Wrapping Up My Summer with HooRWA

As my summer internship with the Hoosic River Watershed Association comes to an end, I’ve taken time to reflect on my experience here. When I started here, I wanted to learn what it is like doing work in the environmental field and how what I have learned in my classes can be applied. Looking back, this was a great experience for that. I have a much deeper understanding of what work in the field is like, and it has given me a news perspective on everything that I have learned at Brandeis. My internship went beyond what I would expect to be doing in a job like this, and I’m very grateful that it did.

This job has helped me to narrow down what I want to do in this field. When I started, I didn’t know where I wanted to go in the environmental field, but I know now how much I enjoy field work and testing, and that is where I would like to go in my future. I know that wherever I may end up, this experience will help me.

This summer has helped me to learn what work I enjoy as well as what work is important. My favorite part has been the field work, but I have also learned the importance of community-building. Working with the local community is important for any organization, but especially for environmental organizations. The priority of groups like ours is to help the people that live in our area, and having public participation and educational programs is essential for that. I’m grateful for HooRWA for giving me a greater understanding of this. Working here has impacted my view of environmental work greatly.

Though my time with HooRWA is arriving at its end, I hope that there will be many more interns after me that get this great opportunity. If I were to give them advice, I would tell them to keep an open mind and step into the parts of the field that they aren’t familiar with. Having this wide a view of the field is essential for anyone going into environmentalism.

It’s harder for me to say what advice I’d give to someone going into the field, as I still have much to learn about that as well. I think I would advise one to take new opportunities and risks, as that’s the only way we can improve both ourselves and the place we’re trying to protect.

There are a lot of things that I’m proud of this summer, but if I had to choose the one I’m most proud of, I think I would choose the map I made of our riverside trail. Not only did it take a lot of work and learning to make, but the maps will be going up by the trail next week!

I want to thank HooRWA for giving me this opportunity. This has been a wonderful summer and I look forward to applying what I’ve learned further in the future.

— Lucas Forman

Final Days at CCNL Reflection

Upon starting my internship at the Clinical and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab at UGA, I hoped to get hands-on experience with the research process and practice with presenting research findings. Now that this experience is coming to a close I have not only gained an understanding of what being a researcher is like, but also many hard and soft skills like interacting with patients, troubleshooting the tools and methods of an experiment, how to code in R, how to set up, run and clean data of an EEG, and the thought process behind creating research questions and designing studies. 

One of the great parts I discovered about research is frequent adaptation and constant learning. Technology is growing rapidly, psychology is a relatively young field so best research practices change, the types of questions asked are constantly adapted to previous findings, and a lot of tasks in data analysis that used to be done primarily by people are transitioning to being done through algorithms. I have known for a long time that I love to learn, but this opportunity has shown me how much I value learning as a way to be engaged in the work I am doing. The goal of research itself, even, is to learn. 

The most valuable things I learned relating to my career path came from my assigned research presentations. Most weeks I was given a few readings from my mentor relating to the background of the tools or disorders we were working with, which I followed up with reading a few semi-related articles of my choice. I then presented my findings to my mentor and her other intern. Getting a lot of freedom to choose these areas of research helped me identify areas of research I am excited about, like Autism, Executive Function and Theory of Mind. This will help me not only in knowing what jobs to apply for but also what I might want to focus on in academics or create my own research on. 

For anyone wanting an internship in psychology research, I would recommend finding somewhere with other researchers with various levels of experience and particularly a mentor who is excited to teach others. Having people around me who are at different places in their education and research journeys allows me to learn both from people who have a lot of expertise and also from people who can closely relate to the novice experience and provide models for how to improve in the short term. My mentor’s excitement and skill at teaching allowed me to feel comfortable admitting what I didn’t know and asking questions. At this lab and many other psychology research opportunities being adaptable is a very important skill. I was able to find success by noticing where I was needed and filling in the gaps. This was particularly important during data collection where we had a limited amount of time and participants to keep comfortable. 

Testing Room set up 1: Plug for EEG connection 2: Monitor currently performing a timing test 3: Participant chair

This internship has been a fantastic experience thanks to my fabulous mentor, Beryl Huang, and the number of things I got to learn. When thinking about what I am most proud of I think about what was most difficult or scary for me. Two things, in particular, come to mind. I am proud of my ability to still enjoy myself when troubleshooting was frustrating or particularly long, and my ability to interact naturally with participants. I know these skills will not always come easily to me, but I am proud to find success when it happens.

— Riley Byers

Reflections on an Unforgettable Internship

As I reach the end of my internship with Women On Top, I can’t help but reflect on the incredible journey of empowerment, growth, and inspiration that this experience has been.

From the very beginning, I had set defined learning goals for myself, aiming to contribute to Women On Top’s mission of expanding its programs and services. My role as a translator allowed me to be a bridge between languages, cultures, and experiences, breaking down barriers and ensuring that the empowering messages of feminism and gender equality reached women from all walks of life. Witnessing the remarkable impact of collective efforts in creating positive change for women has not only fulfilled my original goals but has also inspired me to continuously strive for more.

Throughout my time in the workplace this summer, I have learned a great deal about myself. Witnessing the resilience, strength, and determination of the women we served has taught me the importance of empathy, understanding, and active listening. I have discovered my ability to be an effective advocate and ally, and I now have a deeper appreciation for the nuances and complexities of feminism. This internship has not only empowered others but has also been transformative for me personally, encouraging me to embrace diversity and create a more inclusive and empowering space for all.

To students interested in an internship in women empowerment and education, I would advise them to seize the opportunity without hesitation. My personal experience of working with such a dedicated and passionate team has been an enriching experience. It offers a chance to be part of an organization that truly makes a difference in the lives of women, creating an environment where personal growth and meaningful contributions go hand in hand. In general, I would encourage students to pursue internships that align with their values and aspirations, embracing a cause that they are genuinely passionate about will provide a sense of purpose and drive throughout their journey.

As I look back on this summer, what I am most proud of is the positive impact we have made on the lives of the women we served. Witnessing their stories of triumph over adversity and knowing that I played a small role in amplifying their voices fills me with immense pride. The collective effort of everyone involved has been nothing short of inspiring, and I feel grateful to have been part of such meaningful work.

In conclusion, my internship with Women On Top has been an unforgettable journey of empowerment and growth. It has solidified my dedication to advocating for gender equality and uplifting women’s voices. The experiences and connections made here will continue to shape my perspective and drive me to make a difference wherever I go.

— Mar Manolioudaki

Reflecting on my Time at Lemelson-MIT

As my internship at Lemelson-MIT draws to a close, I find myself contemplating the profound impact it has had on my personal growth and future aspirations. When I began this program, I stated that my goal was to “enhance my knowledge of ethnography and the strategies involved to identify and understand large systemic issues.” While I feel I’ve completed and fulfilled that goal by learning the qualitative strategies that come with ethnographic research, I came out of this internship with so much more than that. As I’ve stated, this internship was completely remote, so I worried about the connections I’d be able to make in a virtual environment. However, collaborating with my peers and engaging in group work became a pivotal learning experience, surpassing previous encounters in different settings. Our last week entailed writing up our research report and getting it prepared for publication. Considering this huge task was to be completed in one week, we needed all hands on deck. My co-fellows and I each took various leadership roles and responsibilities to produce an engaging and thought-provoking report. This experience was difficult, but immensely rewarding to see our hard work come to fruition. As someone who has always dreaded group work and group projects, I now go into them with a different perspective and value the ability to work with my peers to collectively accomplish our goals. 

Furthermore, this internship has proven instrumental in shaping my career interests. While I’m still unsure of the path I’d like to take, I now know how interested in pursuing research I am. I learned the value of delving deep into a concept and topic, and how much information you unknowingly discover. Embracing qualitative research opened my eyes to its intrinsic value and the communicative aspects that make it so compelling.

To prospective students considering an internship at Lemelson-MIT, I offer this advice: be prepared to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and work diligently. However, you will be supported by exceptional mentors, instructors, and fellow interns along the way. Many of us entered this program with limited familiarity with ethnographic research, however, we’ve all come out of this experience with an immense amount of knowledge of ethnography and its diverse applications. This experience provides an invaluable opportunity to engage in firsthand observational research and fully grasp the importance of qualitative studies in the field. 

Reflecting on my time at Lemelson-MIT, I take immense pride in my open-mindedness and adaptability throughout the program. Entering with minimal expectations and knowledge of the content, I fully embraced the fast-paced environment with hard work and determination. Undoubtedly, I cherish this experience above all else, as it has granted me lifelong friendships and connections in just six weeks. 

— Natalie Saltzman

Reflecting on my Experience at New England Aquarium

After spending two months with the New England Aquarium this summer, I am confident that I have achieved my goals for this summer. For my education goal, I was successful in gaining a better insight into ocean conservation and ways in which communities can come together to promote ocean sustainability. For my personal goal, I was successful in improving my public speaking and interpretation skills. Each interaction I have had at the aquarium made me feel more comfortable socializing and guiding the conversation to talk about climate change and community action. For my career goal, I was successful in networking with fellow staff members across the aquarium. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with aquarists, environmental educators, and executives that are passionate about ocean conservation. I had the chance to meet Elizabeth Scott, the vice president of the Development Department. I had the opportunity to learn more about other ways the aquarium promotes ocean conservation and the value of educating the public about it. I believe that conversation helped me realize my passion for environmental education. Not only am I getting the opportunity to improve myself, but I am also making a big difference by conveying the importance of ocean conservation and community-level actions. I believe this has clarified my career interest in environmental education, and I hope to pursue that career after I graduate from Brandeis. One of the things I learned about myself in the workplace is that I find myself to be a collaborator, especially with people who share a similar passion to me. As I said in my first blog post, collaboration is the main skill that is vital for my position. Communication is key as everyone is trying to learn together. 

I am grateful for landing this internship with the New England Aquarium because it is a very competitive internship, especially for the summer. For those who are looking to take on an internship at the New England Aquarium, my best piece of advice would be to prepare your application well in advance. I started my application a couple of months before the deadline and during that time, I had people review my resume, cover letter, and application questions. I also used this time to research the aquarium including their mission and the kind of work they do. Getting to know the organization will prepare you for future interviews and will help you clarify how your interests tie into the internship positions. For those who are interested in working in the environmental education field, the best piece of advice I have been given is to know what you are passionate about and why you are passionate about it. I was successful in my internship because I found my passion in education and I knew why I was passionate about it. I believe that as long as you convey this passion to other people, you will find lots of success in future positions. 

I am very proud of my ability to convey conservation messages and community-level actions to protect our environment. Going into the internship, I was a little nervous to socialize and initiate conversations. Now, I can put my nervousness aside and be confident in socializing and conveying the conservation to people. Not only am I improving my public speaking skills, but I am also guiding people to become advocates for ocean conservation. Seeing people motivated to take action and protect our oceans because of the work I am involved in makes me proud to be an intern for the Conservation Learning department. I hope to continue this in the future whether at the New England Aquarium or another organization after I graduate.

— Declan Tsuyuki

Final Days at Wolfe

Hi everyone! It’s crazy to think that my 10 week internship is finally coming to an end. It feels like yesterday when I moved into my apartment in the city and had my first day of work. Coming into this internship with very little background knowledge, I knew that it would be a challenging experience, but be very rewarding if I pushed myself to learn and build new relationships everyday. In my first blog post, I said that my two main goals were to have a better understanding of the healthcare industry and be able to learn more about the financial side of the healthcare field, and I can happily say that I achieved these goals. Even though I still have a lot to learn, I am proud of how far I have come in such a short amount of time. The biggest thing I learned about healthcare, and research in general, is that you can always go another layer deeper into an analysis – there’s always something else you can dig up to make sure you have accurate/ unique information. Since I can be a perfectionist sometimes, it is frustrating to know that I can’t do everything, but it keeps me motivated to keep creating interesting work.

Working in equity research this summer has made me a lot more aware of the financial world, and how all of the moving pieces in a bank tie together. I think that in the finance world, I am still not 100% sure where I will end up, but I know that equity research is now one of my top picks for a full time job because of its sector expertise and attention to detail that I really enjoy. One thing that I know for sure is that I will be sticking with healthcare, no matter what field I branch off into. I’ve always enjoyed the science / health side of things, so learning more about that space has been really exciting.
The advice I would give anyone aspiring to be an equity research analyst is to be open to learning. Everyday you will be doing something new, and you have to be adaptable and not be stubborn when you have to go back to square one on something you’re not sure how to do. It can be frustrating getting to know something super well and then get pushed to another task, but in the long run it all works out because you will become knowledgeable about the space as a whole. The other piece of advice I can give is that you have to be prepared to work. This job comes with long hours, and it can be very draining if you are not mentally prepared for it. Personally, the time usually goes by pretty fast because there is always something new to do / research. I think overall you get out what you put into it, so if you are willing to learn and be proactive with the people you work with, you will have a successful summer.

If anyone would want to work at Wolfe specifically, I would highly recommend it. They are a boutique bank that specialize specifically in their research department, so there is no better way to get hands-on experience surrounded by some of the top analysts on Wall Street.

I think personally the thing that I am most proud of this summer is stepping out of my comfort zone by living in a completely new city at a job I had no experience with. There was definitely an adjustment period, but I knew that this was an opportunity I couldn’t give up. Both in the office and in New York, I think I have taken advantage of everything this opportunity has given me, and can’t wait to have another similar experience next summer!

— Ethan Wool-Lewis

The End of My Internship With the Child Mind Institute

During my internship at the Child Mind Institute, I achieved all my learning objectives. Initially, I was apprehensive about working in the clinical side of psychology, where I would be supporting children with ADHD and Autism in enhancing their social relationships, academic performance, and self-esteem. I was concerned about my qualifications and whether I could meet the expectations set by my internship. However, I was determined to enhance my knowledge of clinical psychology and mental health counseling. After ten weeks, I was amazed at how much I had learned. By creating behavior plans tailored to each child and monitoring their progress, I witnessed significant growth in their behavior, attention, focus, and confidence. Most importantly, I witnessed their self-confidence transform completely. My learning objectives evolved as I focused more on changing the lives of the children I was working with.

Moreover, my internship helped me identify my career path. I am confident that I want to pursue a career in psychology, where I can help people develop self-confidence and become the best version of themselves. Although I enjoyed working with children this summer, I realized that I may want to work with other age groups as well. I want to focus my career on changing the lives of many individuals and helping them recognize the importance of believing in themselves. Professionally, this may entail pursuing graduate school or higher education to specialize in a particular field of psychology, such as developmental psychology or social psychology.

I have learned more about my role in the workplace and the importance of intent behind my work. I have learned the significance of working together to help a child succeed and the amount of communication necessary to provide individualized attention to each child. I needed to rest and recharge during my downtime, as all my focus and attention had to be on the children I was working with while implementing their tailored behavioral treatment plan. I am grateful that I am constantly willing to take on new tasks. I believe this quality will be beneficial in the future, as it allows me to try new things that I have not previously done in the workplace. Additionally, I have learned how much my enthusiasm and energy matter and are valued in a challenging workplace. My coworkers would approach me frequently to compliment me on the energy I bring and how I approach everything with enthusiasm.

To any students interested in a role as a Counselor at Child Mind or in the psychology field, I highly recommend this experience. Throughout the process, do not doubt yourself and know that you can make a difference in a child’s life. To the children I counseled, who are either 5 or 6 years old, I know they will enter this school year with the behavioral coping skills and tools they need to succeed. Throughout it all, I am most proud of knowing that I put my heart and all of my energy into this internship. I never took it easy, which is what I believe contributes to my love of the field. The psychology industry, specifically a role in developmental psychology, can be overwhelming due to the pressure you may feel on the influence you have on a child’s development. However, my advice, if you are interested in pursuing this role, is to know that you can do it and seek out psychology organizations such as Child Mind to determine if this is the right fit for you. I am aware that my career goals may change over time, but I am confident that this is something I want to dedicate my life to.

— Leah Goldstein

Final Thoughts — A Summer at PennEnvironment

At the start of the summer, I hoped my internship at PennEnvironment would help me achieve several goals — both personal and professional. I wanted the opportunity to gain confidence in my public speaking skills and strengthen my writing abilities. I also looked forward to really getting a sense of what it would look like to work at an environmental nonprofit as I pursued a career in environmental studies. Luckily, my internship allowed me to meet all of my original goals and offered me wonderful insight into the world of work in my field of interest. I received several skills trainings and briefings on different environmental topics that provided useful information that I could apply to the hands-on work I was doing with my team of interns and supervisors. 

I enjoyed my internship at PennEnvironment, and it clarified that I would like to see what else is out there in the field of environmental studies since there is no limit to what I can pursue. The work we do is essential to creating long lasting change through passing good environmental policy, and I’ve decided I want to diverge from the field of policymaking and learn about other opportunities in the workplace as I continue to search for exactly what I want out of my future career. 

The summer at PennEnvironment taught me a lot about myself, too. Not only did I learn that I thrive in collaborative environments, but I also learned that I can pick up new skills efficiently. Taking instruction and being detail-oriented was an extremely important part of the job, especially when handling spreadsheets, calling up representatives, or following guidelines to write letters to local newspapers. I learned many other skills that can be applied to advocacy in any field, especially when it comes to citizen outreach through phone banking and what it takes to be an effective grassroots organization overall.

It’s not easy work, and it’s important to recognize that there will always be setbacks, especially on topics that can be politically divisive. While that may be disheartening, I learned that it’s essential to push through those setbacks and work even harder to achieve the intended goals. 

That’s definitely the number one piece of advice I would give to someone pursuing a career in environmental advocacy. It can become easy to lose sight of the target when there is a lot to feel hopeless about. However, the only way to make real, long-lasting change is to maintain momentum while keeping the hope alive — regardless of challenges thrown at you by opposing sides. 

As my time with PennEnvironment comes to a close, it’s safe to say I’m very proud of the work I did with the organization. Small wins – like testifying at a public hearing or getting elected officials to sign a petition — are all a step towards something bigger, and it feels good to know you were an integral part of the process. 

To anyone considering interning with PennEnvironment: do it! There are opportunities available throughout the school year and over the summer and there is no limit to the positive change you can help make — even in the smallest of ways. One piece of advice I have is to be ready to step outside of your comfort zone and really use this time to learn essential skills you can use in environmental advocacy and beyond.

— Rida Ali

A Fulfilling Experience at MGH

Hello! My name is Vaishnavi Bulusu and I cannot believe my time at MGH has come to an end. I have had an amazing experience this summer in the Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine at MGH.

This summer, I have met and exceeded my learning goals. Prior to this internship, the most clinical experience I have had was shadowing a physician at a local vascular clinic in my town. I am grateful to say that I have gained invaluable skills and additional clinical experience at MGH. Not only have I been able to shadow physicians in the intensive care unit, I have also been able to watch morning rounds, screen patients and interact with them for clinical studies, and even present the clinical case of a critically ill patient at a lab meeting. Aside from the clinical aspects of my internship, I have also formed strong and professional relationships with everyone in my lab, especially with my mentor. She has taught me so much about the field of medicine and clinical research, and I am thankful to continue receiving advice and guidance from her. 

This internship has helped to reaffirm my goals of attending medical school and becoming a physician. It has broadened my perspectives on the different specialties of medicine, and has given me different options to consider in medical school. For example, I originally believed that anesthesiologists only worked in the operating room, delivering anesthetics to patients undergoing surgery. While this is the case for some anesthesiologists, it certainly is not for all. There are multiple subspecialties of anesthesia, including critical care, cardiac anesthesia, and many more. I have been exposed to the different roles and responsibilities of anesthesiologists, which has allowed me to understand this field on a deeper level. I had never considered becoming an anesthesiologist, but after learning about respiratory care and its importance in the intensive care unit, I am more open to exploring this field in my post-grad life and beyond.

Here are some main takeaways and advice for students who may be interested in working as a clinical research assistant or at a hospital like MGH:

1. Do not be afraid to go out of your comfort zone! As someone who is typically more introverted and shy, I found that my most meaningful and enriching experiences were when I initiated conversations with other members of my lab and asked questions. As a summer intern, people will understand that you are there to learn and expand your mind. When I asked questions and shadowed procedures I did not think I would enjoy, I learned information that I found extremely useful and interesting.
2. Understand the importance of cultural competency and empathy when working with or reading about patients. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and have different stories. Learning how to interact with patients in a kind and respectful manner goes a long way in medicine. As a future healthcare provider, my goal is to reduce any social, economic, and ethnic disparities as much as possible to ensure patients feel comfortable and heard. 
3. Be kind to yourself! Working in a high stress or acute setting can be physically and emotionally taxing, and it is important to take care of yourself. I initially struggled with imposter syndrome and feeling like I did not deserve to work at such a prestigious teaching hospital. However, with time, I realized that I had worked just as hard as everyone else in the lab to make an impact in the field of clinical research. Additionally, everyone in the lab was incredibly welcoming, which helped curb my feelings of imposter syndrome. Prioritize taking time for yourself and know that you deserve these opportunities!

Overall, I am most proud of actively contributing to the lab’s work on nitric oxide delivery in critically ill patients. I have learned proper manuscript skills, gained clinical experience, and met the most dedicated and passionate physicians and researchers. In terms of new things I have learned about myself, I found that at the end of the day, I enjoy interacting with people and also learning about anatomy and physiology. That is why medicine is beautiful-it is the true intersection of both. Thank you to Hiatt and MGH for fostering my academic and professional growth this summer! 

— Vaish

End of Internship BIDMC

This summer I was able to meet my defined learning goals. My learning goals developed as I went through the summer, but mostly stayed consistent with what I had set out to achieve. I now have a better understanding of how clinical trials are conducted in terms of IRB approval, patient outreach, scheduling, and the inner workings of research teams. I have a better understanding of patient screening and enrollment of patients based on trial eligibility. I have been able to apply my neuroscience background in my learning of skin conditions such as eczema with concepts such as pain and itch. I have been able to look at a wide variety of diseases and have assessed their impact on study populations. I’ve improved my analytical skills with repeated application of biostatistics and am able to better comprehend studies presented to me. In speaking with many dermatologists, I have been able to see what happens in the field and what it takes to be involved in clinical dermatology.

Working in clinical trials as a research assistant definitely has fueled my interest in medicine. Being exposed to the field and speaking with medical students and physicians has been beneficial in understanding the inner workings of the field. Upon graduation, I plan to apply to medical school and I am currently looking into potential career paths in dermatology and neuroscience. I am extremely interested in how the two relate and the importance of the integration of fields.

This summer I have discovered an improvement in my problem-solving abilities and a heightened sense of independence compared to the beginning of the summer. Notably, I have found that I work well within a team dynamic, which has also helped improve my communication and coordination skills. Furthermore, I have expanded my vocabulary with use of medical terminology, allowing me to have a better understanding of clinical trials.

If I were to give advice to someone interested in an internship at BIDMC, I would say to set a plan for yourself and your work as well as get into a consistent routine. Not only does this help the team with knowing your availability, but it helps yourself stay organized and not get burnt out. I would also say to not be afraid to ask clarification questions. Everyone is willing to help out since you are all a part of the same team and share a common goal. In terms of wanting to work in the field of clinical trials, I would say to be detail oriented, since a lot of research is in the detail and it can mess with the results if you aren’t specific in your calculations or measures. I would also say be prepared to do research across conditions, not just the main condition of the study. You will learn medical terms as you go along.

I am most proud of my engagement in this study and my integral role within the research team. I was able to learn how to be more independent and problem solve. I have also improved my communication skills. I will be writing a paper on what I have done, which is such a cool opportunity. I am so grateful that I was able to work with other physicians to help perpetuate the study forward and to help get the data we needed.

— Ladi J. Roach