8. What was the most difficult assignment/task/challenge that you were faced with? How did you deal with it? What did you learn from it?

The most difficult thing that I have done is learning the inside and out of one of the programs of one of our instruments. I was asked to determine how to export the raw data from the program so that we would still be able to access it if the program became corrupted. It was rough because the program crashed if I tried to print from the help screen. After a few days of working on it, I was able to figure it out. I then saved all of the raw data, starting from when we got the program through the current testing. I learned that the job isn't just doing chemistry, but you also have to apply your knowledge to other aspects of your work. You have to try your best to make everyone's life in the lab a little easier.   

9. What are your thoughts about your internship, now that it is over? What did you learn? What would you have done differently?

I really enjoyed my internship. For me, partaking in it made up my mind that this is what I want for a career. Fortunately, Silliker was able to offer me a job at the end, so this is what I get to do every day. One thing that I would do differently is make sure that my training binder was kept up to date. Silliker requires that I have a binder with all of my paperwork in it. When I first came into the intern position, they did not think that they would have a position open for me so I did not keep up with it. Now that I am hired, I have to go back through the system to find all of the paperwork that needs to be printed out. Even if they hadn't offered me a job, I would still have liked to keep it because it would have prepared me for what I will have to do when I got a job.  

10. What advice would you give to future interns? How did your internship benefit you? What tips/suggestions do you have for future Moravian interns?

My advice would be to be bold. To get my internship, I had to cold call places to see if they would take me. In the end, it got me the job. I am already getting paid - even with a month of school left - because I completed all of my hours and they really want me to stay. My other advice would be that you shouldn't be afraid to speak up. If you see something that could be fixed or improved, your boss will appreciate that you are voicing your opinion. It really shows them that you care about the position. This internship was such a great experience, and anyone who has the time to do one should.

1. Tell us about yourself. What is your major and class standing? Where is your internship located and how did you get it?

My name is Anna Whetstone. I am a current Senior Neuroscience major and Spanish minor. I completed a research internship this past summer at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY and had an amazing experience! I found this internship through the AAMC website where they listed internships by the state.

2. How did you feel on the first day? How did it go? Were your expectations met? Can you describe anything that surprised you?

At first I felt so nervous because I would be living in a new place for the entire summer and I don't really consider myself a city girl either. I also had only had brief experience working in a lab and was nervous they would expect me to know everything! I ended up loving my roommate so that helped, and everyone else in the program was so nice. My lab was understanding and taught me a lot to the point that within one or two weeks they trusted me to run experiments by myself. This internship went above and beyond my expectations and it was definitely the best summer I have had since I entered college. I also began to love the city and became a master of public transportation and I think it would be amazing to be able to live in NYC to either attend medical school or work in one of the many amazing research labs there.

3. Tell us about your work environment and supervisors. How many people do you work with? What is great about it and what isn’t?

The lab I worked with in total had 6 people which included the Principle Investigator who ran the lab, a grad student, a post doctoral student, and two MD/PHD program students. Everyone was so friendly and willing to help and answer any questions I had. I liked having the small group environment and getting to know everyone personally. It was also nice on a networking basis to be able to get to know the head of the lab so that I could request a letter of recommendation. Everyone’s schedules were also variable and as long as you got your work done you would come into lab at any time. The part that wasn't the best about the lab experience was needing to participate in weekly lab meetings where articles and current work was discussed. I was put on the spot on many occasions to answer questions way outside of my knowledge, but I guess in the end it was good practice for being in a real lab!

4. Tell us about your life outside of the internship. Are you living in a new location? Have you met new people?

While working in the lab, I was housed on the Albert Einstein College of Medicine campus in apartments rented out for MD and PhD students. Since I was part of a larger summer program, everyone was housed with roommates, and I ending up making great friends with people from all over the country that were there participating in the same program (50 people!). I still keep in contact with some of the people I met, and we plan on having a reunion possibly over winter break. The one part that worried me going into the internship was that I would be living in the Bronx in NY which doesn't have the best reputation. Albert Einstein is located in a nicer area of the Bronx however, and it was a great chance for me to get out of my comfort zone. I fell head over heels in love with New York City and even the Bronx for its unique atmosphere and world famous Italian food. I spent weekends (and even some weeknights) going into Manhattan to explore the city, go to museums, see free concerts, go shopping, and see shows on Broadway!