Finding a Summer Science Internship
 

 

Why do an internship?

·         Gain experience

·         Earn money (usually)

·         Learn about careers

·         Make contacts with people who may help you find positions in graduate school or help you find a job

·         Create meaningful resume experiences

·         Increase your confidence (personally and professionally)

·         Improve your science skills

·         Motivate you when you return to Monmouth classes

·         Learn what it means to do full-time research or work

·         It is a FUN way to spend the summer.

 

How to begin the process of finding an internship?

 

Planning a time-line and using your resources

 

·         First things first, write an up-to-date resume and have one of your science professors and staff members in the Wackerle Center check it (see hints below and more to come on the Chemistry Web page).  Hints on writing resume can be found here and at the Wackerle Center.

 

·         Use who you know to help you (it it called networking).  Go talk to professors, parents, parent’s friends, sorority alumnae, coaches, fraternity alums, club advisors, or anyone that you think may have useful information.  

 

·         Use the Monmouth Chemistry website (will be updated continually) to find places where summer opportunities are offered.

 

·         Do lots of research and searching on-line.  Searches like “summer undergraduate internships,”  “minority summer research internships”  etc. will help you find information and is continually changing.  Use several search engines.

 

·         Make a list in Excel or Word with of internships, their due dates, and material needed.

 

·         Ask the people you plan to have recommendation letters for you the following question, “Do you feel comfortable writing a supportive letter for me to find a summer internship?”  If they are not happy to do so, or if they seem indifferent you may want to consider asking someone else.  A good letter is often the key to getting an internship.  Last year we had 2 people accepted after the scientist read only their letters of recommendations (not even the application)!

 

·         Apply to LOTS of internships!  These are competitive so you will get some rejections, everyone does.  Don’t be afraid to ask why your application was rejected.  It may help you build a stronger application for the next place.

 

·         APPLY EARLY.  While many internships have deadlines, often they are finished accepting people by that deadline.  Most deadlines are between February 1-March 1 but some have a Dec.1 deadline.  Breaks are a great time for working on these.
 

·         While there are many formal programs there are other ways to create internships.  Remember, most people who you will intern with were you at some point.  Call individual professors, email people at companies, send letters of interest to a firm you are interested in. 

 

·         There are some useful books out there too but most of the information found in these is also available on-line

·         American Chemical Society Directory of Graduate Research current year

·         Peterson's Engineering, Science , and Computer Jobs

·         National Society for Internships and Experimental Education, National Directory of Internships. In the Science Library.

·         Research Centers Directory and International Research Centers Directory.