Harvard University

Proctor

June - August 2019 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

The training and resources that Professional Staff provided to new hires was absolutely crucial to the work I did. I have never felt so supported by my supervisors before and I would not have changed a thing.

What I wish was different

I wish I had a different pay schedule so that I could do some deeper exploring into Cambridge and Boston.

Advice

Continue to focus in on your self-care. You must take time for yourself during any summer internship.

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Economist Research Assistant

May - August 2019 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Lots of support from faculty. Excellent networking opportunities. Developed hard and soft skills. Worked with other researchers. Great community.

What I wish was different

No air conditioning in Harvard dorms over the summer.

Advice

Come in excited and ready to learn. It's a great opportunity. Have a positive attitude and make the most of it.

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Project Intern

May - August 2019 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I liked the work (manually annotating electron microscope images of larval zebrafish brain slices, hereby referred to tracing), the flexible hours, and my coworkers, especially my boss (I feel that I got really lucky to have her in charge of me).

What I wish was different

I wish there were more undergraduates in the lab, and I wish that I did a few more things than tracing (I loved the tracing, but it could get a bit tedious).

Advice

It was definitely something that was out of my comfort zone, as this was at a school that I obviously don't go to, so I was worried that I would feel out of place and I didn't know what exactly I was getting myself into. It ended up being an experience that I had a lot of fun with, really grew from and was very valuable for learning about a lot of the cool research going on at Harvard and as a networking experience. It was admittedly hard at times, but the positive feelings enormously outweighed those negative feelings.

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Biology Research Intern

May - August 2019 • Petersham, MA

What I liked

Great people, lovely place to spend summer

What I wish was different

Better mentors

Advice

Go for it. Push yourself and apply

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DaRin Butz Fellow

May - August 2019 • Boston, MA

What I liked

It was a great research experience where I learned a lot about both the scientific process but also careers in ecology.

What I wish was different

Not much honestly. Maybe I wish the day to day was a little more exciting.

Advice

Talk to people who give talks at Oberlin. Thats how I found this job.

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Undergraduate Research Assistant

April - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

There was more teamwork less individual competition amongst all lab assistants. Everyone was working towards a common goal so it was a friendly enviroment.

What I wish was different

Advice

Always be regular with your work, every little task actually counts towards the final results.

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Psychologist Research Assistant

May - July 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Doing research on what I want to work on in the future. I worked on projects about ethnic conflicts, racism and cultural differences of psychological behavior

What I wish was different

Advice

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Athletics Marketing Intern

June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I loved creating new content and marketing strategies to increase student attendance at their athletic games. It was a very hands on experience and I felt like I actually contributed as well as my voice was actually heard. I worked directly with the assistant director of marketing for Harvard Athletics , which was a great experience because sometimes as an intern you don't get to directly work with higher up authorities.I think this allowed for a better connection and experience, both personally and professionally.

What I wish was different

I wish it was full time. I really liked my experience there so the only thing I would change would be that I wish I was there more! I interned two days a week, which was still great and gave me time to do another internship, but if I had the chance to work full time there, I would have done that in a heart beat.

Advice

Reach out to people and explain your story, even if you think you don't think it will work out. I applied as somewhat of a joke, just in terms of I didn't think I would actually get it and had the stigma of "It's Harvard, they wouldn't hire me." But, I reached out anyway explained my experiences and background. A couple of weeks later I got a personalized email back asking to do a phone interview. I did the interview on a Friday afternoon and Sunday night I got an email saying they would love to have me join their team for the summer. I was shocked but if you don't try you'll never know, so just try- you don't know where it'll take you.

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Summer School Proctor

June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I loved the autonomy that the program gave me. I was trusted to plan and execute my Entryway Programs as well as work within a team. It was a great addition to my previous experience in Residential Life at Wellesley and an opportunity that helped me to grow and develop confidence in my abilities.

What I wish was different

Honestly, nothing. I had an incredible summer.

Advice

I would tell people to invest more time in learning the resources that the campus has to offer. Since I was learning a new position and a new university at the same time it was at times difficult to manage both - but in time I saw how many resources and opportunities Harvard provides to its students over the summer.

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Resident Fellow

June - August 2017 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Really great mentorship and fun coworkers, lots of innovation and creative freedom with events

What I wish was different

A bit more organization (it's the programs 3rd year and recently double in size)

Advice

Be organizaed and take advantage of every opportunity

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Research assistant

May - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Campus was nice. Research was interesting.

What I wish was different

More time.

Advice

Explore the city

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Pre-College Program Proctor

June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I loved living at Harvard, making friends with the other proctors, going on field trips with the students, and learning!

What I wish was different

I loved all of it.

Advice

Mather is the best house, don't be fooled. The JCR is my favorite place on Earth. And always go to Brain Break

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Quantitative Finance Intern

September 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

Friendliness and exposure to new material

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Shoot for unexpected decisions and it might do you well

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Summer Student

July - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

It was great getting hands-on lab experience with new science. I got to learn about cluster chemistry, and I gained glovebox experience.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Intern at Harvard Pre-College Program

June - August 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

I liked the independence in programming and mentoring students during this summer. I was exposed to potential career options in higher education student affairs and gained a lot of knowledge in the workings of the summer pre-college program.

What I wish was different

Advice

You are the first level of "authority" and spend a lot of time with the students that are in the pre-college program. You have to be both a rule enforcer and a mentor; someone who is respected but also approachable.

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Research Intern

June - July 2018 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Mentorship under the doctoral student

What I wish was different

More interactions with the Lab Director

Advice

Try to engage with individuals outside of our immediate team or laboratory

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Graduate Research Assistant

July 2017 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Flexible Hours, good benefits

What I wish was different

Well grad school is really long

Advice

Think about if you absolutely need the degree for the job you want before you commit to something like this.

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Athletic Compliance Intern

August 2019 • Cambridge, MA

What I liked

Everything!! The network is amazing and I love my supervisors

What I wish was different

Maybe to get paid more

Advice

Absolutely amazing

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Cognitive Neuroscientist Intern

June - August 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

The city The PI The program

What I wish was different

I wish I was more informed about the field or chose a field I was more knowledgeable of.

Advice

If you want to do it, do it. It is highly competitive but nothing great comes easy!

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Alumni Relations

May - September 2018 • Boston, MA

What I liked

Managing the Alumni Online Help Desk Handling front desk duties Assisting alumni & recent graduates with alumni relations Organizing alumni events Collaborating with reunions office, Harvard Alumni travel, and other departments

What I wish was different

I wish I could have stayed longer, but full time-student comes first!

Advice

Always get to know the people you work with! The woman I shared a work space with ended up having a son who graduated from UMass Amherst a few years back and she connected me with him and other successful alumni.

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