Florida Southern College

Shark Ecology and Microbiology Research Intern

May - August 2021 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I loved working one on one with my professors and gaining real-life experience that will be applicable to my career.

What I wish was different

There was a long period of waiting around at the beginning of summer when the school hadn't submitted the insurance we needed to go out on the boat. This was frustrating as we didn't have much to do but it was eventually resolved.

Advice

I would say that you need to be flexible and willing to work long hours in the sun doing manual labor. Most of our time was spent repairing nets and fixing gear.

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Tour Guide

May 2019 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I liked being able to interact with different families and showcase the school!

What I wish was different

I loved all of it!

Advice

Being personable goes a long way!

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Biology Laboratory Assistant

August 2019 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I liked how easy it was to use Handshake. The online application process was short and simple

What I wish was different

Advice

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Undergraduate Researcher

May - August 2019 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I liked being able to focus on research while not being enrolled in classes because it allowed me to put more time and effort into my writing. I also enjoyed connecting more with my professors by getting the chance to engage with them more on various projects.

What I wish was different

I wish my professor and I had set weekly goals, so that we stayed more on track. Towards the end of the summer we were slightly more bombarded with trying to complete all of our goals.

Advice

Since this is a very independent experience, I would recommend staying as organized as possible in order to not get overwhelmed and get the most out of this opportunity.

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Software Developer Intern

May - August 2018 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I loved the environment. At Florida Southern, even during the summer, they truly want you to learn and succeed. I happened to be working with a programming language I had never used before and every step of the way those around me would ask if I needed any help or guidance. I left my internship with a solid understanding of that programming language and better communication skills.

What I wish was different

I wish I had more time. I know it sounds silly, but during my internship I enjoyed getting up and going to work every day! I had the opportunity to learn so much in that short amount of time.

Advice

Don't be afraid to ask for help. When I hit a road block or became stumped, it was easy to fall into the 'I can handle this myself' mindset. While trying to solve it yourself first is great, it's important to realize when you've reached a point where you need to reach out and request assistance. Typically those around you would love to help you, you just have to ask.

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Educational Research Assistant

June - August 2018 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I loved being able to learn how to research and learn more about my field.

What I wish was different

I think it would’ve been cool to collaborate with other students.

Advice

Make sure you love long days!

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Research Student

June - July 2018 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I enjoyed being able to continue my research that I had been working on for about a year. It helped me get a head start on my research for my senior year. I also go to know my fellow research students better.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Lifeguard

June 2018 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

Laid back, relaxed atmosphere with an incredibly friendly staff.

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Assistant

May - August 2018 • Lakeland, FL

What I liked

I was able to work independently on research that I felt like was important and valuable to my future career.

What I wish was different

I wish Florida hadn’t been so hot

Advice

Take as many opportunities as you can even if it doesn’t seem like it directly applies to what you want to do. Those experiences are often the ones that are most helpful when trying to learn new skills.

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