Student researcher Review

It was really enjoyable and I learned a lot about what academic research is actually like. It was difficult but I like a challenge so this was a really good internship to have.

I think at first my colleagues did not expect much from me and definitely undervalued me, but as time progressed I showed them that I was more than capable of keeping up and moving forward with the rest of them. By the end of the projet I had become a respected member of the team.

I was given some support by my supervisor, but he also relied on me to sort things out for myself and to get on with the work myself. I liked this kind of independence because I knew if I got really stuck I could ask for help, but also that he trusted in my ability to just get on with it. It was the right balance.

As busy as I chose to be! I had a set amount of work to complete and how long I took to complete that was my own choice. I did end up doing some long shifts so that I could have some easier days. Obviously the more you put in, the more you get out of it. It was definitely hard work.

The project I was given was almost entirely my own. I was not checked up on, it was assumed I would take charge of my own research and learning and do the task in hand. The only parts of my project I didn't organise was the land permissions for my project, as that was sorted before I took the position.

As I am wanting to progress into the field of academic research the skills I gained in this placement were amazingly useful to further my career. I will be using and building on the skills I learned in this project throughout my life.

The meetings were serious and sometimes a little boring, but usually also had an element of fun to all of them. I was working with some really great people so even the dullest of meetings was never that bad. I didn't have an office exactly, I worked at the university library mostly or out doing fieldwork. The library was not exactly funpacked but the work was interesting so I didn't mind. The fieldwork was amazing fun and I felt very relaxed around my coworkers

It was organised but not massively so. I was supposed to organise and take charge myself so it was organised by me, not for me. It was entirely self-driven, but I liked that.

The University itself invested a lot in me when I was a student, and my colleagues supported me completely, but the main person who actually took there time with me and helped me build up my experience and skills was my supervisor. He was brilliant and helped me develop the skills I already had and taught me a few new ones as well. I really respected that.

I think there is a very good chance that they will take me on in the future. I have already been told that I am being considered for a research assistant position, which I am waiting to hear back from.

We were a friendly team and regularly went out for food or to the cinemas together after work. I really enjoyed making some very good close friends who I am still in touch with now.

Fairly inexpensive. Living very close to the city costs more on rent, but in terms of food and social activities Newcastle is one of the cheapest places I have lived in.

Good nightlife, supposed to be one of the best in the country. It's not usually my scene, but there is something for everybody here.

The opportunities were there, but it's entirely your on choice whether you take them.I got involved in a few things but I wanted to focus more on doing well at my work so I didn't take every opportunity.