CU Boulder

Undergraduate Research Assistant

March 2019 - August 2020 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

I really enjoyed working in the lab, until COVID began. Even then working in Bioastronautics Lab online was still enjoyable. It was a lot of fun being able to contribute to research from home and still learn about flight display design and lunar dynamics.

What I wish was different

I wish COVID didn't hit, as do many people. This really threw a wrench in the works since the research I was working on was practically halted since we could not conduct human subject testing, which is the main type of research that I had been doing.

Advice

Speak up! If you are interested in something - anything - simply talk to someone who is involved in it to learn more and ask how you can get involved. That is how I was able to get my research position. After class one day I simply went up to my professor and expressed my interest in his research and he sent me down the right path. In weeks I was in the lab learning new things and all as a sophomore. Now I am a senior and I could not imagine how different my education would have been without that opportunity.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Researcher

June 2021 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

My mentor was extremely helpful, and I gained a lot of useful experience learning how to research and problem solve!

What I wish was different

I wish my project had had less setbacks so that I could've come out with a better conclusion.

Advice

I would recommend setting an expectation that there will be setbacks. Research never goes to plan, and that is ok! Just still dive in and try to come out with the highest quality product you can create.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Full-Stack Software Engineer

August 2022 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

I thoroughly enjoyed learning how to project manage because I know it is an extremely useful skill for future projects. I loved facing new challenges when presented with features I have never created before. What was most satisfying is knowing that my code will be used by others.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more organization and forethought about the project from the client. If I knew how to scale out how long a feature on the project would take, I could accurately describe the amount of time it will take to complete the project. However, because of this, I learned how to project manage much better and understand the time it will take for a new feature.

Advice

When responding to a client, we might think we only have two options either 'yes' or 'no'. This is not the case, it is okay to be honest with your client and state that you are not sure about a feature and will get back to them when you research how long and if you're able to make it.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Assistant researcher

May - August 2021 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Meeting new people and working with a new programming language: Python. Also learned a lot about climate modeling and how to be a researcher.

What I wish was different

I wish it would've been in person.

Advice

Be sure to ask any questions to your mentors and assigned professor, they are always helpful and understanding.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Mechanical Engineering Reseach Assistant

May - August 2019 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Computer Aided Drafting experience, working with a team, working on a project from conception to working model

What I wish was different

Advice

Do not take the artistic and engineering freedom for granted. Be as creative and engaged as possible.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Research Assistant

May - August 2021 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

I learned new skills and practiced existing skills that were applicable to an engineering career, such as circuit design, PCBs, CAD, and 3D printing.

What I wish was different

It was somewhat disorganized, and I didn't always have a lot to do. I wish the people I was working with would have been better at assigning me tasks.

Advice

Research can be pretty frustrating sometimes, and things rarely go to plan. You have to be willing to scrap ideas a lot.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

IT Analyst

February 2022 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

Automating work with programming

What I wish was different

I wish I had more opportunities to work with software.

Advice

Treat customers like you would want to be treated.

Be the first to mark this as helpful

Undergraduate Research Assistant

June - August 2023 • Boulder, CO

What I liked

I participated in the Summer Multicultural Access to Research Training (SMART) program and I was able to gain research experience and enjoy the sights of Colorado. The program staff was extremely helpful and supportive and this experience allowed me to further develop my research technique.