I learned so much about my field and about medicine. I loved getting to be on the cutting edge of medical research with mentors that wanted me to have the best experience possible.
What I wish was different
I wish I had done more research beforehand. I wish there was a class that I could take that would prepare me for the basics of laboratory research.
Advice
In terms of advise, I would make sure that you are committed and motivated. If you are emotionally and mentally invested, then you will make connections and gain knowledge that is invaluable.
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Biology Intern
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
Able to work with leading experts in the field on new research; provided me with ideas for my summer project, learned about the potential impact of my own research.
What I wish was different
Maybe a little more involvement with other departments (although this might be different for different labs, since everything I needed was in one lab).
Advice
Really make sure you understand everything about the process, and don't be afraid to ask questions.
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Reasearcher
June - August 2019 • New Brunswick, NJ
What I liked
I liked how I was able to conduct my own research with the guidance of an advisor. I was able to lead a few trips to our sampling sites so it was a nice mix of field work and lab work.
What I wish was different
I wish we were given more time to conduct the research since 10 weeks is not nearly long enough to dive deep in the work.
Advice
Make sure you are prepared to work since it is basically a full time job for the duration of your term.
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NIH Postbacc Fellow
July 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
The hands on experience and guidance provided to post-baccs.
What I wish was different
more preparation during school to do this intense research
Advice
Be open and realize that you won't know everything about research off the bat. You'll continue to learn something new everyday.
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Administrative intern
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
What I wish was different
I wish I had been conducting research, instead I was supporting intramural researchers through working at the Office of Intramural Research
Advice
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Pathways Intern
May 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I enjoyed learning about the extramural research that NIH helps to fund and I had the chance to work with a variety of scientists and administrators on upcoming public health projects that will be implemented on a wide scale in the next decade.
What I wish was different
Sometimes office work could be menial and repetitive
Advice
Working for the federal government is an amazing experience for any public health student because their work is so vital to the success of our field
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Summer Undergraduate Research Fellow
May - July 2019 • Kingston, RI
What I liked
The opportunity to have an independent research project studying Biomedical science at the University of Rhode island. Hands on experience and was able to gain lab skills required for my future. We discussed the importance of scientific ethics, scientific communication, and laboratory safety.
What I wish was different
Nothing. I really enjoyed this entire experience
Advice
There is a poster conference at the end of the program, but no one communicates much about it until the end. Do not wait until the last week to start this poster
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Research assistant
May - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
Good experience, learned a lot
What I wish was different
More mentoring
Advice
Push yourself to meet other PIs
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Clinical Research Assistant
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I enjoyed my lab group, they gave me a lot of flexibility in my work which I enjoyed. They were also willing to let me observe surgeries which I learned a lot from. I felt I was able to learn at my own pace and in my own way.
What I wish was different
I wish I was able to do some basic science research in addition to clinical research.
Advice
Don’t be afraid to reach out to other professionals that work under the same employer. Often times people are more than willing to share their experiences with you.
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Web Intern
May - July 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I liked the work environment from my supervisor, to my co-workers, to the work I was doing, to the learning opportunities they provided me with.
What I wish was different
I wish the commute to the internship wasn't so long. I had to take the metro (1.5 hr one way) to travel to the Medical Center metro stop where the National Institutes of Health Bethesda campus was located.
Advice
Internships are what you make it to be; the more you put in, the more you get out of it.
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Research assistant
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
The environment and plentiful resources they had for summer interns.
What I wish was different
More interaction with other summer interns.
Advice
Apply!
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Research Intern
June - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Apply early!
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Chemistry Research Intern
May - August 2019 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I felt like I was doing important, compelling work
What I wish was different
I wish I had more opportunity to meet other interns
Advice
Don’t be afraid to apply for things out of your comfort zone... everyone has to learn on the job these days
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Biomedical Engineering Intern
June - August 2018 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
great atmosphere and people, got to pick a project I enjoyed, gained a lot of experience
What I wish was different
Advice
More Bioengineers at Penn should apply to it
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IRTA Fellow
September 2018 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I have amazing mentorship in my lab as I work directly with a Staff Scientist and have weekly meetings with the Principle Investogator. As time goes on I will become more independent, but initially all methods and assays run were explained at least once. My lab is also culturally diverse with PhD students and scientists from China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Japan, Canada, and the Unites States.
What I wish was different
I wish I had a bit more autonomy in terms of planning experiments. It would have served me better to take time and look up what assays I can run and experiments I can do to answer my research question. Instead I was told what to do for the first few months.
Advice
It is a great experience for young scientists before applying to graduate or medical school.
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Biology Research Intern
June - August 2018 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I loved getting not only to dive into my assigned research project, but also getting to explore the other opportunities available to me at the NIH — like attending lectures and career development events during downtime, learning about immunology from my PI during lab meetings, and shadowing my PI on occasion. There were also plenty of other undergrads on the NIH campus, so I never felt out of place!
What I wish was different
Advice
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Research Assistant
June - August 2018 • Bethesda, MD
What I liked
I liked the ability to access to hands on research--this was something I had yet to explore at UNH. I had the opportunity to help frame my research project and work right alongside a post-doc. I was able to see my lab skills improve throughout the summer as I became more independent.
What I wish was different
I wish I had had the opportunity to meet other interns throughout the summer.
Advice
When applying make sure to email labs that you're interested in.
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Summer Research Intern
June - August 2018 • Frederick, MD
What I liked
I was given a project, and finished it by the end of the summer. I liked how I learned a lot of different techniques, such as microarray analysis and ELISA. The lab had a really great environment, and the NIH itself offers numerous opportunities and career advising for interns.
What I wish was different
Nothing!
Advice
Make sure you map out your summer at the very beginning, so you have a very clear path and can therefore take the steps necessary to achieve it.
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NIH/NIDA Summer Research Intern
May - July 2018 • Baltimore, MD
What I liked
The office atomosphere and the experience I gained analyzing qualitative data and writing research papers.
What I wish was different
I wish I could hae received help with fronting housing costs before program reimburstment.
Advice
Go in with an open mind because you never know what experiences you might gain.
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Psychologist Research Assistant
May - August 2018 • New Orleans, LA
What I liked
My mentor was very supportive and open to me starting my own research projects.
What I wish was different
I wish I could go to another state.
Advice
Make sure whoever is your supervisor, you actually enjoy their company and they are actually willing to help you grow in your professional career.
