Internship opportunities for summer between undergrad and grad school

In summary: If you are a recent graduate and are looking for research opportunities, there are a few things you can do. First, check out the webpages of national labs, as these organizations often have internships available. Additionally, if you are interested in pursuing an internship in a particular field, you can research different companies in that field and send in your resume. Finally, you can also look for research opportunities online.
  • #1
d3nat
102
0
What research opportunities are there out there for the summer between undergrad and grad school?

For undergrads, there are the REUs that most people do.
But REUs require that you have not graduated yet.

This upcoming summer I'll be between graduate and undergraduate studies. So no REU this summer.

I'm thinking of applying to the national labs, but I know those are really competitive and I don't want to be left without anything.

Any other research options out there that people know of? I don't mind traveling to whatever part of the country or world if necessary. I, in fact, love traveling, so that's not a prohibitory at all.

Thanks for the suggestions
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
There are large companies that have labs where you can get research experience. I'm working at a company right now that manufactures tools for scientific measurement and observation - my internship is in the R&D department, and I'm doing research. I got the internship with no prior lab experience. There are also smaller companies that need lab technicians to run experiments and you'll certainly end up getting research experience in those sorts of positions.

My recommendation is to look for opportunities in industry. My personal experience was that it was more feasible. I perceived a sort of a void of academic research opportunities for graduated students.
 
  • #3
Have you asked your grad school if they have any ideas? You can always show up a few months early, find a place to live, get settled in, and many a professor there has something you can work on. It helps if you don't need to get paid for it.
 
  • #4
Does anyone know if doing an REU in a different STEM field from the one you will pursue in grad school will have any bearing on your application? Basically, are graduate departments impressed by REU's because they teach you in general how to research, or are they impressed by REU's because you researched in the department's field?
 
  • #5
  • #6
Lavabug said:
The US dept. of energy has internships for recent graduates in a number of fields:

http://science.energy.gov/wdts/suli/

Check national labs' webpages too.



Thank you, I'll check that out!
 
  • #7
eri said:
Have you asked your grad school if they have any ideas? You can always show up a few months early, find a place to live, get settled in, and many a professor there has something you can work on. It helps if you don't need to get paid for it.

I'm applying to grad schools this fall, so I won't know if/which I'm accepted into until early 2013. I don't want to chance not having something for the summer by waiting to ask whatever grad school I get accepted into.
 
  • #8
ThereIam said:
My recommendation is to look for opportunities in industry. My personal experience was that it was more feasible. I perceived a sort of a void of academic research opportunities for graduated students.


How did you go about looking for internships in industry?
 
  • #9
d3nat said:
How did you go about looking for internships in industry?

The company is a good company that employs a lot of interns. They recruited at my school, and I applied twice and got it the second time (as a graduated student).

There are certainly other companies that do this, and others that you just haven't heard about. If you're willing to travel, it's worth doing some broad initial research into what's available out there.

Tech hot spots are a good first place to look (and there's a lot more out there than Silicon Valley), as they often have start-ups that need basic lab help and larger companies that have the resources to bring in interns. Just be creative about where you look, aggressive about your application, and apply a lot a lot a lot.

G'luck.
 
  • #10
d3nat said:
Thank you, I'll check that out!

SULI is a research internship for undergraduates. That being said, you have to be currently enrolled in an institution.
 

1. What types of internships are available for students between undergrad and grad school?

There are various types of internships available for students during the summer between undergrad and grad school. These may include research internships, industry internships, non-profit internships, and government internships.

2. How do I find internship opportunities for the summer?

There are several ways to find internship opportunities for the summer between undergrad and grad school. You can search online job boards, network with professionals in your field, attend career fairs, and reach out to your university's career center for resources and guidance.

3. Will internships during this time count towards my graduate program requirements?

It depends on your graduate program and the specific internship you are considering. Some graduate programs may allow internships to count towards credits or fulfill certain requirements, while others may not. It is best to consult with your graduate program advisor to determine if a specific internship will count towards your program requirements.

4. Are internships during this time paid or unpaid?

Internships during the summer between undergrad and grad school can be both paid and unpaid. It is important to research and consider the financial implications of each opportunity before accepting an internship position. Keep in mind that some internships may offer stipends or other forms of compensation in addition to a salary.

5. What is the benefit of completing an internship during the summer between undergrad and grad school?

Completing an internship during this time can provide valuable hands-on experience in your field of study, help you build professional connections and network, and enhance your resume for future job opportunities. It can also help you gain a better understanding of your career interests and goals before starting your graduate program.

Similar threads

  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
456
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
17
Views
3K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
3
Views
754
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
18
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
681
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
6
Views
959
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
2
Views
863
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
28
Views
2K
Back
Top