Seeking Part-Time Physics Enrichment This Summer

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Engaging in extracurricular activities in physics during the summer can be beneficial, especially for students catching up on credits. Contacting a professor with similar research interests for part-time assistance is a viable option, even if the student does not know the professor personally. Offering help for free can be a strategic move to gain experience and potentially secure a letter of recommendation later. While professors may be busy, showing genuine interest and presenting oneself well can increase the chances of a positive response. Some participants in the discussion have successfully taken on similar roles, indicating that it is not uncommon for professors to accept part-time help. Additionally, applying for Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) is recommended for those interested in research opportunities in the future.
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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!
 
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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.
 

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