3 answers
Kayleigh
Student
Pylesville, Maryland
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Research Internship
Hello! I am currently a junior in high school going into my summer before senior year. I am interested in doing a research internship with a local physics college professor over the summer, and I am looking for advice on how to go about that. What steps should I take, what should my email look like, etc? Thank you!
#internships #internship #summer-internship #research
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3 answers
Ophelia Wen
Experienced Assurance Associate at PwC LLP
5
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Los Angeles, California
Updated
Ophelia’s Answer
Hi Kayleigh!
I agree with Satya, it's important to demonstrate in your cover letter or email to the professor what has motivated you to apply for the internship. I would research some parts of the industry and then mention why you think you would be a good fit - what motivated you to get started, and your past experiences that will help you to demonstrate that you are a great candidate for the internship. For instance, why did you choose physics and why do you want to pursue a career in it? It's already proactive of you to ask this question on CareerVillage and many people appreciate someone who is proactive and willing to ask for what they want.
I agree with Satya, it's important to demonstrate in your cover letter or email to the professor what has motivated you to apply for the internship. I would research some parts of the industry and then mention why you think you would be a good fit - what motivated you to get started, and your past experiences that will help you to demonstrate that you are a great candidate for the internship. For instance, why did you choose physics and why do you want to pursue a career in it? It's already proactive of you to ask this question on CareerVillage and many people appreciate someone who is proactive and willing to ask for what they want.
Satya Singh, PhD
Molecular Biologist | Immunologist | Virologist | Science Communicator
4
Answers
Edison, New Jersey
Updated
Satya’s Answer
You should for sure go ahead and email the professor . But before that do your due diligence to understand what you specifically like about his research and what motivates you to work with him. How that particular internship will help you in achieving your career goal. What is your career goal ?? Include all this in your email. You can go ahead and impress him by saying you read this article about him and his research. Also, some universities have a Summer program for high school and you can inquire about that from the admin. Hope this helps!!Good Luck.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Kayleigh,
Steps to Secure a Research Internship with a Physics College Professor:
Identify Potential Mentors: Start by researching physics professors at local colleges or universities who specialize in areas that interest you. Look for their research interests and recent publications to find a good match.
Prepare Your Resume/CV: Update your resume with relevant coursework, projects, skills, and any previous research experience. Highlight any achievements or awards that demonstrate your passion for physics.
Write a Professional Email: When reaching out to potential mentors, make sure your email is concise, polite, and professional. Introduce yourself, explain why you are interested in their research, and inquire about potential internship opportunities.
Express Your Interest: Clearly articulate your interest in gaining research experience in the field of physics and explain how working with them would benefit both parties.
Attach Your Resume/CV: Include your updated resume or CV as an attachment to provide more information about your background and qualifications.
Follow Up: If you don’t receive a response within a week or two, consider sending a polite follow-up email to express your continued interest and inquire about the status of your application.
Prepare for an Interview: If a professor expresses interest in having you as an intern, be prepared for an interview where they may ask about your academic background, research interests, and goals for the internship.
Discuss Expectations: Once you secure an internship opportunity, clarify expectations regarding work hours, responsibilities, goals, and any potential compensation or academic credit.
Stay Engaged and Proactive: During the internship, stay engaged with the research project, ask questions, seek feedback, and demonstrate your commitment to learning and contributing to the team.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
National Science Foundation (NSF): The NSF provides valuable resources on finding research opportunities for high school students interested in STEM fields like physics.
American Physical Society (APS): APS offers guidance on securing research internships in physics and connecting with professionals in the field.
College Physics Professors’ Websites: Visiting the websites of college physics professors directly can provide insight into their research areas and contact information for potential internship inquiries.
GOD BLESS YOU KAYLEIGH!
James Constantine.
Steps to Secure a Research Internship with a Physics College Professor:
Identify Potential Mentors: Start by researching physics professors at local colleges or universities who specialize in areas that interest you. Look for their research interests and recent publications to find a good match.
Prepare Your Resume/CV: Update your resume with relevant coursework, projects, skills, and any previous research experience. Highlight any achievements or awards that demonstrate your passion for physics.
Write a Professional Email: When reaching out to potential mentors, make sure your email is concise, polite, and professional. Introduce yourself, explain why you are interested in their research, and inquire about potential internship opportunities.
Express Your Interest: Clearly articulate your interest in gaining research experience in the field of physics and explain how working with them would benefit both parties.
Attach Your Resume/CV: Include your updated resume or CV as an attachment to provide more information about your background and qualifications.
Follow Up: If you don’t receive a response within a week or two, consider sending a polite follow-up email to express your continued interest and inquire about the status of your application.
Prepare for an Interview: If a professor expresses interest in having you as an intern, be prepared for an interview where they may ask about your academic background, research interests, and goals for the internship.
Discuss Expectations: Once you secure an internship opportunity, clarify expectations regarding work hours, responsibilities, goals, and any potential compensation or academic credit.
Stay Engaged and Proactive: During the internship, stay engaged with the research project, ask questions, seek feedback, and demonstrate your commitment to learning and contributing to the team.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
National Science Foundation (NSF): The NSF provides valuable resources on finding research opportunities for high school students interested in STEM fields like physics.
American Physical Society (APS): APS offers guidance on securing research internships in physics and connecting with professionals in the field.
College Physics Professors’ Websites: Visiting the websites of college physics professors directly can provide insight into their research areas and contact information for potential internship inquiries.
GOD BLESS YOU KAYLEIGH!
James Constantine.