<p>D'15, who will be only 15 all next summer, is interested in internship, volunteer opportunities in a medical/science setting. Lab assistant, hospital volunteer, that sort of thing.</p>
<p>We are in a smaller college town. A large research U is about 45 minutes away and there is a local hospital 10 minutes away, not affiliated with that U. Local hospital seems to want volunteers who are 16 or older.</p>
<p>For not-summer, a local option with after school or weekend hours would be necessary. For summer, her preference would be a structured residential program in the midwest or northeast.</p>
<p>Where would you start a search for such things?</p>
<p>Try the summer program forum under “Pre college” on CC. There are lots of programs there. You could have your daughter email people and ask if she can shadow or volunteer, but 45 min is a lot for a daily drive.</p>
<p>KEI Precollege study abroad has a 5-6 week research internship in Bangkok. The website is difficult to navigate but call Eduard (his info is under contacts on the website) if you are interested. I participated at age 15 and would be happy to provide more info via PM.</p>
<p>D did a Summer@Brown neuroscience program last summer and is interested in doing something similar this summer but perhaps with more hands-on work. She will not want to leave the country, she’s clear on that.</p>
<p>I guess I am looking for two things here: ideas about who to approach locally, in general. I can check guidance and she can ask doctors I know and profs at the local college to start but CC folks always have lot of great ideas as to where to start or what kinds of institutions I may not have thought of.</p>
<p>Also looking for summer ideas, ideally classroom + research.</p>
<p>avon that looks like a great opportunity for the following summer when she is 16 (she’s a young soph), thank you!! We are closer to Columbus (that’s 45 mins away),I bet there’s something there that is similar.</p>
<p>I’ve twice seen age 16 as a requirement to volunteer or work in a hospital, I wonder if she is too young to do anything in one…? For paid work, I understand, hiring a 15 year old is a pain in terms of employment law.</p>
<p>I faced the same issue multiple times. I’m currently a senior, but I didn’t turn 16 until late fall of my junior year. The hospital, local university, etc. wouldn’t accommodate a 15 year old (I did get a position at a local nursing home though). It takes creative planning.</p>
<p>It might be hard to get a lab assistant spot at a research university because priority will go to the college students, and if it is paid, to those that have work-study. I would think you would need a personal connection to find something, and even so, a professor may still want a college student if they have the time and resources to train someone. It is sort-of their obligation to teach the students attending that university. But maybe I am being too pessimistic.</p>
<p>I would not count out liberal arts colleges. Professors there have research labs too, and may be more short-handed.</p>
<p>Thanks. I know many profs and staff at our local LAC - it’s walkable for her from home . That may be the best avenue to explore for the after school/weekend volunteer stuff for now.</p>
<p>We do also have a “graduated” senior living community that has welcomed volunteers in the past she may be able to work with. </p>
<p>Love to hear summer ideas if anyone has them. She has a good list of summer pre-college type programs to apply to. She needs free or very good FA, or if possible of course, paid. But it sounds like any paid position would only be possible the following summer when she’ll be 16.</p>
<p>Has your D tried emailing (nearby) professors whose work seemed interesting? (The very worst they can say is no). Also, has your D asked her science teachers at school for any suggestions?</p>
<p>Another summer option may be some sort of assistant at a science camp/academic program for younger kids… maybe one that tries to get girls excited about science or tries to reach out to disadvantaged students?</p>
<p>Many states have programs sponsored by state funds (your funds) that are obscure and not well-advertised. For example, there is a program in my county in which only the kids from the county can participate in a boat-building summer internship. In addition to the other recommendations in this thread, you might also find other opportunities by contacting the educational administration in the state government to see what kinds of internship programs they manage/fund.</p>