Hello everyone:)
It truly shocked me when I realized these ten weeks in the WAGSF program are coming to an end soon. This past summer has had its fair share of exciting and challenging moments, but I can honestly say that I have learned an incredible amount from this experience. One of the biggest lessons I learned from my time as a research assistant is the importance of asking questions and continuously being curious. It can definitely be nerve-wrecking at times to constantly ask questions, but I found that my mentor appreciated this and was more than willing to offer his knowledge. Research can also be incredibly daunting and overwhelming, so the ability to work with an expert in the field was truly a valuable opportunity for learning and growing as an undergraduate student. One of the biggest challenges for me this summer was managing my time and finding a reasonable balance between my research and my other extracurricular pursuits. Working 35-40 hours a week was a new experience for me, and finding time for the other academic and social activities I was involved in was initially very difficult. To tackle this challenge, I found that creating very specific to-do lists, establishing solid routines, and prioritizing 7-8 hours of sleep every day was very helpful. As far as advice for future WAGFP fellows, I would recommend approaching this experience with an open mind. There are so many great research projects out there, and I would recommend applying to anything that interests you—even if it doesn’t align exactly with your career goals. Your undergraduate years are the perfect opportunity to explore your interests, and this program is a great way to do that. I would also emphasize the importance of communication with your mentor. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your research experience, they are the perfect person to approach.
I ultimately feel very grateful for this summer experience. I truly loved this research project, and I hope to continue working in this lab over the school year as well.