Embedded Files
My internship is at the IU Pathology Lab with Dr. George Sandusky. This lab provides researchers with critical data that allows them to have a greater understanding of the disease they are working with. One of the main diseases that we work with is cancer. To provide this data, the lab scans in slides containing tissue samples that will then be analyzed through imaging software. This information is organized into a spreadsheet providing relevant results. Through this analysis, the lab is looking for any abnormalities, such as cancerous tumors, giving them a positivity score based on the number of tumor cells compared to normal tissue cells. The analysis techniques are conducted through Aperio, QuPath, and HALO programs.
Her2 Breast Cancer Poster.ppt
Learning and Skills
Learning and Skills
From class to the workplace:
Being a current School of Science dual major, I have been able to learn about scientific practices and have begun to develop my skills as a budding scientist. By participating in both chemistry and biology laboratory classes I have gained basic laboratory skills and have become confident in conducting procedures that are unfamiliar to me. Through this internship, I will be able to gain valuable research and laboratory experience as well as build on my current laboratory skills through real-world practice.
Working at the pathology lab will also allow me to further understand how to identify and interpret data from the images being analyzed. The data, images, and techniques will be different from what I have seen in class, so I am excited to understand how I can adapt my current skills to a new experience.
Fall evaluation:
I have been able to effectively utilize my communication and leadership skills while working in the pathology lab. By expressing my current understanding of a topic as it relates to the topics being discussed at my internship, I can gauge my mastery of a topic and work to fill in any ideas I'm unfamiliar with. I am able to express leadership and teamwork by working on projects in a tag-team style. Heading a team effort allows me to incorporate these skills in conjunction with each other. While I have been comfortable expressing some skills, I would like to work on integrating and applying my current knowledge to new situations. Participating in review sessions, going through training modules and assignments, and continually practicing without immediate help will encourage the growth of these skills.
Reflection on my growth:
Since beginning at the pathology lab, I have been able to gain confidence in my knowledge of laboratory procedures, techniques, and histology information. This semester, I have learned how a professional pathology lab functions and how each person plays a role in maintaining a good workflow. By demonstrating what I have learned through introductory tasks, as well as, managing my own project, I have displayed a willingness to learn as much as I can through this internship. To me, this shows that I have begun my career journey in the right place because I am excited to talk about the work I am doing and how it relates to the real world.
Not only have I gained technical knowledge, but I have also gained a wealth of professional experience too. By observing my coworkers and supervisor, I have learned how to communicate with the different types of clients the lab works with and how their needs may differ. I have been able to understand the role of managerial tasks, and hope to incorporate this into my own tasks as I continue working at the lab.
Favorite experiences:
Some of my favorite experiences so far have been mainly based on seeing my personal growth. I am excited to start my own project in the lab, where I will be analyzing, understanding, and discussing my findings on a new scoring system for HER2 breast cancer. So far I have been able to analyze my cases completely on my own and understand why this new system will be beneficial to breast cancer patients. I have also really enjoyed getting to know my coworkers and supervisor. They have become friends and are able to help me understand what I would like to pursue in the future.
The Workplace
The Workplace
My ideal workplace:
My favorite type of environment to be in is one that is positive and constructive. Whether this is for an internship, job, class, or volunteering, I find that it is the best way to maintain motivation and successful work. The pathology lab not only embodies this environment, but it compels you to be inquisitive and independent too. The internship team is very open, willing, and supportive, all attributes I would like to carry with me throughout all of my professional endeavors. While I strive to express these within the workplace already, one area I would like to work on is communicating using professional terms and understanding. This would allow me to feel more comfortable in the lab and would allow me to further understand other projects, not only my own.
Working with people from different communities, cultures, and backgrounds:
By working with people who embody different communities and cultures, I have gained a greater understanding of my own self-awareness and how I can learn from the experiences of the people I work with. I have greatly benefited from engaging in a workplace I have never experienced before and would like to continue to push myself out of my comfort zone.
How has my experience been different from what I expected?
While I was given a slight overview of what the pathology lab does when interviewing there, I still wasn't completely sure what to expect, as I have not worked at a professional site such as this before. I have been pleasantly surprised by my experience thus far. Not only was I able to begin working on projects soon after starting, but I was also provided with all the information I needed to effectively manage any new tasks I was unfamiliar with. My supervisor has been able to communicate learning materials in an easy-to-understand manner and since my internship requires a lot of histology background, being able to learn and retain this in a quick and seamless process has been encouraging. Being a busy college student, I knew flexibility would be key when trying to find an internship. Luckily, my supervisor has provided a welcoming space and he encourages me to put my academics first. By allowing for schedule flexibility and study time, I have appreciated the willingness he shows in creating a great work environment for everyone.
Successes and Challenges
Successes and Challenges
From my time at this internship, I have found the most success in successfully integrating into a professional work environment. While I had desirable skills going into the internship, I wasn't sure how they would translate into this new experience and I didn't know how I could start learning professional skills. As an intern, I have been able to accomplish these tasks by simply allowing myself to be open to new ideas and tasks. I have also found success by learning it's okay to ask questions and to learn from failure.
Going into this fall semester I was taking on twice as many responsibilities as I previously had and I knew I was going to need to learn how to manage all of them. From becoming more involved in clubs to taking harder classes, and participating in an internship, I needed to improve upon my mindset toward school to help me find success during the semester. While I faltered in the beginning, my supervisor and coworkers remained encouraging and helped me whenever they could. By allowing me time to study, giving me helpful tips, and simply asking what I had going on during the week, I was able to better manage my responsibilities as the semester continued. Now, going into the spring, I feel much better prepared and I have a better knowledge of my limits.
Page updated
Report abuse