Misha O’Keeffe (’24)
Majors: Economics, Psychology
Hometown: Rolling Meadows, IL
Internship: Bonawitz Computational Cognitive Development Laboratory at the Harvard Graduate School for Education, Summer 2023
What inspired you to apply for this internship?
I was drawn to this internship due to its alignment with my academic interests in psychology and neuroscience, particularly in the field of cognitive development.
How did the SuccessWorks Internship Fund support this experience?
Receiving internship funding, specifically from SuccessWorks, played a crucial role in enabling me to fully engage in this internship. The funding covered various essential aspects, including my internship salary, housing, travel expenses, food, and even professional attire. Without this financial support, it would have been nearly impossible for me to participate in the internship, especially to this extent.
This internship has showcased how well UW-Madison has prepared me for success on an academic and professional level….I’m inspired by the notion that UW-Madison has equipped me not only with knowledge but also with the resilience and determination to reach new heights. I look forward to giving back and creating opportunities for future Badgers to achieve their dreams.
What did you do and learn?
On a daily basis, my activities included extensive coding in R and probabilistic programming using WebPPL/Julia. I focused on developing generative mathematical models of human cognition. Additionally, I actively participated in professional development workshops, engaged in collaborative meetings with fellow scholars in the department, attended regular lab meetings, and culminated the summer with an enriching end-of-summer symposium where I had the privilege to present my research findings.
I learned that I could excel and make meaningful contributions alongside some of the brightest minds in the field. This experience highlighted my capability to compete effectively in a demanding research environment. I also gained a deep appreciation for how much I can bring back to my home lab at Madison, as well as contribute to the broader academic community. The insights and skills I acquired have the potential to enrich my local department and academic community, fostering collaboration and knowledge dissemination.
How have you brought this experience back to Madison?
Towards the end of my program, I was given the offer to continue to intern remotely due to the successful launch of two studies under my mentor’s guidance. My current responsibilities involve overseeing and facilitating these studies, including data collection and analysis. I have already gotten so much out of this opportunity and I’m excited for all that is still yet to come through continuing our work together this year.
I want to express my profound gratitude to the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the exceptional education and unwavering support I’ve received. This internship has showcased how well UW-Madison has prepared me for success on an academic and professional level. The financial assistance I received through programs like SuccessWorks has been instrumental in making this journey possible. It’s a testament to the university’s commitment to its students and their aspirations. As I continue to thrive in this internship and beyond, I’m inspired by the notion that UW-Madison has equipped me not only with knowledge but also with the resilience and determination to reach new heights. I look forward to giving back and creating opportunities for future Badgers to achieve their dreams.
Support the dreams of Badger students. Click here and search “SuccessWorks Internship Fund” to make a gift