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Vanderbilt University

Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2022 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Research hours were very flexible and progress based. This is important over summer where I may want to work ahead and take trips.

What I wish was different

I felt like I didn't have much to do often and I was bored when I finished certain tasks.

Advice

Be passionate about your research or you won't have much fun. Research is best for early experience and if your on the track to go to graduate school.
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Information Security Analyst Intern

October 2020 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Using tools to analyze security incidents and provide input on each incident. Learning and utilizing team notes to execute proper procedures. Parsing through data to find what I needed. Being part of big meetings with very technical knowledge and support.

What I wish was different

Nothing! I love my team and my job.

Advice

Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Googling something before you ask is always best practice but do not fear, everyone is there to help.
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Research Intern

June - July 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved my time researching at Vanderbilt! My coworkers were great, and they were willing to help me navigate the intricacies of the lab. I learned a lot about the biology of breast cancer, and I feel much more comfortable in a lab setting now. Although I see myself in more of a clinical setting in the future, I have gained a deeper appreciation for research.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Intern

December 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

This position is very hands on and intensive. There were lots of ways to apply my knowledge.

What I wish was different

I wish it would last longer than it had.

Advice

Prepare with the additional reading provided.
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Student Researcher

June - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Built skills, resume building, added to portfolio of research

What I wish was different

More prework before the summer to be better prepared to jump right into work.

Advice

Ask questions constantly.
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Athletic Training Intern

May - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Staff was great, learned a lot and was given a lot of opportunity to grow as a healthcare provider.

What I wish was different

Early mornings were difficult every day.

Advice

You will get out of the internship what you put into it.
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Research Assistant at the Stress and Early Adversity (SEA) Lab

June - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I enjoyed getting to learn more about child development and neuroscience, along with gaining more experience with research. I was heavily involved in one project and I was able to see the project progress throughout the summer.

What I wish was different

Summer 2019 was the first time that the lab accepted non-Vanderbilt University students, so the lab was slightly disorganized in coordinating lab members and lab tasks. I wish there had been more scheduled bonding activities for lab members so I could get to know the others better.

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask to get more involved with other projects or other tasks if you're interested in them!
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Undergraduate Researcher

May - July 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Vanderbilt offered a competitive and rigorous research environment in which I had the opportunity to interact with researchers at various stages of their career, from undergraduate research assistants to tenured professors and every step in between. Although I was an independent researcher, they incorporated me into their summer research program to have more social and professional enrichment opportunities.

What I wish was different

I had to sign up separately for housing, the summer research program, and my research lab. This made for a lot of paperwork and contacting multiple people before getting to Nashville, although my lab was able to help guide me through the process. I wish there had been one or two clear checklists on what to do so I wasn't worried about anything slipping through the cracks.

Advice

If you go over the summer, reach out to the summer research program about joining them as an independent undergrad researcher. They were a great source of support and resources, especially if you are considering Vanderbilt for graduate or medical school.
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Summer intern

June - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Everything

What I wish was different

Longer experience

Advice

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Physics Research Intern

May 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The diversity, the cooperation and teamwork, and the resources available were remarkable and always present during the experience.

What I wish was different

Advice

Apply!
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NSF Research Fellow

May - August 2019 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved the faculty and graduate students. The support I received was immense.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

The research field and the knowledge it instilled in me

What I wish was different

Different type of MCAT training and more shadowing

Advice

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Research intern

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

Lab work and all that I learned

What I wish was different

More time!

Advice

Read as many academic articles as possible
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REU Research Intern

June - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I enjoyed learning the skills that are required for research.

What I wish was different

I wish I had had more leadership from my mentor.

Advice

There is a lot of learning to be done and you have to do a lot of it yourself. You need to be persistent.
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Research Assistant

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

It's incredibly hard to find housing in a city like Nashville, especially if you're not physically there to search for places to rent. Hence, I would advice others to find local connections in the place of their internship who can go and verify whatever housing option you end up choosing for yourself.
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Student Researcher

May - August 2018 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

It was a great experience. I got to do great research and network with my peers and professors.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

Always been open to learning a new subject area.
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Vanderbilt Pediatric Rehab Volunteer

July 2015 • Nashville, TN

What I liked

I loved getting to work with all the kids. It is such a positive and inspiring environment to work in. These kids have LOTS of setbacks yet they don't acknowledge them as setbacks, but more like challenges.

What I wish was different

I wish that the program was running more than just during a small portion of the summer.

Advice

Always look for new ways to keep the kids involved and interested.
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