INSET Blog at UC Santa Barbara

What next?

Britt Christy — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:36:03 +0000

I’ve been happier this summer than I have been for a long time. I can’t even put into words how much fun I had learning all of these different skills: soldering electronics, machining, engineering software,design, programming…the list goes on and on. Not to mention how much I’ve learned about grad school and how to best succeed and be happy there. I didn’t get to finish what i wanted to do with my project, but Im going to work in the lab for another month before school starts, so i hope to finish Gathering the data that i want. I’m so grateful to have met my mentor Ishai and my advisor Dr. Lubin, as well as everyone else involved in the INSET program, this experience has definitely hanged my life for the better.

One problem for me right now is that I want to change my major from astrophysics to computer engineering. Over the summer I fell in love with both electronics and programming, and found out that I can combine both hardware and software studies with this major. I still love astrophysics an want to do it as a minor, but the process of using physics to design and create real life systems has taken over my interest, and I like the fact that I would actually have jobs available for me after I graduated. The problem with this is that I no longer feel that attending the school I have accepted (UC Santa Cruz) is the right choice. UCSC was great for astrophysics, but UCSB is much better for engineering, so I am actually considering spending one more year in community college; both to save 8000 dollars of debt for taking classes at Santa Cruz for engineering that I could take at a CC, and because I want the chance to apply to UC Santa Barbara. I’ve completely fallen in love with this school, and really cant imagine going anywhere else. It’s scary to think about rejecting admission to a UC when I’ve worked so hard to transfer, but it really wouldn’t be a step backwards when you consider all of the benefits. I’m still undecided though.

Advice to future interns: ask questions, as many as possible; the more you know about your project, the more you will enjoy your work. I never thought I would ever care about building a giant thermos, but I’m having a blast! Also don’t close your eyes to any doors or opportunities, keep your mind and future as open as possible. I wish I could go back on time and take my own advice. In closing, thank you to all the wonderful people who made this possible, I appreciate this experience more than words can say!

-Britt Christy

Outro

Jose — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 01:19:31 +0000

The internship is over and I wrapped up all my work this summer. It has been a challenge and though there is much work to be done I am content with the amount of work that I accomplished this summer. It had definitely changed my perspective of what research consists of. There were times where I felt overwhelmed with the amount of science that is involved in simple experiments like visible spectroscopy; nevertheless, you have to dig deep and persevere. Since I had never been involved in any research or internships I really did not know what I was getting myself into. So this was such a great opportunity for me to see what graduate work is all about. From the different experiences I herd from the other interns I soon found out that everyone experience was quite unique. Some had excellent relationships with their mentors and faculty advisers, such as myself, others not so good. Some were assigned projects where they were on their own and others worked to advance the research of their mentors, such as myself. So there are many different things you can take out of this experience. Personally I could not have had a better experience, it has really been a wonderful summer regardless of the frustrations I encountered along the way. I would absolutely recommend anyone considering applying to INSET, it is a great opportunity to learn and be aware of what graduate life is like.

Looking back and looking forward

dmccapes — Sat, 13 Aug 2011 00:59:01 +0000

My mentor asked me today how I felt about the summer looking back. I told him I felt pretty worthless and the general consensus amongst my lab group was that research does that to you. You just need to love feeling worthless.

My summer wasn’t entirely worthless though. I expected things to progress more quickly, but that’s where patience comes in. Patience is important in research. Patience and a love for feeling worthless sometimes. I did get a considerable amount done this summer though. I ended with a design for a novel apparatus as well as a few successful experiments. I also learned a ton about interfaces and surface tension. It’s incredible how often you notice phenomena that result from things like surface tension once you’re aware of it. I’m glad that I got to spend some time in the machine shop too. I didn’t end the summer with a physical prototype, but I did get familiar with the milling machine and I think that’s more important.

The only advice that I have for future interns is to come with an open mind and be ready for things to take longer than you expect. Experiments are always more difficult than you would think and they can be really tedious. So be patient. Did I say that before? Patience is important.

I plan to do internships every summer until I graduate. This internship definitely gave me a new perspective on grad school and careers. I want my next internship to be in industry. I feel like there’s no way for me to know whether I want to go to grad school or not until I see if I like the working world. Before this summer I was considering grad school as a possibility, but I really didn’t know anything about it. Now I feel like I know a little about it and it’s less of a possibility in my mind. I’ll bet that I would be successful in grad school and what not, but I don’t think it’s necessary and I’m way too impatient to spend 4-7 years doing research. Especially considering how little grad students make.

Now I’ve got one more semester of pre-reqs at SBCC before I can transfer. I’m taking some cool classes though. Circuits should be fun. Electricity and Magnetism too. I’m going to study abroad in the spring so I’m really looking forward to that. After that I’ll be transferring to UCSB for computer engineering. There’s no way I can go to another school after this summer. I like UCSB too much.

Thanks for reading whoever you are.

The Last Post

alexlyte — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:52:49 +0000

We talked today about the rest of our lives
Where we’re gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this summer we won’t be coming back
No more hanging out cause we’re on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don’t have another day
Cause we’re moving on and we can’t slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And this is how it feels

As we go on
We remember
All the times we
Had together
And as our lives change
From whatever
We will still be
Friends Forever

So if we get the big jobs
And we make the big money
When we look back now
Will our jokes still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Daniel be the stockbroker man?
Can Britt find a job that won’t interfere with her tan?
I keep, keep thinking that it’s not goodbye
Keep on thinking it’s a time to fly
And this is how it feels

La, la, la, la:
Yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la:
We will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there?
Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it’s like we’re women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us ’round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, keep thinking that it’s not goodbye
Keep on thinking it’s a time to fly

But INSET cant last all year long

And after tomorrow it’ll all be gone

The time I’ve had has opened my eyes

I look out now and see blue skies!

End of the Line :(

will0389 — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:52:17 +0000

It has been one of the best summers I have ever had and I would definitely recommended others to do it. I also hope to come back again and do another internship. My advice for those coming in next summer, is to enjoy your time here. Enjoy the research you do, but get out, go have fun and live. Don’t let the summer pass you by why your here.

I see myself still in school working towards my bachelors and by ten years I hope to have my doctorate in math or something I really love and be teaching or working in a job I can not wait to get to every day.

The fall I am transferring to UCSD. I will still working on my undergraduate and hopefully double majoring in math and maybe engineering or computer science . Next summer I hope to be doing another research program here at UCSB, UCSD or some other institution.

Hope every one has a great summer and that every one does extremely well where ever they go. So I’ll see you all when I see you.

Last day of INSET…

lizadavies — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:51:56 +0000

Well, I guess this is my last day of INSET. I can’t believe it’s over! WoW!! This feels strange…..I was super busy throughout these eight weeks slaving away in my lab, so now it is hard to realize that I’m through with my internship. I feel super sentimental…..boo-hoo :’( I almost want to burst into tears. I’ll miss my awesome “whelk whisperer” roommate and my super quite ninja roommate…..aaaa!!! I don’t want to think about it!!! I’ll miss ALL of my INSET family! Even though my other awesome roommate and I are staying here for another month just to (hopefully) finish our projects, it’s not going to be the same.
This internship was definitely a wonderful way to spend summer. I’ve learned so much, and I’ve met so many people with great personalities, great sense of humor, just good people in general! I have no idea how does INSET program screen its applicants but they are definitely doing a great job!
So, what are my plans for the upcoming year? I am staying here at UCSB for another month, and I will try to finish my project. Then I am going to UCLA. I will definitely seek an intern position at one of the labs there during the academic year, and since INSET was such a wonderful experience, I am planning to apply for other summer internships.
Oh, and I’m looking forward to our little INSET reunion in November (during the NC conference) YAY!!!

Summer Reflections

Morgan — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 21:18:07 +0000

I didn’t know what to expect at all from this internship when I started. I came in with what seemed like no useful prior knowledge at all about the project I was assigned to work on. The amount of information I had to learn in a very short span of time was definitely overwhelming, but I got through it. I’ve gotten through more than I thought I was capable of this summer. There were definitely frustrations, and lots of mistakes made, but I learned something from each incident. I was not always happy or satisfied with everything, but I am a better person because of all of that. The presentations we all had to prepare actually went better than I had expected. Learning how to put together good power point slides and polishing up my speech skills for a clear, confident talk was the best part of the summer for me. Getting to know UC Santa Barbara was also a definite plus, since I’m transferring here in the fall. There is so much less stress involved in the transition now because I already know a lot about the environment here, and in September it will almost be like coming “home.”

Reflections

laravoelker — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 20:58:01 +0000

Well, the summer has come to a close. I now have one week to do as little as possible before school starts. Sitting in Elings Hall today, laughing and joking about late-night festivities with my fellow interns, I thought back to the first week, where every face was a strange one and I was absolutely terrified by the idea of research. It’s been an entire 8 weeks. And yet, only 8 weeks… At the end of this internship, I am left with a great deal of gratitude. I felt that the program was very well put together. From the workshops to the lecture series, we were exposed to many ideas, research projects, and perspectives on the world. I knew that this program would incorporate all these different aspects of learning, and thus that was not a surprise. What surprised me was the relative intensity of the program. While not quite as bad as school (due to a notable lack of schoolwork), this wasn’t easy. From creating posters to reading scientific papers to giving oral presentations, I was challenged both as a scientist and as a person. But that’s what makes us better, no? I would recommend INSET to anyone willing to challenge themselves and grow. I have a certain amount of gleeful satisfaction in knowing that this isn’t a program that you can float through. Thus finishing it means something. If you are ready to work hard, learn, and challenge yourself as a person as well as an academic, definitely go for it!

Next year I will be completing my last year at the community college level. This fall I will be submitting applications to various universities for transfer. While I’d love to go to UC Berkeley, I’d be happy with any of California’s fine institutions. I will continue my current studies, as I believe I’ve found my purpose in the pursuit of the sciences. It has always been my intention to get a bachelor’s. After doing research this summer I am seriously considering graduate studies. I was turned off by grad school just because I didn’t know what grad school was and if I could do it. But I’ve seen grad students at work. I believe I can get through a graduate student program. More importantly, I’ve seen the passion and fervor that these grad students and professors have for their areas of expertise, and that is what I want with my life: fulfillment.

Next summer I’m interning again. Once you go research, you never go back.

Final week

Aarone Perez — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:07:44 +0000

We’ve finally reached the end of our summer adventure with the INSET program and what a summer it’s been! It’s hard to believe that eight weeks have already passed but here I am writing my final blog entry. I’ve learned so much throughout the whole summer in so many aspects; from life, science, careers, and education, INSET made it all possible. I’ve also made some great friends along the way and had the pleasure of working with one of the coolest mentors possible. I’m really going to miss everyone and of course, beautiful Santa Barbara. For all future interns for this and related programs, I suggest you take full advantage and put in as much effort as possible because it goes by extremely fast.

Now that the program is over, I can relax for the remainder of summer until transferring to CSUCI at the end of the month. This coming school year will present me with my greatest academic challenges to date, but I know I will be well prepared due in part to the skills I’ve learned through INSET. I hope to find another internship opportunity next summer and complete my degree in chemistry the school year following. From there, the sky’s the limit.

Week 7-8 INSET 2011

Juan David Gutierrez-Franco — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:12:47 +0000

When I came here I had no idea of what to expect. It turned out to be a planned out program with many meetings and seminars. I had initially imagined I would just be doing some kind of lab work and that would be all. It has personal development seminars, research seminars, meetings to helps us put together a final presentation and the posters. So in a way, I would say it exceed all my expectations. I have learned a lot this summer, not only about the subject of research but about graduate school, how research is done, what to do in conferences, how to present your work. I even got to know UC Santa Barbara. I would definitely recommend this program to everyone I know. It is a great program and I learned so much during my stay here.

I think the only advice I can give is to work hard to make the best presentation possible and to enjoy the stay here because time will pass very fast. Eight weeks might seem like a lot of time but it is not enough to get a lot done (or what seems to be a lot). That being said, be proud of what you accomplish even if it seems small.

In a year from now I think/hope I will be in an internship in industry so I can see how industry is. Ten years from now I hope of being done with school and having a job. I know definitively that I will go to graduate school. I just have to get a few more internships before I decide for a Masters or a Ph.D. Either way, it will probably be here at UCSB.

For the coming academic year I plan to attend Cal Poly, SLO and keep working hard. Also, I plan to enjoy my stay there just as I enjoyed my stay here at UCSB. For next summer, I plan to get an internship in industry, if not, having an internship for sure.