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Internships
sohaibshaikh
323 replies55 threads Member
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sohaibshaikh
323 replies55 threads Member
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Replies to: Internships
Apply.
I have a lab internship, and what I did was just email a couple professors, and just mentioned how I was interested in a specific aspect of their research and if they would talk to me about that topic or let me help them out.
Science Buddies: How to Find a Mentor
If you have any questions (like about what topic I research, where I research, when I started), feel free to ask. It's an AMAZING experience.
Unless you have a serious interest, in science I doubt any prof would be willing to take you in. At the moment you just look like you are app-padding.
I was asked to comment on the topic of internships because I have interns in my lab now and have in the past. I am a professor at Johns Hopkins and I run a research laboratory. I understand that it must be intimidating to think about how to approach someone you don't know, and that is why, when students do approach me, I tend to pay attention. It is getting over the hump of shyness to put yourself out there that is important. Even if there isn't a place for you, be active. Incidentally, the advice posted by Kallisti is "spot on" and I'll add just a bit more.
A research lab is not summer camp. It is a commitment to work and to learn. It is serious business--everyone in my lab is expected to get results so that (1) the lab stays funded and they can get a salary and (2) their individual careers progress. For these reasons, labs and lab directors can be a little hesitant to take on young people. Young people may not have the "maturity" necessary to interact with the older lab members, they probably won't have the scientific background, and there are definite hazards in the laboratory. Institutions will have age restrictions on who can work in a lab because of liability issues. In short, taking an intern is a major responsibility for the lab.
When you write to a professor, you need to introduce yourself, convey your interest in science and research, and ask if there might be space in their lab for someone like you to work. It is useful to have some kind of credibility for these interests--e.g., you belong to the high school science club, you participate in CTY activities (or other equivalent programs), you want to do a school honor's project in the lab and can get a letter from your science teacher regarding your project. Money is always tight so you should not expect to be paid (but if you work out, the lab director will be more than happy to have you back and to pay you). For starters, though, you say that you'll be more than happy to work as an unpaid intern and that you're willing to do whatever is asked for this opportunity. Once you've proven yourself to be a valuable contributor, you can worry about payment. The first thing is to get your foot in the door and to get a chance. The other important factor is to state that you understand that research is a long-term commitment and that you're interested in working even during the school year and vacations so that your progress continues. Labs are not interested in taking an intern just so that the person can make his or her college application look good. I interview everyone who enters my lab and during an interview, such shallow motivations can usually be revealed. I only seek students who really want to learn and work. In the end, it will be up to each individual to convince the lab to accept you as an intern.
I intern at Columbia University researching alternative energy techniques. My professor never really asked me what courses I had taken, but last year I was taking AP Physics, AP Biology, and AP Calculus. But once again, my professor never really asked for my classes, he seemed more intent on the enthusiasm of the student to read papers and such.
My professor is AMAZING, he is really enthusiastic and gives you an opportunity to do real, independent reseach, and says he loves working with high school students. But I'm lucky, I heard some stories about professors that don't really care. My internship is unpaid, but I really don't mind, because the experience and the people I meet is really exciting.
I want to major in physics or mathematics, so this really interested me. I think year-long internships are good because you normally can take the time to run detailed experiments and thorough research.
I'm not sure if that helped, but if you have any more questions you can let me know