I enjoyed the independent, problem-solving experience that I had. I also enjoyed gaining various technical skills that I may not have learned in my coursework.
What I wish was different
I wish that there were more short-term goals within my research that would have motivated me to be more excited about my work.
Advice
Summer research is a great way to learn technical and nontechnical skills outside of the class. I recommend that everyone give it a shot sometime during their undergraduate career.
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Chemistry Researcher
May 2020 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Flexible hours
What I wish was different
Higher pay and more tangible work tasks
Advice
It is self driven
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Undergraduate Researcher
June - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked working in an environment in which I could learn valuable skills that I am going to use in my classes and in my future career.
What I wish was different
I wish I had taken more advanced classes before the lab work and that I had received training on reading academic papers in my field.
Advice
Work as hard as you can and enjoy your summer in the process.
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Undergraduate Researcher
June 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I was hired through PURM to work for the summer, and have continued my work in the lab. I like the fact that I have been able to explore one field of research over an extended time and develop relationships with professionals in the lab.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assistant
June - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked being able to get experience in the field I hope to go into.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Admissions Assistant
May 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
The people in the office really treat you like family. You become the face of admissions, and are really on the front-lines. You learn great crisis management and problem solving skills. You also learn a lot about the workings of the University and admissions in particular.
What I wish was different
I wish we had more of a role in helping applicants or the admissions officers. Students are extremely valuable resources for applicants so should play a much bigger role.
Advice
Be ready to put aside whatever issues you're having and make each person who comes in your number one priority. In that moment your one concern is making sure they love Penn and want to apply.
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Student Researcher
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I had the freedom to pursue interests within my lab that I did not have prior. I had the autonomy to learn and struggle, but the support to feel like what I wanted to do was possible.
What I wish was different
I would have liked to have a little bit more structure. My PI was the only one that knew all of the projects other than those working on them. When we had issues, there was usually a queue.
Advice
I would go into this position with an open mind and expect to make mistakes or watch your experiments fail. The work you do isn't going to go smoothly all the time.
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Undergraduate Researcher
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
It was great having the opportunity to go see another part of the country. Especially being on the East coast and being so close to so many cool places. It was also really great to have an opportunity to conduct research and to work independently while also gaining many friendships and expanding my network.
What I wish was different
I wish it had been longer.
Advice
Use this as an opportunity to learn about what you're working with, but also have a life outside of work. Take the opportunity to go see the sights and make friends. When you leave work, be done with work.
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Independent Researcher
June 2023 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I appreciated being able to carry out my own independent research project under the supervision of a chosen faculty member.
What I wish was different
The funding disbursement process could be annoying and tedious at times, especially when undertaking research outside of the US.
Advice
I would highly advise those looking to undertake this kind of experience to be very specific and pragmatic as it pertains to goals and deliverables you will be working towards/producing.
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Research Assistant, Department of Anthropology
May - August 2019 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I loved the relationship I was able to build with the professor for whom I worked, as well as learning about the research process writ large, specifically data entry and analysis.
What I wish was different
I wish that there was more structure in my research schedule, as I struggled without having deadlines/timelines for the projects that I worked on.
Advice
Take time to learn new skills and do things that may be uncomfortable. For example, I was given the opportunity to work on data analysis, but I first had to learn the stats program used by my PI. It was difficult to learn on my own without taking a class, but the opportunities that stem from knowing this program are incredible. For example, I get to play a larger role on my PI's team and have the skills necessary to ask and answer questions about my own data.
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Chemistry lab manager
June - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Worked on my own hours.
What I wish was different
The pay was too low.
Advice
I reccomend getting in touch with a professor who needs undergrads in their lab instead of working for the chemistry lab itself.
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Undergraduate Research Assistant
September 2017 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I enjoyed the ability to set my own hours.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Clinical research
June - July 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I really enjoyed the friendly, lighthearted, but engaging work environment.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Clinical Research Assistant
May 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I really like the versatility of the job and how involved I am in multiple studies.
What I wish was different
Advice
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NSOAI Team Coordinator
May 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
It was a great experience. Learned a lot about myself and how to work in a professional workspace.
What I wish was different
Honestly, nothing. The experience was great and memorable.
Advice
Make sure to come in with a great attitude and be sure to ask for help when you need it.
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Research Assistant
May - September 2023 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Strong communication about what you want to explore, how you want to explore it, and what you need to succeed will make the experience the best it can be.
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Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I liked being able to work on an independent project that interested me.
What I wish was different
I wish I had more face- to-face time with my professor.
Advice
I would say to meet with your professor or PI as much as you can.
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Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
Friendly lab environment, great professor and helpful graduate students, freedom to propose new reactions and methods
What I wish was different
I wish the work could have been a little more collaborative
Advice
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Research assistant
May 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Got position through Penn's PURM program, great opportunity for underclassmen
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Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • Philadelphia, PA
What I liked
I enjoyed working with patients.
What I wish was different
I wish there was a more interactive community of researchers.
