Seeking Part-Time Physics Enrichment This Summer

  • Thread starter Thread starter EP
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Physics Summer
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking part-time physics enrichment opportunities during the summer, particularly through informal arrangements with professors. Participants explore the feasibility of contacting a professor for assistance in research without a formal internship.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in contacting a professor for part-time help, questioning the appropriateness of such an approach and the likelihood of a positive response.
  • Another participant suggests that it is reasonable to ask, provided the individual presents themselves well and demonstrates genuine interest.
  • A participant inquires about the experiences of others regarding part-time help from professors, noting that full-time internships seem more common.
  • One participant shares their experience of knowing others who have successfully engaged in similar arrangements and recommends considering Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) for future opportunities.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that reaching out to a professor is a viable option, but there is uncertainty regarding the commonality of part-time arrangements compared to full-time internships. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the typical practices of professors in this context.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific information about how professors typically respond to such requests and the varying experiences of students in different departments.

Who May Find This Useful

Students seeking extracurricular opportunities in physics, particularly those interested in informal research assistance or exploring summer enrichment options.

EP
Messages
76
Reaction score
0
Hi! This summer I would like to do something extracurricular within physics. I'm taking classes this summer to catch up in credits due to transferring so I don't really have time to get an internship. But I was wondering if it would be ok to contact a professor who has a similar research interest as me to see if he could use any help this summer. Of course I would offer my services for free (with the hidden agenda getting a letter of recomondation later). I don't know if professor's typically do this? It would be a part-time thing but I'm not even sure what to really ask of him. Also the professor I have in mind I don't actually know and he is the head of the math and sciences department, so do think he would have time for someone like me?

Any suggestions on how to get some part-time enrichment work this summer would be great! Thanks!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It can't hurt to ask. As long as you present yourself well and show genuine interest I don't see why he would turn you down if he was looking for someone.

Give it a shot! Good Luck!
 
Just curious, has anyone ever done something like this. Or has any professor's here just taken a student as part-time help for the summer. I guess I like to just have some conformation on this because I here of people doing full time internships with students but not usually part time.
 
I'm know of several people in my department that have done this. Personally, I applied for an REU, which is an NSF funded research internship. You should consider applying one of those next summer if you are a US citizen of permanent resident and interested in getting involved with research. They hold them at universities across the country.
 

Similar threads

Programs REU Opportunities for International Students in Theoretical Physics
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Ph.D. Physics Student Seeking Summer Research in Canada
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Other Name omitted from Professor's research paper- What should I do?
  • · Replies 25 ·
Replies
25
Views
6K
Other What to do as a research intern?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Admissions Plasma Physics PhD from an EE undergrad
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Other Any Virtual Summer Research/Internships for High-school Graduates?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Programs Questions About Referrals for Physics REUs (for Undergrads)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Other Recommended work for an undergrad (internships, research, etc.)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Admissions What REU's to apply to with a mediocre GPA?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Funding for Summer Research in the USA
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K