Dept of Energy (DoE) and Dept of Defense (DoD) Intern

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around internship opportunities available through the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the US Department of Defense (DoD) for STEM majors. Participants share insights on various programs, personal experiences, and the importance of considering these opportunities alongside research at home institutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant highlights several internship programs offered by the DOE and DoD, suggesting that students should explore these options if their research interests are not well supported at their home institutions.
  • Another participant shares a personal anecdote about how internships contributed to their and their spouse's success in graduate school and careers.
  • Multiple participants engage in a humorous exchange regarding the confusion between the abbreviations for the Department of Energy and the Department of Education, with corrections and jokes about the naming conflict.
  • A participant mentions a historical context regarding a committee established during the Carter administration to address the naming issue.
  • One participant shares a positive experience with the SULI program at SLAC, indicating the value of such internships.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the value of internships and the importance of exploring various opportunities. However, there is a lighthearted disagreement regarding the correct abbreviation for the Department of Energy, with multiple corrections and humorous comments about the confusion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes some informal exchanges and humor, which may not contribute to the technical understanding of the internship opportunities. There is also a lack of consensus on the historical naming conflict, as it is presented more as a humorous anecdote than a resolved issue.

Who May Find This Useful

Students majoring in STEM fields, particularly those interested in internships with government agencies, as well as educators and faculty advising students on research and internship opportunities.

Dr. Courtney
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UROP gets lots of attention on these discussion boards, but it isn't the only game in town. The US Dept of Energy and the US Dept of Defense have a number of other programs open to US citizens who are STEM majors in college:

https://science.energy.gov/wdts/suli/
https://orise.orau.gov/doescholars/
https://smart.asee.org/about/eligibility
http://www.dodstem.us/stem-programs/internships
https://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=2907
https://www.arl.army.mil/www/default.cfm?page=1519

I tend to think that research and publication opportunities at your home institution should be your first choice should you have attractive opportunities there. However, it is worthwhile to consider and apply for other opportunities to see what doors open to you, especially if you have areas of research interest that are not well supported at your home institution.

My wife and I met in the precursor to one of the above programs (SULI) and our internships were key both in getting into top 10 grad schools as well as in forming us as scientists and succeeding in our careers.

If you read this far, you are probably thinking "how strong an applicant will I be?" The faculty at your home institution who know enough about you to write your letters of recommendation are much more qualified to answer that question than strangers on the internet who only know a paragraph or two of what you are willing to share on a public forum. Have a look at the requirements and begin a discussion with your local faculty.
 
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One correction: DoE = Department of Education. DOE = Department of Energy.
 
Vanadium 50 said:
One correction: DoE = Department of Education. DOE = Department of Energy.
That's hilarious. Sounds like the Department of Redundancy Department should have caught that conflict early on and decided on a different name for one of them... o0)
 
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I understand the Carter administration set up a committee to settle it. It's still meeting.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
DoE = Department of Education.
Vanadium 50 said:
I understand the Carter administration set up a committee to settle it.
Lol... it seems to have been settled...

DoED
The agency's official abbreviation is "ED", because "DOE" instead refers to the United States Department of Energy. It is also often abbreviated informally as "DoEd".
BTW, this post made, courtesy... an HFEO... :oldtongue:
 
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I had a good experience at SLAC through the SULI program.
 

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