<p>Is there any way for me to intern with a professor or a graduate student at some university for me to start my research over the summer?</p>
<p>Definitely. It all depends on where you live, of course, but generally you can help with ongoing research to get an idea of what it's like. I would recommend emailing (or calling) a professor or graduate student at a local university. You can usually find information on the university's website.</p>