Name of Student: Caleac Rivero
Job Title: Ocean Plankton Analyst
Company Name: University of Exeter HLS
Description of Organisation:
The Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Exeter brings together leading experts in medicine, biosciences, psychology, and public health. Through cutting-edge research, innovative teaching, and strong partnerships, it tackles global challenges in health and wellbeing while equipping students with the skills to make a lasting impact.
What was your biggest achievement on your internship?
My biggest achievement was completing data collection unsupervised for data that will be used to support published research. Additionally, surpassing the record number of samples analysed in a day was a highlight.
Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?
During my internship I faced a number of challenges including managing my own time, maintaining a clear lab notebook and becoming confident enough to complete tasks without asking for clarification. I overcame these challenges by recognising when I needed to ask for help and delegating tasks with the other intern working on the project.
What were your reasons for undertaking this internship?
- To gain experience and knowledge within a specific occupation or field.
- To improve my job prospects by expanding my CV and what I can draw upon in interviews.
- To earn money
As a result of my internship…
- I have improved my communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- My job prospects have improved by expanding my CV and what I can draw upon in interviews.
- I have learned more about the skills I need and the options available to me in the future.
- I have developed specific skills that could help me in the future.
- My overall confidence has increased.
During the internship…
- I received learning and development opportunities which could be helpful for my career (e.g., online courses, research development or mentoring).
- I was able to complete the tasks assigned to me.
- I received regular feedback from my manager/supervisor.
- I received sufficient training to undertake the role.
- Overall, this internship has been a positive experience.
Would you recommend this internship scheme to other students?
Yes, I would highly recommend this scheme to other students. The research team was very welcoming. It was nice having a mix of being taught new skills but also being trusted to conduct the research independently. I enjoyed working alongside another intern as we were able to bounce ideas off each other.