Name: Olivia Hutchinson
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site: Maryland Psychiatric Research Center
Position Title: Undergraduate Research Assistant
Major or Program: Psychology
Current Class Level: Sophomore
Work Term: Spring 2022
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities.
My internship is with the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, I am working on two research studies that focus on patients with schizophrenia. The tasks I am doing change from day to day; some days I am helping with data collection during trials and setting up the computer to collect data from the MRI and sometimes I am entering information into the database and excel sheets. There is something new I learn how to do everyday like screening patients on the phone or mailing biological samples to labs to be processed. Everyday is exciting, wondering what new skill I will be learning.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?
I heard about the position through an email sent out by the Psychology department in the middle of last December. I submitted my application as soon as I read the email by emailing back my resume. I wrote my resume last year and have been adding on to it since, but when I first wrote it I went to a Resume Rescue session to get it reviewed and I was helped with phrasing and consistency throughout my resume.
What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization?
Everyone at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center has been very welcoming and helpful but especially the research assistant I work with on a day to day basis. I have learned so much about data entry, collecting data using an MRI machine as well as the practical process of recording data and how the data we are recording is important to the study.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?
The work I am doing helps to add to the body of knowledge about schizophrenia. Every discovery starts with data collection.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?
Apply for anything and everything you're interested in. Don't be intimidated by the amount of work you may have to put in. When you love what you're doing it doesn't feel like work.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center.
By working with the Career Center I get to receive college credits (that I do not have to pay for) while doing something that I would have done for free, something I thoroughly enjoy and care deeply about.
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