Research internship

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

<p>So I know it is very late but I am sending emails for a computer science research internship. Here is a sample email. Is it good? Also how much knowledge do I need for a computer science internship? How can this lead to a project for the intel isef or Siemens competition?</p>

<p>Dear Dr. xxxx,</p>

<p>My name is xxxxxx, and I am a rising sophomore at Xxxxxx High school. I am very interested in computer science, especially in robotics and artificial intelligence. I read about your research in robot motion in unpredictable environments which I found very interesting. I would like to know if I could work at the Xxx lab this summer and perhaps the upcoming school year. Attached is my resume. </p>

<p>Thanks,
Xxxxxxx</p>

2

<p>Comma after “environments.” Put the accents on “résumé” if you want to be pretentious.
As a rising high school sophomore you’re probably not going to get anything…it’s hard enough for college sophomores to find internships. :slight_smile: But there’s no harm in trying. </p>

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<p>Ok Thankyou, so I am doing the right approach? But how does this help me do an isef or siemens project? What do other people do?</p>

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<p>I got a Neuroscience research internship as a rising junior (i will be back there again as a rising senior) but it was very difficult. Try your state’s university, they are the most likely to take you. </p>

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<p>You’re going to have to email a lot of people. I emailed upwards of twenty before I found anyone that even replied. </p>

<p>If you’re looking for a mentor for a big science fair like one of the Intel ones (I’m a little fuzzy on the different ones…), you might want to let them know. You need to be upfront with your intentions (not a relationship play, I promise) and say, I’d like to work on “…” and do a little proposal and see if they’ll help you out. You’ll want to make it more eloquent, of course.</p>

<p>As for your email, maybe instead of “I would like to know if I could work at the Xxx lab this summer”, try something like, “I would like to know if I could help you at XXX lab this summer,” or if you’re asking about them helping you on your own research, try something like, “I would like to know if you would be willing to offer your assistance in a project of my own relating to “…””</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>@louie412 What is the difference between “work at XXX lab” and “help you at XXX lab”? How does the second mean create a research project while the first means just work?</p>

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<p>@kkpanu9‌ it implies that you aren’t expecting to be paid.</p>

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<p>@louie412 ohhhh I seeee. Should I also directly say “I don’t expect any monetary compensation”</p>

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<p>Oh and Is it ok if I ask Ph.D students to help at the lab. I am not sure if they have the authority to let me help at the lab, or if they just work there.</p>

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<p>@kkpanu9‌
You don’t need to specifically say that you aren’t expecting money, but just make sure you word it so that it doesn’t seem that you are…sorry that doesn’t make much sense.
And about the Ph.D student: Personally, I went straight to the professor who is now setting me up with a post doc student. I think if you can find a Ph. D student that works on the project you’re looking at, it can’t hurt to talk to them. If you’re looking for your own thing, definitely go straight to the professor or coordinator.</p>