[phas-undergrad] Other summer research / internship opportunities

[Kurtis Williams]

Hi everyone, and welcome back to the spring semester!

Despite the winter weather, it is time to think about applying for summer internships and/or summer research opportunities.  Internships and/or undergraduate research look fantastic on resumes, even if they are not in the same field as your ultimate careers.  They also help many students learn whether they like and have skills in scientific research.  Here are some of the opportunities.  Don't delay, though - applications for internships and REU programs are often due in January or February.

If you have questions on how to apply, feel free to talk to me or most any faculty member.


1.    REU Programs

*         One excellent set of programs are the Research Experience for Undergraduate programs sponsored by the National Science Foundation.   These are (usually) 10-week paid programs in residence at another university.  You can search for programs at this web site: https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/reu_search.jsp


In particular, there are REU programs specializing in

o   Astronomy (https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.jsp?unitid=5045)

o   Physics (https://www.nsf.gov/crssprgm/reu/list_result.jsp?unitid=69)

But feel free to look in other categories such as  Materials Research, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, and Geosciences



*         Commerce has an REU program.  In past years this has been limited to community college students, but if our program gets renewed funding we will also be able to take a couple A&M-Commerce students as well.  Keep your eyes and ears open!


2.    Summer internships

*         Many firms offer summer internship opportunities; you should look at their websites for details.  A few that I am aware of include:

o   The Mickey Leland Environmental Internship Program (MLEIP), which often hosts students interested in low-level radioactive waste management (https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/radmat/rw_reg_lic.html), a good career that has a high need for employees, especially those with physics backgrounds

o   L3Harris https://careers.l3harris.com/search-jobs/Internship/

o   Texas Instruments https://careers.ti.com/jobs/co-op-internships/

o   Lockheed Martin https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/careers/candidates/students-early-careers/internships.html

There are many, many more.


3.    Summer research work in Commerce



Many of our faculty are happy to work with students on research projects.  Some even have money to pay summer undergraduate researchers.  The thing to do here is just talk to a professor who you might like to work with and ask if they have positions available and if those are paid or not.  In nuclear physics, Dr. Li, Dr. Bertulani, and Dr. Newton often hire students.  In surface physics, Dr. Park and Dr. Chourasia work with students. In physics education research, Dr. Lock and Dr. Newton have projects.  And in astronomy, Dr. Montgomery and I often work with students.



Cheers,

Dr. Williams

Dr. Kurtis A. Williams (he/him/his)

Assoc. Professor and Interim Department Head

Department of Physics and Astronomy<https://www.tamuc.edu/physics>


P: 903.886.5488


Texas A&M University-Commerce<https://www.tamuc.edu/>



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