I would advise students that they can look for internships outside of their major if it applies to what they want to do!
Name: Alexandria Slokan (Cohort 9)
Major: Bioengineering
What Community College did you transfer to the University of Maryland from?
Community College of Baltimore County
Why did you decide to attend the University of Maryland and the A. James Clark School of Engineering?
I chose to attend the University of Maryland and the A. James Clark School of Engineering because of the exceptional academic reputation and the vast research opportunities available. UMD is known for its strong engineering programs, particularly in bioengineering and mechanical engineering, which align with my passion for working with biomechanics and biomaterials.
What company did you work for?
University of Maryland: Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing (BAM) Lab
Give a brief description of your main roles and responsibilities during your internship.
I developed and post-processed precision alignment tools, including 3 lumen x 150μm microtubules using water-washable resin and micro-capillaries. Additionally, I designed and fabricated PDMS molds for micro-tubing applications.
How did you find the internship/co-op? What was the interview process like? What advice do you have for students in their search process?
First, I went to the BIOE faculty directory lab section and selected a professor’s lab that I was interested in. I used the email template from the COTS Program and proceeded to ask whether they had any openings in their lab for the summer. The interview process was the PI asking me questions and running a background check to make sure I would be a good fit for this internship.
How was your engineering education relevant to your internship?
My bioengineering education provided a strong foundation that was directly applicable to my lab internship. The coursework in areas such as biomaterials, fluid mechanics, and microfabrication techniques helped me understand the scientific principles behind the projects I worked on. Problem-solving skills developed through past bioengineering projects were significantly helpful during my internship. For example, I gained important information about material properties and tissue engineering when creating and post-processing microtubules using advanced resins and molds in the lab.
What were your non-technical takeaways from the internship?
I learned to stay adaptable when experiments didn’t go as planned, which improved my problem-solving skills and taught me to approach challenges with a positive attitude and determination. I also had the opportunity to network with my peers in other engineering fields, which gave me insights into different career paths and opened up new opportunities in fields outside of only my major.
How has the internship experience changed or contributed to your academic or career goals?
My internship experience significantly clarified my academic and career goals. By working in a hands-on lab environment, I was able to apply theoretical concepts from my coursework to real-world research, which deepened my understanding of bioengineering principles. It made me more confident in pursuing specialized areas, such as biomechanics and medical device development, which I would like to focus on in my studies going forward.
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