How to Effectively Balance the Workload of School and Work
stay on top of the scientific and academic responsibilities in the workplace, meet any required deadlines
Communicate with my supervisor about my schedule and any schedule changes might be necessary
Continually ask for tasks to do if I have free time to demonstrate and practice professional behavior and initiative in the workplace
During my first semester I balanced all of my priorities well by creating a to-do list and sticking to it. I had to balance, participating in clubs, having social time, school work, applying to the MHA program. From this I have learned to establish what needs to done each week and hold myself accountable. I also learned the importance of commuicating my needs to my boss at work and at my internship to help me thrive as well.
Understand the Scientific Research and the Software Used
Reading and analyzing research studies and data, listening to the research process and protocol in our daily meetings
Convert patient data from paper to REDCap and practice reading and interpreting scientific literature
Working with other data management platforms like Amazon MTurk while also learning the procedures and protocols that are part of the research process and the administrative skills that are needed for a team environment
After creating and launching a survey on Amazon MTurk I now know how to create a survey and create a qualification code, convert csv files to Excel, and the research protocol that goes into creating a research project. From participating and listening to the weekly research meetings, as well, I've learned the weekly work that goes into research studies including recruiting volunteers, getting IRB approval, and the time it takes to fully complete these studies.
Use Professional Behavior by Demonstrating Professional Communication and Applying Problem Solving Skills
Ask questions if I am ever unsure of something but also attempt to work through challenges I might have
Attend and participate in weekly meetings to gain research knowledge and communicate about the tasks I need to complete
Learn and speak up about what specific things that I can participate in and am interested in, learn and navigate new data management platforms
I've learned it's okay to ask questions whether it be about the work that I'm doing or gaining more about the experience that other professionals on my internship team have.
My goal was to get into the accelerated program at IUPUI to obtain my master's degree in Health Administration and complete my bachelor's and master's degree in 4-5 years and I did! This will help me enter the workforce quicker with a higher level of education and bring a better skillset to the table. Lots of careers in this field require a master's degree upon applying so completing both of these degrees would allow me to fulfill this qualification right out of college. This internship has given me confidence in pursueing this degree and demonstrated how I love and value interacting with others. Although we met up each week for research meetings over zoom, this internship was primarily remote. Over the summer I hope to do an internship and connect with professionals in my field to hear about their experience. For the rest of my time at IUPUI, I want to continue to network with professionals in Indy and learn more about the careers that are best fit for me. I still have no idea what specific career I want to pursue with my major, although I know through networking and continueing to gain experience I'll find the career that's meant for me.
Initiatives:
apply to summer internships
seek out informational interviews and job shadows
read about different careers in my field
network with professors and professionals in Indy