So true! Her first position required her to be in a lab for hours at a time, sometimes by herself. She learned a lot about various types of equipment and did a lot of cleaning and setting up. I remember her speaking a lot about the shoes she was required to wear.
She did have a paid position in a research hospital, where she still had a lot of learning to do about the equipment, and where she still put in long hours to clean up. She often worked 12 hour shifts- the hospital had a shuttle bus from her apartment that accommodated the crazy hours. This lab position did result in a published paper, but it was not her first position..which was really about learning….and cleaning.
She also learned that there is science research that does not require spending all day in a lab.
@newparent2025 just be aware of what your daughter will be doing as a HS student. It might not be what she expects..or maybe it is.