Brandeis University

Undergraduate Researcher

June - August 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I learn valuable lab skills and worked closely with a mentor on a research project.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more variety in the work that I was doing. Near the end, the project experiments because really repetitive.

Advice

Definitely, if you are looking to go into research look for a lab that is working on something that you are really interested in. Try to get to know what your project trajectory looks like before you start.

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Office Assistant

February 2017 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

It was very flexible and I was able to learn new skills, like web-editing.

What I wish was different

Honestly, it was perfect!

Advice

Don't be afraid to just work! It doesn't need to necessarily advance your career (i.e a job at a law firm). As long as you are financially stable and learning helpful skills, go for it!

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

June 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

Doing work that interested me, on the cutting edge of science. Meeting other students within the lab was nice too, more friendly faces around campus.

What I wish was different

My workload was minimally communicated about between my mentors, and the incredibly long weeks led me to burn out by the end of the summer.

Advice

Be realistic about the time that you can commit to a job, lab or otherwise. Nothing is worth it if you work yourself into the ground and begin to resent it.

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Student Interviewer

May 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I really liked the office environment, the camaraderie between student staff and professional staff and the actual job itself. Not only does this job rely heavily on writing skills but you improve public speaking skills, gain the ability to train others, and lots of hospitality skills as you are interacting with students and families from all over the world.

What I wish was different

There is not much I would change about my experience. I think one aspect that could be added to further help student employees learn about the field would being able to shadow meetings or be included on staff projects.

Advice

Don't overlook spending a summer on-campus! There is a very different vibe and it can be really rewarding throughout the year as well.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

January 2018 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

-Working in academic research -Being mentored by renowned professor and PhD students in the lab -Getting to know other people on the floor/building -Building skills commonly used in life science research

What I wish was different

I wish I could have the project more planned out and be more independent before the summer, so that I can be more productive

Advice

Start looking for grants early

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Historian Research Assistant

May 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

flexible

What I wish was different

being able to involve more

Advice

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Zoom Assistant

July 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I enjoyed the pay, as well as getting to oversee a conference of a topic I was interested in.

What I wish was different

The organization was a little shoddy, I wish things had been a little clearer.

Advice

It's a great position, take it!

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Economics Research Assistant

July 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

A chance to work in the field of interest.

What I wish was different

Maybe more background or more similar opportunities

Advice

Research Assistant positions at Brandeis are rigorous and demanding - plan your schedule well!

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Undergraduate Researcher

April 2017 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I love being involved in cell biological research, learning how to use relevant techniques, and interacting with lab members at various levels of experience!

What I wish was different

Managing the timing of a summer research project is always tricky, but I think it worked out pretty well this past summer.

Advice

If you're interested in getting involved with biological research, try to be flexible with your schedule and ensure your class times allow for open blocks of 3+ hours at a time a few times a week

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User Experience Intern

June - July 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

It was easy for me to work and attend summer classes

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Assistant for the Aging, Culture, and Cognition Lab

June 2018 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

It was a good way to get my foot in the door of a lab and start learning how it operates. I liked doing this over the summer so that coming into this semester I already had an idea of what to expect from the experience and knew what I was doing.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - August 2018 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

The independence of conducting my own research project.

What I wish was different

The location. I would have loved to be more in the city! Since this was such a small thing, I still wouldn't trade the experience!

Advice

Connect with people. Network. Be open-minded. You never know when an opportunity will fall into your lap.

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Office Assistant

May 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

The atmosphere is very peaceful and the work load is not too laborious.

What I wish was different

Make sure you have outside work, some days did not require too much.

Advice

Have a positive attitude and arrive on time.

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Dr. Haber Genetics Lab Assistant

September - October 2018 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

The genetics lab had an amazing working environment . Everyone is patient and willing to teach you new techniques are you go. The researchers are also very understanding of academic responsibilities.

What I wish was different

Work-study limited me before obtaining a position as a worker instead of volunteering.

Advice

Do not worry about messing up. You will learn from your mistakes.

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Undergraduate Researcher

June 2018 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I loved the people and the experience. I learned so much and it was really fun to work full time on my project.

What I wish was different

I Wish I had lived a little closer to campus.

Advice

Bring your own lunch. But also i would fully recommend something like this. You gain experience you simply cannot gain in normal acedinic settings. Be brave and ask questions

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Cancer Researcher

January 2021 - August 2023 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

Good mentor

What I wish was different

More teaching

Advice

Good starting place

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Organic Chemistry Teaching Assistant

May - August 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I enjoyed working in breakout rooms with a small group of students and working through problems together. Dr. Murray is very well organized and was extremely thoughtful about how the TAs could best help the students.

What I wish was different

Working in a virtual format was tricky at times.

Advice

Review the material each week before the student's learn it to make sure you remember everything!

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Undergraduate Research Fellow

June - August 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

Gained valuable research experience under close mentorship. Developed professional skills in weekly workshops to prepare for apply for and succeeding in graduate school. Culminated with a presentation of summer research at an undergraduate symposium.

What I wish was different

Advice

If you are interested in research careers, go onto the NSF website and apply for their Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) which take place all across the country each summer.

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Fly Kitchen Assistant

May - August 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I liked being able to provide for the science labs around campus and allow them to do their jobs. I also liked being able to listen to music while I worked.

What I wish was different

I wish that there was a more social environment at the job.

Advice

I think that jobs such as the fly kitchen are a great starting job for students who are interested in getting into lab work but do not have the experience yet, especially freshman and sophomores.

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REU fellowship

June - August 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I loved being able to make new connections while doing the research I loved. You are really able to get a "feel" (not the true thing) for being a graduate student doing research. I loved the lab I was in!

What I wish was different

I wish I had tried to reach out more. It is very hard to explore other departments/people when you're in your lab all week.

Advice

Apply to a bunch of programs and don't be afraid of not getting something. I only got one out of 10 that I applied to. Be respectful and willing to do anything!

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