During your time at BIDMC, we want you to feel connected, engaged, and satisfied with your experience. BIDMC is an amazing place to learn and grow, and we’re so happy that you are a part of our organization. We want this to be a place where you believe you can develop professionally and see yourself returning for future experiences, no matter the career path you choose.
We’ve added this section to the BIDMC Research Student Orientation to help you start on the right foot and provide tips for making the most of your time at BIDMC!
Please begin by watching the following video
Tip 1: Ask Questions!
Sometimes, when we start a new position, we want to prove that we are capable, which can sometimes lead to a fear of asking questions.
While it’s fine to explore on your own and, if possible, find answers to your questions through your own research, remember that you are a student and this is a learning experience.
Mentorship and learning is at the core of BIDMC’s values. After all, this is a teaching hospital.
When in doubt, ask questions—whether to your Principal Investigator, post-docs, or peers at your level. Asking questions is vital to your professional growth. Not only is it important, but it’s also expected. Asking questions demonstrates a genuine interest in learning as you solve the complex research problems you’ll encounter.
Furthermore, it is important to ask questions to learn more about your role and expectations, your team, the work culture in your Department/Research Lab, etc. The following article provides some examples of questions you may want to ask during your first day/week: 12 Questions To Ask on Your First Day of Work | Indeed.com
Tip 2: Introduce Yourself to Your Colleagues and Build Relationships
First impressions are important, and work relationships are vital!
There are very few industries where people work in silos, and healthcare research is not one of them. In your research experience, you will be connecting with a variety of colleagues, including Principal Investigators, research administrators, post-docs, fellow students, and more—all working together toward solving complex problems and making new discoveries.
Taking the time to introduce yourself and putting effort into getting to know your colleagues is incredibly important, both for your professional career and for your experience at BIDMC. It’s also crucial for the success of the team and the projects you’re working on.
Furthermore, this is a golden opportunity to expand your professional network. Your supervisor and colleagues could play a role in helping you find your next position or simply serve as valuable connections to stay in touch with after your experience ends. Building these relationships can pay off both now and in the future!
The video below offers some best practices for introducing yourself as a new intern
Tip 3: Review the Research News You Can Use (RNYCU) Weekly Newsletter and Take Advantage of Events and Workshops Offered at BIDMC That Interest You
BIDMC, like many medical centers, is a decentralized structure. Therefore, it can be difficult to navigate the medical center and find offerings outside of your Department/Research Lab.
That said, there is so much happening at BIDMC, and we encourage you to take advantage of anything that interests you. You will begin receiving a weekly newsletter at your bidmc.harvard.edu email, Research News You Can Use (RNYCU), which compiles updates across BILH/BIDMC that are relevant to the research community.
The BIDMC Office of Student Engagement and Experience (OSEE) also offers professional development opportunities and social events for research students, helping you learn more about topics of interest and make connections with fellow research students across BIDMC. More information about the BIDMC OSEE and programs offered is below.
RNYCU includes a section dedicated to OSEE, featuring reminders about OSEE services and upcoming events. Please keep an eye out for this!
Tip 4: Take Advantage of the BIDMC Office of Student Engagement and Experience (OSEE)!
The BIDMC Office of Student Engagement and Experience is a centralized office dedicated to supporting you throughout your research experience. OSEE oversees student affairs and works with both students and departments to ensure that you have an excellent experience at BIDMC.
In addition to the support you receive from your supervisor and team in your research role, OSEE offers the following services:
- Advising Services (in-person and virtual options) to guide you throughout your experience at BIDMC, including career advising and support.
- Professional Development Events for Research Students.
- Social Events for Research Students.
Ethan Selinger, Program Director for the OSEE, is a seasoned educator and career advisor who can assist you as you begin your work experience and navigate BIDMC. He has coached students in a variety of settings on the topics outlined in this training section to help them make the most of their work experiences.
You can read more about OSEE’s services and schedule an advising appointment here: https://calendly.com/eselinge-bidmc/30min
Your Onboarding Experience:
It is important that your onboarding process is smooth and that you are able to settle into your role. Two weeks from your start date, you will receive an email to your bidmc.harvard.edu email with an anonymous Two-Week Feedback Form, which will ask you questions related to your early experiences as a research student at BIDMC. We hope you’ll complete the form, as your feedback is invaluable to OSEE.
Any questions about the information on this page can be directed to Ethan Selinger, Program Director of OSEE, at eselinge@bidmc.harvard.edu.