Name: Yao Sun
Pronouns: She/Her
Semester of Internship:Spring 2024, Summer 2024, and Fall 2024
Major:Applied Developmental Psychology
Current Class Level:fourth year graduate student
This semester I completed a(n)...: Internship
Internship, Co-op, or Research Site (Company/Organization Name): ACT Inc.
Location of the Organization (City, State):Iowa City (Remote)
Title of position: Research Intern
Tell us about your internship, co-op, or research opportunity, including your day-to-day responsibilities:
During my internship at ACT, I had the opportunity to work on a range of projects that allowed me to delve deeply into both research and industry practices. My day-to-day responsibilities included examining the validity and reliability of assessments related to social and emotional skills, refining existing items to improve their effectiveness, and analyzing data on SEL and ACT scores, including data specific to students receiving special education services. Additionally, I was involved in analyzing qualitative focus group interviews on equity-based test items, providing me with hands-on experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
What made this experience particularly valuable was the emphasis the team placed on my training and professional development. I was encouraged to engage with a variety of projects, which broadened my skill set and gave me a taste of industry work after having primarily worked in academic environments. This exposure allowed me to produce significant research outputs, some of which I submitted to a conference for presentation. Moreover, the insights I generated contributed to the development of a shortened version of one of the company's assessment tools, demonstrating the impact of my work within the organization.
Describe the process of obtaining your position. When did you hear of the position and submit your application?:
I began my search for an internship position by exploring numerous opportunities on LinkedIn and applying to many that caught my interest. I applied for this particular position on March 26th and received an invitation for a digital video interview just a few days later. During this digital interview, I recorded myself responding to a series of questions. Subsequently, I was invited to an interview with the team on April 29th. Later that same day, I received an offer. I enjoyed the conversations with the team and found the opportunity compelling, so I decided to accept the offer.
What resources did you use to find your current experience?:
LinkedIn
What have you enjoyed the most about your position and organization?:
I really enjoy working at ACT because the team prioritizes my training, allowing me to develop my skills across a range of projects, from assessing the reliability of social and emotional skills assessments to analyzing data and focus group interviews. Coming from an academic background, this experience has also given me valuable insight into industry roles, broadening my understanding of applied research in a professional setting.
How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?:
I believe I’ve made an impact by generating research outputs that contributed to the development of a shortened assessment tool, providing data-driven insights to refine our approach. I also submitted my findings to a conference, sharing our work with a wider audience and further strengthening our research outcomes.
What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?:
When seeking an internship or similar experience, it's essential to find a position that aligns with your current skills and experiences, while also ensuring the organization’s mission resonates with your values. Additionally, consider the company culture before accepting the position, as a supportive and positive environment is crucial for your personal and professional growth. This alignment will not only make your experience more fulfilling but also increase your motivation and commitment, leading to greater success and development during your internship.
Please provide a short reflection or quote about what you liked most about your position / earning internship credit / working with the Career Center:
What I appreciated most about my position at ACT was the chance to engage in diverse projects that sharpened my research skills, all within a supportive environment that prioritized my professional growth. The Career Center's resources, particularly those for resume building, were instrumental in helping me secure a role that aligned with my values and career goals.
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