First Reflection

Well the second week of my internship is well under way and I am having a comfortable adjustment to the work environment. It turns out that there are four other interns at the Sackler Institute, one of whom is also in CUSP. The others hail from Cornell, the University of Puerto Rico and Brown. All are nice, and we seem to be getting along well in this first week. I have been personally assigned two direct supervisors, both of whom are great people and clearly know a lot about their field. It's great to be under their guidance, especially because of their enthusiasm and genuine interest.

The details of my role at the Sackler Institute were a little obscure at first and continued to be so through my first couple of days. I was aware that I would be working closely with eye-tracking software and tools that together shed light on the brain's struggle to make a decision based on sounds, but wasn't sure as to how, why or with whom I would be completing the specified tasks. Moreover, there seemed to be a lot of 'down time' initially, because when I wasn't physically running experiments (or practicing, as is all I have done so far!) or ATTEMPTING to analyze the data there wasn't much I could do besides read relevant articles, which I finished into the third or fourth day. In the past two days, however, things have really come together. I am much more aware of my responsibilities in the lab, and have been able to work on areas needing improvement.

To this date my biggest concern lies in my ability to carry out a procedural step in the analysis of the data I will be collecting. The step requires fundamental knowledge of computer programming, and to be honest I don't even know if this is the correct term! Let this be a clear illustration of my previous experience in the field! Regardless, I am told (and do believe) that once I have this down the analysis will run much more smoothly and quickly, but it is really difficult! I am having trouble understanding the nature of the command programs, let alone the different codes. In time, however, I feel that I can figure it out. At least I will hope so!

My only other concern to date has been my lack of exposure to New York City area children--though it is clear that this is merely due to the timing of the summer. My work thus far has solely been to figure out how to operate the various computers and programs, and so my contact with community members has been relatively nonexistent. I recognize, though, that I should be grateful, because if I was interacting with children while simultaneously learning my responsibilities I would have quite a difficult time managing! Next Monday will be our first child to come in for testing, and I look forward to meeting and spending time with him. I am excited to get to know all of the people coming through the doors, and learn a little about their backgrounds.

In short, I am only just getting a feel for my position in the lab and the work it entails. It has been an exciting and interesting week, and I am confident I will get along well with my coworkers and supervisors. All have the best intentions, and the dynamic is already strikingly sound. I look forward to the upcoming two weeks, during which I will better develop my skills in the lab, begin to work with community members and have the opportunity to tie the many aspects of the Sackler Institute and the Cornell Urban Scholars Program together.