Research Assistant Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship, which lasted 10 weeks. I was welcomed and introduced very well and I felt part of the team, like a little family. All the members are down to earth, easy to approach and supportive. The work we carry out is novel and really important, which makes me enjoy it even more.

I feel valued by my colleagues, we have group chats outside of work and meet up after work to socialise. We all know each well and support each other with work and non work related issues. I can confide in all of them, and also laugh with them, whilst working together.

I was supported and guided throughout my internship and we also met up with all the other members to have weekly meeting and discuss the projects, problems and equipment that was required. In addition we each made cakes, and had a competition to see who made the best cake over the course of the internship.

Most days I was busy, which ranged from recording data for experiments, making spread sheets, dissections, cleaning equipment, collecting bees, weighing treatment tubes and looking at data collected from the experiments. Some days I am in from 10 till 6pm, but usually its from 10am till 4:30 or 5pm, I rarely finish before 4 pm.

Responsibility varied, initially there was little, but as I learned what to do and the techniques, the responsibility increased. Some days I will be the only one in the lab to collect the data, which is fine as I have carried out the method many times during the internship. I would not like to be left alone with a new task, without demonstration.

The skills I have learned are very useful for further studies, specifically a masters, since I am planning to stop in the same laboratory to carry out my master’s project. This is will make things easier, as I know where things are and I can utilise the same techniques for my own project, or learn even more.

Almost every day the atmosphere was great. We played music and shared it around, so each member could listen to their genre of choice, we talked during lunch breaks and brought in food to eat during the breaks. Everyone was sociable and friendly, and we all got along together in the lab.

The work placement was set up well considering that most experiments were dependent on the amount of bees, solutions and of course weather. If the weather which was bad, which it often was, bees were not able to be collected that day and towards the end, less bees were available.

The company did invest in me, the supervisor offered to be my supervisor for my master's project and helped me throughout. Once the internship finished, I was put onto a different system so I could continue to help in the lab and be paid for my time, as she wanted to keep me on.

I would be happy, since I am, to work with the company further. The staff are friendly and intelligent people who welcome and appreciate my help. The research is important, and novel, it is essential for the research to continue and I would love to be involved further with the work.

There was a great social scene amongst the fellow placement students and staff. We got along really well and spoke to each other in the lab and outside of the lab, as well as going to events and parties together.

living and socialising was not extremely expensive, since I already lived in the area, so I knew how much it would cost. I still managed to meet up with my friends from university after work and not spend a huge amount.

I know a good night life exists, however, I do not drink or socialise in these situations.

I have been told that I could study abroad for a few months with other colleagues to continue the research or to attend conferences in other countries. The conferences would be related to the work we carry out in the lab.