Internship

Successes during the internship:

• When I joined the research project, my primary responsibility was to organize and classify the data in a way that would make it easier to analyze. I created detailed tables that separated key variables, ensuring clarity and accessibility. This allowed for a structured approach to the data, making it visually appealing and easy to interpret. Once the data was organized, my supervisor asked me to compare two distinct data sets. I carefully analyzed both, looking for patterns, differences, and correlations between the sets.Through this comparative analysis, I uncovered several important findings, including notable differences in how certain factors influenced the results and unexpected correlations between variables. I compiled these insights into a detailed report that highlighted the key findings and provided a clear comparison between the two data sets. My work not only helped clarify the data but also contributed valuable insights to the ongoing research, reinforcing the importance of data organization in drawing meaningful conclusions.

• Another key success during this project was taking responsibility for collecting and organizing the graphs that were crucial for our research on stroke patterns. My task was to gather all the recorded graphs, ensuring each was accurately labeled to match the corresponding stroke type. This required me to navigate through complex data files, a process I was initially unfamiliar with. However, I proactively sought guidance from my team to understand the file structure and ensure I was extracting the right information. I was meticulous in matching each graph with its correct label to maintain data integrity. Once I had compiled all the graphs into a well-organized document, I submitted it to my supervisor for large-scale printing, ensuring that it was ready for the next phase of our project, where these graphs would help us analyze and identify stroke patterns.

• The most recent success during this year is when I was assigned a second literature review, this time focusing on pain assessment. This task was crucial for finding relevant information to enhance our research. Unlike the first time I conducted a literature review, where I faced challenges in navigating and selecting the most relevant sources, I had become much more efficient and skilled in this process. Over time I gained a better understanding of how to idenitfy key articles and evaluate them for their relevance to our research topic. For this literature review, I navigated through a substantial number of academic articles carefully analyzing and extracting the most pertinent information related to pain assessment. I was able to systematically organize the findings into a table, categorizing the information based on themes and key concepts which allowed for a clearer summary of each article, making it easier for the team to grasp the essential points and integrate them into our ongoing research.

Form these experiences, I gained skills that will help me manage complex tasks and make data-driven decisions, particularly in roles involving research where I can apply my knowledge of identifying relevant sources that will help me to get accurate and relaible information In the classroom, these skills will enable me to approach assignments with better organization, attention to detail, and clearer presentations, leading to improved performance in papers, presentations, and group projects.

Challenges during the internship:

• At the beginning of my internship, I struggled to understand the complex graphs that were central to our research. These graphs were used to identify patterns in the various treatment methods, and the team frequently discussed them, but I had little understanding of the context or how to interpret them. Feeling lost, I decided to approach my supervisor for clarification. After they explained the criteria and the purpose behind the graphs, I was able to grasp their significance and contribute meaningfully to the discussions. This was a major turning point for me, as it boosted my confidence and understanding of a key aspect of the research. 

• Another significant moment of an overcame challenge came when I was assigned my first literature review. Though I was provided with a resource table to guide my search for relevant articles, I still felt uncertain about the process and what was expected of me. To ensure I was on the right track, I reached out to my supervisor for further guidance. They took the time to explain the purpose of a literature review, the key components to include, and how it would contribute to the overall research project. With this newfound clarity, I was able to complete the review thoroughly and present my findings in a clear and organized manner.  

• The most recent challenge that I overcomed was improving my writing skills. I was tasked with transferring complex data from a poster, which included tables with information such as standard deviations and ranges, into a narrative format. I needed to convey the same information in paragraphs, which requiered a different approach and attention to detail. The difficulty arose when I needed to describe the standard deviation and range values. Initially I unsure how to properly present these statistical values in written form, as I had not yet developed the knowledge of how to express them clearly in a text. To overcome this, I conducted some research and ensure they were presented in a understandable way. While I was ble to correctly include the standard deviations and ranges in the document, the challenge came in how I structured the sentences. Specifically, I began to introduce these values in parentheses without properly explaining what the parentheses meant. The team pointed this out to me, and the expalined the importance of introducing and clarifying the meaning of parenthesis and any symbols presented. I made the necessary revisions to ensure the readers would understand the statistical terms.

Through overcoming these challenges, I learned the importance of seeking clarification and asking for guidance when faced with uncertainty. I also learned the importance of  providing context and clarity in written communication which will help me in future jobs by ensuring I stay on track and align with expectations. In the classroom, these experiences will help me to improve my attention to detail and ability to learn and adapt quickly, especially when faced with unfamiliar challenges.