<p>Hi everyone!
I just secured an internship at a local state university. The lab is in the chemistry department and I'm really excited! I was wondering if anyone could tell me what my experience might be like? I know these internships are all different but what did you do? Will I be the test tube washer, will I work with the other members of the lab? Any advice or insight is really appreciated!</p>
<p>Last summer I had a chemistry/ biochemistry internship. As soon as I found my mentor (I was given three possible places that he might be), I was introduced to the project that I would be working on. This was a previous project attempted by a graduate student. On the previous attempt, the genetic material mutated half way through; the whole project had to be restarted. This was my job. I started working on the project on day one. Each lab member (myself included) worked independently on their projects during the day. We had a weekly lab meeting in which we would discuss our progress on experiments. We also had another meeting for which we were to read a scientific paper (ahead of time, of course) and discuss it. I was accepted as part of the group and treated as though I was a graduate student, even though I had just completed my sophomore year of high school. This might be very uncommon (I’m not sure; I thought most interns just washed glassware. I guess it just depends on your maturity and the PI.) I was also responsible for writing a paper on my project to be turned in at the end of the internship. Overall, it was a very enjoyable experience. </p>
<p>Congrats on your internship. If you have any further questions, I would be happy to help! :)</p>
<p>Did you guys send emails asking for an internship? I really want to do an internship at a college but I don’t know how to proceed…</p>
<p>You can directly email professors. You may have to email quite a few before you find one that has space for you. Either that or apply to research summer programs that will coordinate research opportunities for you. Admission to these programs is often competive, but sometimes you would get a perk such as housing, whereas with an internship it would mainly be on a commute basis.</p>
<p>Approach the internship with flexibility and an open mind. Try to get to the lab along with the earliest arrivers, and stay until your team is ready to go home. This may be a long day. Be willing to help EVERYONE. Be upbeat and friendly. Ask for references about information you are not familiar with, make reprints, and read those materials if you have nothing else to do. They are fine to leave strewn around your desk if you have one. Go to lab meetings, and try to follow the discussion. Ask your team after the meeting to explain what went on. </p>
<p>If they think you are passionate, smart and hard working you will learn and get to do a lot more. </p>
<p>Remeber that your mentors and co-workers are very busy, and any time they take to teach you is a gift.</p>
<p>Leave your cell phone stored. NO TEXTING or internet surfing at work. Dress like the investigators in your lab. </p>
<p>If you have to take a few hours for a doctor appointment or something, let your team know several weeks in advance, and remind them twice (once the day before). You don’t want anybody to think you are just not showing up. Clearly define your start and end dates. Send thank you notes after you finish. </p>
<p>Try to write up something about your work and plan to submit it to your local science fair or science competition if eligible. Read those contest requirements before you start your internship. If that is a big goal, speak to the principal investigoator in your lab about topics they may recommend for your submission. But that is on YOUR TIME, not necessarily the LAB’s TIME.</p>
<p>@Kitten23 When should I email the professor if I want to an internship during summer? What about winter break? Also, how do I know what projects the professors are working on?</p>
<p>@hawkace, You can often find information about various professors on the college website. This information can be found by either navigating to the department site and finding a link to faculty information. More easily, google the professor’s name and institution if you know of one that you would like to work with. This information should include means of contacting them, along with a description of the type of research they do. I would email them as soon as possible in order to secure a position. You may have difficulties finding a prof that would allow a high school student in their lab. Lab space is another issue that could prevent you from obtaining an internship. If you express interest early, you will be more likely to successfully land an internship. Also, once you have found a professor that will have you in their lab, you could get a head start by reading scientific papers relevant to your research topic. Good luck with your search!</p>
<p>@hawkase there are some good threads about internships on here. I emailed about 35 professors so don’t be discouraged! I found a PI whose work is really exciting to me and sure it will be great! Anyone else have any experiences with summer internships?</p>
<p>Any chance for emailing professors in the fields of political science, law, or mathematics?</p>
<p>Also, what did you do in your internships?</p>