Getting a Summer Research Getting a Summer Research Internship in Science or Internship in Science or

EngineeringEngineering

Dr. Sumana DattaDr. Sumana DattaAssistant Dean of Undergraduate Assistant Dean of Undergraduate

ResearchResearchTexas A&M UniversityTexas A&M University

Why do research? -- Practical Why do research? -- Practical Goals.Goals.• Learn material in your major by hands-on Learn material in your major by hands-on

work outside the classroom.work outside the classroom.• Develop a one-on-one mentoring Develop a one-on-one mentoring

relationship with a professor.relationship with a professor.• Find out what you like and don’t like to do.Find out what you like and don’t like to do.• Improve your resume.Improve your resume.• Get more informative letters of Get more informative letters of

recommendation for jobs, graduate or recommendation for jobs, graduate or professional school applications.professional school applications.

• Find out more about what being a Find out more about what being a professional in your area is like.professional in your area is like.

Why do research? -- Improve Why do research? -- Improve your skills.your skills.

• Learn how to work in teams to Learn how to work in teams to accomplish a goal.accomplish a goal.

• Learn how to explain and defend Learn how to explain and defend your results.your results.

• Learn advanced technical skills.Learn advanced technical skills.

• Learn better problem solving skills.Learn better problem solving skills.

• Learn better time-management skills.Learn better time-management skills.

Why Summer Research?Why Summer Research?• Concentrate on your research full-time.Concentrate on your research full-time.

• Meet and work with researchers at other Meet and work with researchers at other institutions.institutions.

• Try something completely different that Try something completely different that might depend on geography/location.might depend on geography/location.

• Develop additional contacts for jobs, Develop additional contacts for jobs, professional or graduate school.professional or graduate school.

• Live and explore somewhere else for a Live and explore somewhere else for a summer.summer.

• ““Test” a place you might want to go after Test” a place you might want to go after graduation.graduation.

First questions to ask First questions to ask yourself:yourself:

What do you want to do?What do you want to do?

Where do you want to go?Where do you want to go?

Is there something you would never want to do?Is there something you would never want to do?

Is there someplace you would never want to go?Is there someplace you would never want to go?

What types of programs are What types of programs are available?available?

• CollegesColleges• UniversitiesUniversities• Research Research

CentersCenters• HospitalsHospitals• MuseumsMuseums• Field workField work• CompaniesCompanies• NationalNational• InternationalInternational

What do What do mostmost (but not all) (but not all) summer programs provide?summer programs provide?

• Place to livePlace to live

• Food Food

• Stipend, generally about $4000Stipend, generally about $4000

• Enrichment experiences-seminars, Enrichment experiences-seminars, workshops, tours, field trips.workshops, tours, field trips.

• Research internship of about 10 Research internship of about 10 weeks.weeks.

Be sure to ask about:Be sure to ask about:

• How they match you to a project or research How they match you to a project or research advisor.advisor.

• Health insurance/medical requirements.Health insurance/medical requirements.• Help with travel costs to and from the site.Help with travel costs to and from the site.• Start and end dates.Start and end dates.• Transportation and safety around the site Transportation and safety around the site

late at night or on weekends.late at night or on weekends.• Availability of peer mentors.Availability of peer mentors.• Whether you will need to enroll for the Whether you will need to enroll for the

summer.summer.• Social or other extra-curricular activities Social or other extra-curricular activities

offered.offered.

Requirements for summer Requirements for summer programsprograms• Current undergraduate status.Current undergraduate status.• Most request sophomore or junior status.Most request sophomore or junior status.• Coursework appropriate to your status and Coursework appropriate to your status and

relevant to the area of the summer internship.relevant to the area of the summer internship.

Other requirements vary by program!Other requirements vary by program!

• Some require a minimum GPA.Some require a minimum GPA.• REU Programs-US citizens or permanent resident.REU Programs-US citizens or permanent resident.• Some target under-represented populations, Some target under-represented populations,

women, ethnic minorities or first generation/low women, ethnic minorities or first generation/low income college students.income college students.

Where and how do I find Where and how do I find them?them?

• Google “Undergraduate Research Program” and the field you Google “Undergraduate Research Program” and the field you are interested in (as globally or specifically as you want).are interested in (as globally or specifically as you want).

• Go to http://ugr.tamu.edu/ then Go to http://ugr.tamu.edu/ then OpportunitiesOpportunities -> -> External External Opportunities-Opportunities-> > Summer Research OpportunitiesSummer Research Opportunities..

• Go to http://ugr.tamu.edu/ then Go to http://ugr.tamu.edu/ then OpportunitiesOpportunities -> -> External External Opportunities-Opportunities->>International OpportunitiesInternational Opportunities..

• http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2008_12_12/caredit.a0800181previous_issues/articles/2008_12_12/caredit.a0800181

• Is there someone specific you want to work with? Familiarize Is there someone specific you want to work with? Familiarize yourself with their research and then contact them directly!yourself with their research and then contact them directly!

Science and EngineeringScience and EngineeringThe NSF funds a variety of summer The NSF funds a variety of summer

programs around the country called programs around the country called REUs.REUs.

REUs are generally for students from REUs are generally for students from OTHEROTHER institutions (i.e. your chances of institutions (i.e. your chances of being accepted to a Texas A&M REU is being accepted to a Texas A&M REU is small).small).

Check out the Career Center Check out the Career Center (HireAggies.com) for placement in (HireAggies.com) for placement in internships and co-ops.internships and co-ops.

Many non-REU programs also exist.Many non-REU programs also exist.

Science and EngineeringScience and EngineeringSomeSome of the places you can go are: of the places you can go are:

• Caltech, Pasadena, California.Caltech, Pasadena, California.• MIT, Cambridge, Boston.MIT, Cambridge, Boston.• Dartmoth, Hanover, New Hampshire.Dartmoth, Hanover, New Hampshire.• Duke, Durham, North CarolinaDuke, Durham, North Carolina• Stanford University, Palo Alto, California• Jackson Labs, Bar Harbor, Maine.Bar Harbor, Maine.• Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts• US Naval Research lab, Washington DC.• Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia.• Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland.Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland.• University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MichiganUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan• National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Boulder, National Institutes of Standards and Technology, Boulder,

Colorado.Colorado.• University of California,Berkeley, Berkeley, California.University of California,Berkeley, Berkeley, California.• University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California.University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California.

Science and EngineeringScience and EngineeringSOMESOME of the areas are: of the areas are:• NanotechnologyNanotechnology• Infectious diseaseInfectious disease• MathMath• PhysicsPhysics• Oceanography/marine biologyOceanography/marine biology• Geology/miningGeology/mining• Watershed use/Environmental scienceWatershed use/Environmental science• Materials EngineeringMaterials Engineering• Mechanical EngineeringMechanical Engineering• RoboticsRobotics• Radar/atmospheric sensingRadar/atmospheric sensing• EvolutionEvolution• Molecular and Cellular BiologyMolecular and Cellular Biology• BiochemistryBiochemistry• Bioinformatics/genomicsBioinformatics/genomics

Public Policy for AggiesPublic Policy for Aggies

Texas A&M has its own summer programs!Texas A&M has its own summer programs!

• Public Policy Internship Program in Public Policy Internship Program in Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C. (deadline Feb 11(deadline Feb 11thth))– Non-profitsNon-profits– Government agenciesGovernment agencies– Think tanksThink tanks

• Public Policy Internship Program in Paris. Public Policy Internship Program in Paris. (deadline Feb 11(deadline Feb 11thth))– U.S. Commercial ServiceU.S. Commercial Service

International Summer International Summer InternshipsInternships• You do not always have to speak the local You do not always have to speak the local

language. Many of the top research institutions language. Many of the top research institutions in Europe (for example) use English as the in Europe (for example) use English as the “professional” language.“professional” language.

• But speaking the local language might help you in But speaking the local language might help you in daily life there!daily life there!

• Check out the search engines or listings at the Check out the search engines or listings at the UGR website under either International UGR website under either International Opportunities or Summer Research Opportunities Opportunities or Summer Research Opportunities -> National Science Foundation-> International.-> National Science Foundation-> International.

• Check out CDS through Career Center Office Check out CDS through Career Center Office (language proficiency required)(language proficiency required)

Examples of International REU Examples of International REU ProgramsPrograms

• Tropical biology/conservation in Costa Rica.Tropical biology/conservation in Costa Rica.

• Chemistry in France, Italy, China and the UK.Chemistry in France, Italy, China and the UK.

• Mathematics in Prague, Czech Republic.Mathematics in Prague, Czech Republic.

• Geology/environment on San Salvador.Geology/environment on San Salvador.

• Organic Chemistry in Bangkok, Thailand.Organic Chemistry in Bangkok, Thailand.

• Nanotech/materials in Poland and Puerto Nanotech/materials in Poland and Puerto Rico.Rico.

• Physics in Paris, Japan or UK.Physics in Paris, Japan or UK.

Look under “International Science and Engineering” on REU website.

CDS (www.cdsintl.org)CDS (www.cdsintl.org)

• Countries: Germany, Spain, ArgentinaCountries: Germany, Spain, Argentina• Requirements:Requirements:

– US CitizenshipUS Citizenship– Two years of college-level Spanish or German Two years of college-level Spanish or German

• You You pay a fee to applypay a fee to apply (~$700) (~$700)– No fee if you are not qualified.No fee if you are not qualified.– CDS handles work permits, interviews and CDS handles work permits, interviews and

placement.placement.• Most internships are paid.Most internships are paid.• Application deadline Feb 1Application deadline Feb 1stst!!• Information Information tomorrowtomorrow Rudder 404 5-6:15 pm. Rudder 404 5-6:15 pm.

Companies/FoundationsCompanies/Foundations• Google Google http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/static.py?http://www.google.com/support/jobs/bin/static.py?

page=students.html&sid=internpage=students.html&sid=intern

• Microsoft Microsoft https://careers.microsoft.com/careers/EN/US/CollegeInternships.aspxhttps://careers.microsoft.com/careers/EN/US/CollegeInternships.aspx

• American Society of Magazine Editors American Society of Magazine Editors • Sierra ClubSierra Club• AT&TAT&T• BoeingBoeing• Northrup-GrummanNorthrup-Grumman• Johnson and JohnsonJohnson and Johnson• KodakKodak• LucentLucent• Also check out for more options:Also check out for more options:http://depts.washington.edu/eip/research.htmhttp://depts.washington.edu/eip/research.htmhttp://www.urop.uci.edu/opportunities/frame_offcampus.htmlhttp://www.urop.uci.edu/opportunities/frame_offcampus.html

International StudentsInternational Students

• The Career Center (HireAggies.com) The Career Center (HireAggies.com) has a section devoted to you! has a section devoted to you! – InternationalStudents4Hire.comInternationalStudents4Hire.com– Internships, externships, cooperative Internships, externships, cooperative

education opportunities.education opportunities.

• Check your VISA restrictions-you may Check your VISA restrictions-you may not be able to work outside of TAMU.not be able to work outside of TAMU.

What is the timeline?What is the timeline?

• Application deadlines range from early Application deadlines range from early February through March, but February through March, but some are earliersome are earlier. .

• Do NOT ask your professor to write you a letter Do NOT ask your professor to write you a letter at the last minute—that almost guarantees that at the last minute—that almost guarantees that the letter is not as good as you might wish.the letter is not as good as you might wish.

• Many require a letter of recommendation and a Many require a letter of recommendation and a short essay describing your interests or goals.short essay describing your interests or goals.

• Some may require an official transcript.Some may require an official transcript.

How do I apply?How do I apply?

Application forms can generally be Application forms can generally be found online at the program’s website.found online at the program’s website.

Sometimes you may have to email or Sometimes you may have to email or call the contact person listed to call the contact person listed to receive an application.receive an application.

You may have to download, fill in and You may have to download, fill in and mail a paper application—factor that mail a paper application—factor that into your timeframe!into your timeframe!

Continuing sources of Continuing sources of informationinformation• Undergraduate Research ListservUndergraduate Research Listservhttp://ugr.tamu.edu/resources/http://ugr.tamu.edu/resources/

undergraduate-research-listserv.htmlundergraduate-research-listserv.html

• Undergraduate Research webpageUndergraduate Research webpagehttp://ugr.tamu.edu/http://ugr.tamu.edu/

Office of Proposal DevelopmentOffice of Proposal DevelopmentFunding Opportunities → Funding Funding Opportunities → Funding

Opportunities by Category → Opportunities by Category → Undergraduate Research OpportunitiesUndergraduate Research Opportunities

Need to take summer Need to take summer classes?classes?Try looking for a part-time research position Try looking for a part-time research position

here at Texas A&M!here at Texas A&M!

• Research for credit hours.Research for credit hours.

• Research for pay (if your professor has the Research for pay (if your professor has the funds).funds).

• You may be able to do the research during You may be able to do the research during the summer and pay for the credit hours in the summer and pay for the credit hours in the fall.the fall.

How to find and approach a How to find and approach a professorprofessor

• Read their webpage first!Read their webpage first!• Contact them early (at least before spring Contact them early (at least before spring

break).break).• Have a suggestion as to what part of their Have a suggestion as to what part of their

research interests you the most.research interests you the most.• Have a short resume with your contact Have a short resume with your contact

information, any previous experience, information, any previous experience, relevant courses and references.relevant courses and references.

• Try to meet them face-to-face rather than Try to meet them face-to-face rather than emailing.emailing.

General TipsGeneral Tips

• Start EARLY (Start EARLY (nownow!).!).

• Prioritize applications by deadline Prioritize applications by deadline and effort required.and effort required.

• Ask for letters from your professors Ask for letters from your professors now. Don’t worry about asking for now. Don’t worry about asking for multiple letters—it’s easy to edit multiple letters—it’s easy to edit once the letter is written.once the letter is written.

Questions?Questions?

Contact Info:Contact Info:Office of Undergraduate ResearchOffice of Undergraduate Research

ugr@tamu.eduugr@tamu.edu458-0039458-0039