Research Expectations
Expectations during the summer
The project requires long field days and exceptional personal discipline. The members of the GVSU field crew are chosen because they have shown the ability to excel under these conditions. The typical day may include 6 to 14 hours in the field and then planning and data entry in the lab, this may leave little time for cooking, eating and sleeping (let alone personal time). Thus it is important to make a conscious effort to stay happy and on task. The following is a brief reminder of the expectation during the summer. They are not comprehensive.
1. Stay healthy
(Don't do foolish things, get good sleep and eat proper –the nearest quality hospital is in Anchorage so do not put yourself at risk, stay in a good sleep routine and minimize the junk food).
2. Maintain a healthy working environment
(Keep your area clean and organized; also be kind, respectful and helpful to others –this includes members of other research teams even when they are not overly helpful to us).
3. Be fun to be around
(At times everyone is hungry, tired, and cold! Keep a positive attitude and be social to others –do not avoid people or spend extended time in your room).
4. Take the initiative
(You know what needs to be done, stay on top of your schedule and help others –everyone is busy and no one wants to have to remind you of what to do, this includes household chores such as cleaning and cooking).
5. Act as a research team
(Work together to make sure that the tasks assigned to the project are completed and have fun together –socializing outside of work is critical to maintaining group cohesion during the long field season).
6. Be a good ambassador for the project
(Go out of your way to explain our research and help other researcher groups –the connections you make may be valuable to your career and they enhance the profile of the project).
7. Ask questions
(Make sure you are doing your work properly –the best way to make good measurements is to understand why the measurements are made and what will be done with the data).
