer experience I found out that this is the area I would like to receive my PhD. in. The members of the research lab made my experience so much better. They were always willing to answer any questions I had regarding techniques in lab or about graduate school.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Graduate Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Geneva, Switzerland

What I liked

Working at CERN was a great experience!

What I wish was different

Advice

If you are applying to/attending graduate school, don't be shy about asking whether you can travel for your research or what additional opportunities are available!

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Thesis Researcher

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

It was very personal. I formed close relations with people in my Thesis lab.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more events to meet the other undergraduates that were in the program.

Advice

Make sure to find a research project your are passionate about.

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Researcher

June 2017 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

Getting started on my thesis

What I wish was different

The research was very slow with a lot of failures

Advice

Be ready for failures in biology research

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Summer intern at Professor Avalos's laboratory

June - August 2017 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

I got to learn different skills in a biology laboratory, which is something I do not think I would have had otherwise. I had the opportunity to interact with multiple people.

What I wish was different

I wish I had a bit more sway in the project I was doing. It felt that I was doing someone else's project and I was merely following instructions.

Advice

I would advise a future intern to frequently meet with Professor Avalos to update their progress to ensure that they are on top of things. In addition I would advise meeting with the Professor before the deadline so that they would have more control of what kind of work they would do.

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Research Intern

June - August 2017 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

Freedom to work on a project that interests me, and design my own investigation

What I wish was different

Not being the only one working on the project

Advice

Make sure you write down everything you do, to make sure you do not try to resolve problems you've already run into.

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Library Circulation Clerk

May 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

There were plenty of summer hours available, and there were usually lots of books to sort and process.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

I loved having the opportunity to work with a great group of leaders at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Leach Summer Scholar

June - August 2018 • Princeton, NJ

What I liked

It was a great program that allowed me to do research and gain experience navigating academia.

What I wish was different

I only wish the stipend was a little bigger.

Advice

Trust in the lab placements! I was worried about where I ended up, but it turned out I liked it much better than where I had thought would be a good fit.

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