Document Type

Article

Domestic/International

Domestic

Location

Providence, Rhode Island, United States

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This reflection examines a summer research internship at Brown University's Cognition, Emotion, and Life Experiences (CEL) Lab, where the I studied suicide risk among the inpatient population at Butler Hospital. Secured through an alumni referral, the internship provided hands-on experience with research infrastructure, confidential patient data management, and direct interaction with a vulnerable clinical population. Beyond technical skill development, the experience emphasized the importance of mentorship, professional communication, and interpersonal fit within a research team. The internship clarified my career direction, resolving prior uncertainty between clinical patient care and research by revealing a genuine interest toward a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Overall, the experience strengthened both my technical research competencies and my confidence in pursuing psychology research as a long-term career path.

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The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.