Maryland Sea Grant

NSF REU Fellow

June - August 2021 • Solomons, MD

What I liked

It was a great opportunity to work with professional researchers at Graduate institutions.

What I wish was different

The experience was virtual due to Covid precautions. I wish it was in person as it normally is.

Advice

This REU did an excellent job preparing me for graduate education. So, if you want to go to grad school, I'd recommend applying to REUs.

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Research Experience for Undergraduates Fellow

May - August 2019 • Solomons, MD

What I liked

An amazing research experience in the beautiful greens of Southern Maryland, met amazing people and made amazing friends.

What I wish was different

I wish the location I lived in had a gym, and that my research was publishable. This did not stop the experience from being amazing though.

Advice

Be aware that you may be living in a location that is far from a normal town, and more like a small village of dorms and facilities. Otherwise be prepared to do actual work which can have incredible impact to your mentors research!

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REU Fellow

May - August 2019 • Cambridge, MD

What I liked

I liked the research experience I gained, as well as the knowledge of physical oceanography that I knew nothing about prior to this internship. I liked being a part of a program that had bonding trips, like canoeing and kayaking, as well as informational sessions on graduate school and career paths in the science field.

What I wish was different

I wish I could have done more fieldwork; however, because I was one of the only REUs without a science background, I was only hired for my data analytics major, meaning that I was in front of a computer for the majority of my time there.

Advice

I think it was a great experience because it was the first time living by myself so far away from Massachusetts, I met really great people in my lab as well as fellow REUs in the program. These people are great for networking if you are interested in a science career.

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Research Intern

May - August 2019 • Cambridge, MD

What I liked

I really enjoyed the group of people that I interned with because they were all very understanding and gave me very good advice. Because our campus was right on the Chesapeake Bay, the surrounding area on campus was very pretty and I enjoyed taking strolls and having campfires with the other interns.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been various activities to do as a group while I was in Cambridge. Because I didn't have a car, it was harder to do things outside of campus. The town was so small that there was only one person who would occasionally do Uber. Because of this, outside transportation was nonexistent. I believe that the organization tried to get the public bus system to reach the campus, other than that, I had no other problems.

Advice

I want others to know that it is okay to make mistakes. Sometimes, things don't work out like you think they will, but that does not mean it's the end of the world. Instead, use your failures as a ladder for you to reach success. There will be times when you don't know what to do and that is valid. In these times of hardship, reach out to mentors, friends and family because they will be there for you to help guide you.

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Biology Research Intern

May - August 2019 • Cambridge, MD

What I liked

I liked the freedom. I came up with my own research project, wrote my own proposal, conducted my own research, and analyzed my own data. My mentor was extremely supportive. My research was significant and is funded by Sea Grant for me to present at a major conference. Sea Grant held countless workshops to improve our skills and make us successful in the field. I also loved the location, it provided housing on the water, with kayaks, like a vacation! Minus all the work.

What I wish was different

It lasted the whole summer, however, that was not long enough to conduct research that is publish worthy. Transportation was a major issue. It is a 20 minute drive to the nearest grocery store. I was the only one with a car and was held responsible for driving everyone 300+ miles a week to various work shops held in Solomon's Island.

Advice

The internship is an amazing opportunity and is insanely competitive! Apply EVERY year, don't give up.

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Undergraduate Researcher

May - August 2018 • Cambridge, MD

What I liked

This was a great experience to learn more about what at career in research is like.

What I wish was different

Advice

I had absolutely no regrets. I loved this experience.

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REU

May - August 2018 • Solomons, MD

What I liked

The research experience provided me the opportunity to perform important environmental and geological research on the Chesapeake Bay. The faculty and other REU students were a joy to work with and were very helpful in the support and implementation of my research project.

What I wish was different

I thought the experience was all around a great opportunity, I would not change anything.

Advice

Definitely prepare for the research program if you are fortunate enough to get accepted. For example, I was working on estuarine science due to the Chesapeake Bay being a large estuary. Try and familiarize yourself with the basics of estuary science and some processes prior to going in, and you can contact your mentor prior to the program asking them if they want you to read any papers.

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