Author: reufinder

Is getting paid research on your list of goals for the new year? If so, get started by applying to these REU programs with upcoming deadlines

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY SULI PROGRAM

Summer internships at the DOE Labs includingAmes Lab, Argonne National Lab, Brookhaven National Lab, Fermi National Lab, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab,Oak Ridge National Lab,Pacific Northwest National Lab, Princeton Plasma Physics Lab, Stanford Linear Accelerator Lab, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors and Recent graduates
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 12, 2021
Apply

US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Community College Institute Program
The Community College Internship (CCI) program seeks to encourage community college students to enter technical careers relevant to the DOE mission by providing technical training experiences at the DOE laboratories. Selected students participate as interns appointed at one of 16 participating DOE laboratories. They work on technologies or instrumentation projects or major research facilities supporting DOE’s mission, under the guidance of laboratory staff scientists or engineers.
Deadline to Apply: January 12, 2021
Apply

UC SAN DIEGO DESIGNING FOR SAFETY & SAFETY BY DESIGN

Program Description: The overarching goal of this NSF REU Site is to immerse students in a meaningful and highly interdisciplinary research environment within the structural engineering domain and to teach them that design does not end with construction. Instead, designing for safety embodies: quantifying potential load conditions, damage mechanics, and uncertainties; monitoring for anomalies during operations; processing this information through cyber-modeling via digital surrogates; and translating the information to actionable knowledge for improving current and future system designs. This REU Site will recruit and train 12 diverse U.S. scholars for eight weeks each summer, recruited from across the nation with emphasis on broadening the participation of underrepresented minority, women, and economically-disadvantaged students, to conduct research alongside six professors and their graduate students.

Levels: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors, and non graduating seniors
Minimum GPA: 3.3
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Apply

PRINCETON
QUANTUM INTERN WITH IBM AND PRINCETON

“In 2019, IBM Quantum and Princeton University launched the QURIP program, during which 10 students from educational institutions across the United States spent the summer focused on theoretical and experimental research in quantum computing.”

Interns will spend the first part of the experience working at Princeton University on a research project in either quantum materials, condensed matter physics, atomic physics, quantum information science, quantum algorithms, and quantum architecture. For the second part students will apply their research as working as an IBM intern.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors.
Citizen US Citizen & Permanent Residents
Minimum GPA: not specified
Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2021
Apply

SENS RESEARCH FOUNDATION SUMMER SCHOLARS PROGRAM 

The SRF Summer Scholars Program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct biomedical research to combat diseases of aging, such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s Disease. Under the guidance of a scientific mentor, each Summer Scholar is responsible for his or her own research project in such areas as genetic engineering and stem cell research. The Summer Scholars Program emphasizes development of both laboratory and communication skills to develop well-rounded future scientists, healthcare professionals, and policy makers. Students participating in the program will hone their writing skills via periodic reports, which are designed to emulate text scientists commonly must produce. At the end of the summer, students will have the opportunity to put all of their newly developed communication skills into practice at a student symposium

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors,  Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents and International students on a case-by-case basis.

Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadlines to Apply: January 15, 2021
Apply

CARNEGIE MELLON

PASSIONATE ABOUT ROBOTICS & AI?

“Carnegie Mellon’s Robotics Institute Summer Scholars provides funded, high-quality undergraduate research experiences to propel your academic future. Conduct research in robotics and artificial intelligence with pioneers defining the field! 

Join us for a summer of research, innovation, and discovery.

Quick Dates and Information

• Applications accepted November 1, 2020 to January 15, 2021 at 12 noon EST
• The program runs from June 1 to August 6, 2021
• Apply at https://riss.ri.cmu.edu/apply/ 
• Scholarships for both U.S. and International Undergraduate Students Available
• Hosted by the Robotics Institute at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh
• Scholarships fund your exploration. 

We believe every student should have the opportunity to explore research – that’s why RISS doesn’t let financial barriers hinder you from participating. If you are passionate about robotics, we’re here for you. Upon selection, you’ll be eligible for numerous scholarships.  

Open New Doors
When you join us, a team of mentors and tutors are ready to back you, passing on years of knowledge & experience, and helping you at every step. The program equips you with essential skills and knowledge so you are better prepared for graduate school and industry.  You will also attend robotics talks and workshops that expand your perspective of the field. Your work over the summer will culminate in a presentation and published journal What you do here opens doors for years to come.”

Undergraduates from both US and International Institutions are eligible to apply

Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2021
Apply

COLD SPRING HARBOR

The Undergraduate Research Program (URP) at CSHL provides an opportunity for undergraduate scientists from around the world to conduct first-rate research. Students learn the scientific process, technical methods and theoretical principles, and communicate their discoveries to other scientists. Approximately 20 students come to CSHL each summer for the 10-week program, living and working in the exciting Laboratory environment.

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Citizenship Status: Students of any country are eligible to apply.
Minimum GPA: Not specified
(However, Successful applicants generally have GPAs around 3.5 or higher in their science and math courses
Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2021
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Center for Neurotechnology REU

The CNT at the University of Washington will sponsor a 10-week Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) on the Seattle campus during the summer.  This program provides undergraduate students with opportunities to work on research projects with scientists and to take part in workshop training sessions in ethics, communications, and scientific presentation skills designed to provide the undergraduate scientist with a solid foundation for graduate study.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US citizens & permanent residents
Deadline to Apply: January 15, 2021
Apply

STANFORD MEDICINE CARDIOVASCULAR INSITUTE

In this ten-week program students will work on cardiovascular research with Stanford faculty on research supported by the American Heart Association, The National Institutes of Health, and the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. Participants will receive a stipend for their work. The program will be either in person or virtual or summer 2021.

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents or US Citizen, Permanent Resident, or holder of one of the following visas: F-1, H1, H1B, J1, PR, TC or TN
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline: January 15, 2021
Apply

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL OF PHILADELPHIA RESEARCH INSTITUTE

The Center for Injury Research and Prevention (CIRP) at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute hosts the Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program, a 10-week paid summer research internship opportunity for undergraduate students. CIRP is a leading multidisciplinary center engaged in collaborative cross-discipline research implementing real-world applications.

Students must be interested in pursuing a PhD

Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 16, 2021​
Apply​

MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING CANCER CENTER
QUANTITATIVE SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH EXPERIENCE (QSURE)

The QSURE internship program is designed for exceptional undergraduate students with an aptitude in quantitative sciences and an interest in cancer and population health.  Students will participate in an individual research project and receive exposure to methods in biostatistics, epidemiology and health outcomes research.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomore, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: Be authorized to work in the US
Minimum GPA: Not specified
Deadline to Apply: January 20, 2021
Apply

STANFORD

Stanford’s Science Technology and Reconstructive Surgery (STARS) Program is a 7-week program for high The 7-week STaRS Internship is for high school and undergraduate students considering careers biomedical and biological sciences. Students must be age 16 or older at the time of the program to apply. Students under 18 will require signed parental consent forms to work in a biochemistry laboratory.  For the 2021 program the program may be virtual or in person.
Levels: High School Students, College Freshmen, College Sophomores, College Juniors, and non Graduating College Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: There are no citizenship restrictions
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: January 20, 2021
Apply

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

The FREEDM Systems Center Summer REU program offers a research opportunity to undergraduate students who are majoring in electrical and computer engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science engineering, computer science and related fields. The undergraduate student will spend 10 weeks during the summer conducting research at NC State, learning different aspects of university research, and presenting their work at symposia.

Levels: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline: January 24, 2020
Apply

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Northwestern’s Quantitative Biology Undergraduate Summer Research Program offers a virtual summer research fellowships to majoring in biology, engineering, mathematics, statistics, or physics to participate in hands-on laboratory or computational research that applies mathematical concepts and methodology to understanding mechanisms in biology.

The majority of projects will use coding languages including MATLAB and Python.
Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 25, 2021
Apply

DUKE UNIVERSITY (NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE PHYSICS RESEARCH)

“Students participate in a 10-week summer program combining research experience, lectures, and social activities. Students applying to this program have a choice of indicating their preference to work in one of two research components: (1) nuclear and particle physics at TUNL or (2) high-energy particle physics with the Duke High-Energy Physics (HEP) group. Students who are selected to work with the Duke High-Energy Physics program will spend about 6 weeks of the 10-week summer program at CERN. The REU students will conduct research under the supervision of faculty from the TUNL consortium universities: Duke University, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Each student is fully integrated into a research group and works closely with graduate students, postdocs and other undergraduate students in the group and has opportunities to interact with other groups at TUNL and the High-Energy Physics group at Duke. The students are assigned well-defined projects that are often part of a larger research project or program.”

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: January 25, 2021
Apply

UC SAN DIEGO SUMMER TRAINING ACADEMY FOR RESEARCH SUCCESS (STARS)

The University of California at San Diego Summer Training Academy for Research Success (STARS) program is an eight week summer research academy for community college students, undergraduate students, recent college graduates, and masters students. STARS offers student participants a rigorous research opportunity with esteemed UC San Diego faculty, informative transfer and graduate school preparation workshops, and educational, cultural, and social activities in sunny San Diego.

Levels: Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and non-graduating seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: AB 540 or DACA students are eligible or US Citizens or Permanent Residents.

Deadline: January 27, 2021
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII AT HILO

The Pacific Internship Programs for Exploring Science (PIPES) is an undergraduate internship program housed within the Office of Research & Community Partnerships at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Our goals are to (1) foster a community committed to the stewardship of our natural resources in the Pacific and (2) work with a team of host mentors to provide interns with a transformative hands-on learning experience.

Applicants from students interested in pursuing a career related to conservation research, natural resource management and environmental education are strongly encouraged to apply.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors. 

Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Minimum GPA: 2.0
Deadline to Apply: January 30, 2021
Apply

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Molecular Biology and Genetics of Cell Signaling
This is a ten week summer program for ten students, focusing on diversity and funded as an NSF REU site. Each student does an intensive research project in one of the two dozen labs associated with the program. The research topics of these labs span molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, development, and structural biology. Students give poster and oral presentations at the end. The MBG REU Program has weekly meetings with discussions by faculty to give overviews of their research, with descriptions of the grad school application process, and with faculty critiques of students’ drafts of their posters and slides. Also included are several social activities with peer mentors who are current PhD students here.

Levels: Rising Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: 3
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline: January 31, 2021
Apply

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) offer the potential for significant improvements in the mobility, safety, accessibility, and sustainability of transportation systems. As rapid advances occur in the automotive industry, there are a myriad of associated social consequences that will result from large-scale deployment. However, these consequences are not well understood, and there is an imminent need to train students in sociomobility -an area of research at the intersection of engineering and the social sciences. Michigan State University invites undergraduate students to apply to a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) site in sociomobility, which will train future thought leaders for careers that are focused on the development of innovative, multidisciplinary solutions that jointly address both the technical and societal aspects of autonomous vehicles (AVs).

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and non-graduating Seniors
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2021
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

The purpose of SPUR is to provide undergraduate students with an intensive 10-week research experience under the mentorship of a University of Utah faculty member. The program provides opportunities to gain research experience in a variety disciplines.

Levels: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors & Non-Graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens, Permanent Residents, Dreamers and DACA students
Minimum GPA: Not specified
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2021
Apply

AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 

“The Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program in Systematics and
Evolutionary Biology is funded by the National Science Foundation and has been in
place for over 25 years. The program brings approximately eight students to the
American Museum of Natural History in New York City each summer for a ten-week
experience working with our curators, faculty, and post-doctoral fellows. Research
projects span diverse fields of comparative biology including paleontology, genomics,
population biology, conservation biology and phylogenetics and taxonomy. Students
have access to the Museum’s immense natural history collections as well as state-of-the art equipment for advanced imaging (CT scanner, SEM, TEM) and genomics (Sanger
and pyrosequencing platforms). “

Levels: Sophomores & Juniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2021
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY

SUPERB participants spend nine weeks at UC Berkeley during the summer working on exciting ongoing research projects focused on Big Data with EECS faculty mentors and graduate students. Students who participate in this research apprenticeship explore options for graduate study, gain exposure to a large research-oriented department, and are motivated to pursue graduate study.

Levels: Sophomores & above
Minimum GPA: 3
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2021
Apply

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT BERKELEY

Transfer-to-Excellence Research Experiences for Undergraduates (TTE REU), a competitive merit-based program, seeks to inspire California community college students through research at UC Berkeley so that they will ultimately transfer and complete their Bachelor’s degree in science and engineering. The TTE REU program is a residential program providing nine-weeks of hands-on research experiences in the laboratories of UC Berkeley professors. This program is jointly funded by an NSF Site award and the Center for E3S. 

This program is limited to students attending a community college that plan to apply for transfer admission to a baccalaureate program in science or engineering.

GPA: 3.25+ GPA in science, engineering, & math courses
Citizenship Requirements:  U.S citizen, national, or permanent residents 

Applicants must be enrolled at a California community college; Completed 2 Calculus courses & 3 Science or Engineering courses  by June 12 2021. Plan to return to a California community college in Fall 2021.
Deadline to Apply January 31, 2021
Apply

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

The Summer Institute in Biomedical Informatics (SIBMI), now entering its 16th year, is for undergraduates with quantitative interests and skills who aspire to contribute to translational advances in biomedicine with a future PhD or research-oriented MD or MD/PhD

Levels: Rising Juniors & Seniors
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Citizenship Requirements:  U.S. Citizen or permanent residents only
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2020
Apply

RUTGERS

The DIMACS REU program combines many associated subprograms, which are administered together and run concurrently as a single program. The programs support interdisciplinary projects focused around computer science and mathematics, and are mentored by Rutgers faculty. Project descriptions have included topics in computer science, mathematics, statistics, biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as applications to national security and critical intelligence. Located at Rutgers University, DIMACS facilitates research, education, and outreach in discrete mathematics, computer science theory, algorithms, mathematical and statistical methods, and their applications. A select group of students will spend 2 weeks in Prague as part of the international program component. 

Levels: Juniors
Citizenship Requirements” US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Minimum GPA: Not Specified
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2021
Apply

VIRGINIA TECH & COLORADO STATE

Interested in Biology and Computer Science? This REU combines both.  Work with leading researchers in bioinformatics, computational biology, mathematical modeling and synthetic biology. Students will spend half of their summer at Colorado State and then continue to do research at Virginia Tech. Students will learn  about experimental yeast genetics, computational modeling, and network biology algorithms

Students majoring in computer science, biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, and related areas are encouraged to apply.

Levels: Sophomores, Juniors & Non-graduating Seniors
Citizenship Requirements: US Citizens & Permanent Residents
Deadline to Apply: January 31, 2021
Apply

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Much research has shown that GRE scores alone do not adequately predict one’s potential to succeed in graduate programs. Placing a strong emphasis on GRE scores alone fails to consider the inequities of standardized tests. Furthermore, the cost for GRE test preparation courses is not universally accessible particularly to low income, women and minority students.  A number of universities have recognized the flaws of standardized tests and have advocated for programs to adopt a more holistic review that places less of an emphasis on test scores.

In 2017 the University of Michigan’s biomedical sciences graduate program decided to no longer require applicants to submit GRE scores. This forward thinking decision would spawn a movement for more schools to reconsider GRE scores as a requirement for admission.  #GRExit became an opportunity to disclose the bias that the GRE scores elicit against underrepresented groups (women, minorities, first generation college students and low-income students). Then COVID-19 happened and all universities were forced to consider whether or not GRE Scores (particularly in these unprecedented times) were really all that important… 

As someone who works with undergraduates in engineering who are preparing for graduate schools I will tell you something that I find myself telling students every single day: Every aspect of our lives has been impacted by COVID so it’s not realistic to think that your application will not have some impact by COVID.  Whether it’s making the decision to take a course for a letter grade or deciding not taking the GRE.  One student challenged this notion and said, “Not really my life hasn’t been affected by COVID at all. My parents are still employed and I tend to stay home a lot anyway.” “Really? Are we not having this conversation over Zoom? Are you not taking all of your lab classes online?”  

In August MIT decided that in their school of Engineering the following programs would not accept GRE scores for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle:   Aeronautics and Astronautics, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Nuclear Science and Engineering, and Medical Engineering and Medical Sciences.

A consortium of Computer Sciences PhD programs including UC Berkeley’s Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences announced that GRE scores will not be part of the review process even if they have already been submitted. This National Sciences Foundation consortium the FLIP Alliance ((Diversifying Future Leadership in the Professoriate) includes 11 schools all of which has agreed to waive the GRE requirement for their Computer Sciences Programs 2021 admissions cycle.

FLIP Alliance Schools and Computer Science PhD Deadlines:

• Carnegie Mellon University (December 10)
• Cornell University (December 15)
• Georgia Tech (December 15)
• Harvard University (December 15)
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (December 15)
• Princeton University (December 15)
• Stanford University  (December 1)
• University of California at Berkeley (December 8)
• University of Texas (December 1)
• University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign (December 15)
• University of Washington (December 15)

Like many things have been changed as a result of COVID-19 this may be something that schools will forego long after a vaccine is approved and we’re physically back in the classroom.

Although Halloween is just around the corner, be sure to avoid these scary and cryptic things you might be doing to your resume or CV.  Undergraduates, here is a short list of things you don’t want to do!

Only listing your GPA if it’s a 3.5 or above.  This is ridiculous advice that’s often given to undergraduates.  I’ve seen many 3.0 student’s who think they shouldn’t put their resume because it’s not high enough.  First off, if you’re a STEM major you should realize that you likely have a heavy course load and shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. If you decide not to include your GPA then be sure to speak confidently if it comes up. If you’re a first year student without a GPA then include your high school gpa or your community college transfer gpa. Just be sure to include that these are from a prior school.

Scary or Cryptic? 
Scary because you should know that your GPA does not define your interest nor your aptitude.  

Failing to list jobs and opportunities you acquired that were impacted by COVID.
Maybe you got an internship last summer but it was cancelled due to COVID. Maybe you got an REU last summer. Why are you not listing this??? You likely went through interview after interview, got the job offer, even got housing arranged and then suddenly then suddenly you got the call that your internship was cancelled due to COVID. Maybe you were all set to work in a lab but the lab was closed so you couldn’t participate. This is through no fault of yours.  You need to include this!

Scary or Cryptic? 
Cryptic because they will have no idea that you received a job or research internship offer this past summer unless you tell them. Even it it didn’t happen it does show that you have aptitude.

Not listing your professor and/or lab’s name when listing research experience.  I see this a lot and it doesn’t make sense. Why wouldn’t you include your professor’s name?  Here’s an example of how you might list your lab position:
Name of School, Undergraduate Researcher, Name of Lab
Advisor: Your PI or Faculty Adviser, Project Area or Research Area:
then list your contributions and a description of the project. 

Scary or Cryptic?  
Cryptic If you interned at Apple would you list it as a Tech Company in Cupertino?

Not spelling out acronyms Sometimes acronyms could have double meanings.  If you live in Los Angeles and put down USC that means University of Southern California but if you live on the East Coast USC means University of Southern Carolina.  Also, DOE could mean Department of Energy or Department of Education.  

Scary or Cryptic?  
Cryptic. Similarly, what if you are listing an award from ACM.  Is that Association of Computing Machinery or American Country Music Award?
Quick Sidebar: If you won an ACM award (any kind) why aren’t you sharing your story??  

Putting photos on your resume.  It’s generally not customary to include a photo on your resume. It’s wasted space that you could use for listing out credentials that you want to highlight. Save the photos for LinkedIn.  

Scary or Cryptic?  Likely cryptic if it’s an old photo. Make sure your LinkedIn photo actually looks like you.  If you’re still using your senior portrait from high school and you’re now a senior in college you might want to update your LinkedIn photo

Putting company logos all over your resume. Your resume should be text not logos.  Although you might be excited that you had an internship at a FAANG company (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Alphabet (google) it looks really bad to have a resume covered with logos.

Scary or Cryptic? You want your resume to look like a resume not a Black Friday ad we’ll call this one scary because think about what you do with those Black Friday ads that come in the mail. Don’t give them any reason to put your resume in the recycle bin   

Putting a QR Code on your resume If I’m emailing you a resume then a QR is pointless and if you’re handing someone a resume why would you ask them to look elsewhere. 

Scary or Cryptic? Cryptic because I don’t understand why one would put a QR code     

Not including relevant coursework that is in progress and planned.  Think of it this way, you’re likely applying for summer internships for next summer.  With this in mind, remember it will be helpful to include classes that you are taking now AND classes that you plan to take this fall.  Maybe the REU wants someone who has a year or programming experience or year of chemistry by the time the internship happens. Guess what? If you list that then they’ll know you have this.
  
Scary or Cryptic?
This one’s both Cryptic and Scary.  Cryptic because no one will know that you have this coursework unless you tell them and scary because you might be missing out on an opportunity if you don’t include coursework.

Now once you’ve made sure that you don’t have any of these scary or cryptic resume flaws your resume will be as sweet as candy. Start applying now for summer positions now and you’ll see the opportunities come knocking on your door just like trick or treaters.

Everyday on the first day of class I start off by making eye contact with a student sitting in the back of the class and say, “You know my brother works at Stubhub, he often gets free concert tickets. He’s got tickets to the upcoming Beyonce concert.  By any chance, are you a Beyonce fan?”  An excited student will eagerly nod and say yes!!  I’ll then stay in character and say, “Great. Okay, so I have to let him know exactly where you want to sit in order for him to get the tickets. Where exactly would you like to sit?” Almost on cue the student will say, “Front row, as close as possible.”  In a boisterous tone I’ll say, “Really? Front Row!! You want to sit in the Front Row!  Well, why aren’t you sitting in the front row right now??” The other students will laugh along with their classmates and I’ll then proceed to tell them the fact that students who sit in the line of sight of their professors always do better.  It’s not always Beyonce, one year it was K-Pop, another year it was Guns N’Roses because a student’s phone went off and her ringtone happened to be “Sweet Child O’Mine.” 

Regardless of the artist, the message is the same. Students need to sit in front. Now in a pandemic and with the lecture halls replaced with Zoom boxes I still did the Beyonce bit this year.  Students still loved it and understood why it’s so important to show up and sit in front. I would argue it’s even more important now.  Sitting in front it’s different now. At the very least it’s making sure your camera is on. It’s making sure your Zoom name is accurately placed on the box not Tim’s “iphone” or your email address. For students right now Zoom etiquette is as essential as wearing a face mask. 

Countless studies continue to show that students who sit in the line of sight will do better.  I have read countless letters of recommendation for graduate school and for scholarships where professors have mentioned specifically that the student that they are recommending is always sitting in the front and always engaged.  Even the mere fact that the professor can see you has a halo effect.  

Ways to Sit in Front When You’re Online!

Good Posture Plays A Role
So how do you sit in front when you’re sitting in front of your computer screen?  Are you lying in bed in pajamas? Are you slouching?  Besides giving the wrong impression this is also an ergonomic faux pas. Be sure to have good posture, you’ll look better and you’ll feel better. 

Avoid The Fisheye Lens Approach.
Not only does it look foolish, it will probably strain your eyesight. Maintain good proximity from the screen and ideally viewers will see your head and your shoulders. 
 

Find Your Voice
If needed, invest in wireless headphones that include a microphone.  The only thing worse than speaking too low is speaking too LOUD.  You don’t want to be that person that sounds muffled. Speak clearly and confidently.  Even if you’re nervous chances are everyone else is to.  Practice speaking into the camera by yourself. Use your phone or video on your computer.  Record yourself if you have to.  You might notice that you use a lot of filler words such as “um” and “like”  if you’re from California like I am .  If you find yourself doing that, continue recording.  I guarantee that those Um’s and Ah’s will be gone like yesterday’s news.   

Use the Hand Raise Option on Zoom  
It’s inevitable that people will find themselves talking over each other during Zoom calls.  Be respectful and don’t be the person that talks over everyone.  If you’re already starting classes it’s likely that you’ve noticed that person.  Don’t be that person.  

Let Others Find their Voice, Too

When you’re not speaking put yourself mute on. This will help minimize background noise so that everyone can hear what the professor is saying.  Just be sure to take yourself off mute. 
Now get ready to be like Beyonce and “Run The World.”

Right now we may not be able to celebrate in the usual way but that doesn’t mean we can’t share the vibrant community of REU FInder Users. Were you accepted to an REU this summer? Were you awarded the NSF GRFP? Cool Internship this summer? We want to hear about it!! Help Change the Face of STEM by inspiring others. Fill out this short form and we’ll feature YOU on our Instagram page or in an upcoming post!!

Click here to submit your story
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Last week I started an REUFinder Instagram page. The plan is to use this page to let students know about REUFinder as a resource and to feature student experiences. I’d like to highlight student’s words of wisdom, accomplishments and to build community for students. I am looking for students who are willing to share their your wisdom, experiences, favorite mantras, or tips that they have for other students also pursuing STEM Field. Maybe you participated in an experience that you heard about through REUFinder. We’d love to hear from you!

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Thank you in advance for your support. I look forward to seeing your posts. : )

Good News. You just learned that you have received a scholarship or an award.
Maybe months ago you applied for this scholarship and since you haven’t hear back assumed that you were no longer in the running. But today you received the notification that you won the scholarship! With all that’s been going on in the last few months this glimmer of good news is a bright light on the horizon. The scholarship organization tells you that they’re delighted to give you this award and in order to receive it you need to formally accept it. They ask you for a headshot photo. Check! You’ve got your senior portrait or that brilliant headshot from your cousin’s wedding. They then ask you for a quote. Not a problem you’ve got a favorite quote that you’ve always used. They then as you for a bio! You panic. A Bio!! Not only do they want you to send them a Bio they want you to send it ASAP.

Use these Elements of a Bio to Easily Create Yours

WHO are You? Essentially your full name. It’s up to you whether or not you want to include your middle name. Also if you have a nickname you might want to include in parenthesis.

WHERE are you from? How you frame this is totally up to you. You might choose to say your from New York or The Bronx it’s completely up to you. However, remember that people like specifics, it makes your bio more memorable. It’s a bio and the point is for people to get to know you. If you’re from a small town you might say “Madera which is a small town in California’s Central Valley.”

WHAT have you done in high school or in college that you believe makes you stand out. Talk about something dynamic that you have done. Chances are this will be what you highlighted in the scholarship essays so feel free to include that in this section. This is not a time to be modest. Remember you’re writing this in third person so don’t worry you’re not going to sound conceited.

WHEN you graduate what do you plan to do after?  For example,  “After receiving (his/her) Bachelor’s degree in (name of major), (Your name) plans to work in (Dream job or industry).”  You can be general or you can be specific. Maybe you want to go to graduate school but don’t know specifically what you want to pursue. You can keep it general and say that you plan to attend graduate school OR if you know what you want to do you can be specific. “After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in (Major) (Your Name) plans to pursue a PhD in (Discipline) focusing on (Sub-discipline).

Some Examples
Discipline: Mechanical Engineering Subdiscipline: Robotics
Discipline: Electrical Engineering Subdiscipline: Integrated Circuits
Discipline: Materials Science Subdiscipline: Biomaterials

The WHY should be embedded into your bio.  Everyone has something that motivates them so talk about that. Not sure what that means well ask yourself WHY? Why are you pursuing this field? Why is this your dream job? What has motivated you to be in school and to pursue these interests.

Once you have answered the WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE and WHY you have all of the elements of your bio.

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Happy National Intern Day!   

Summer 2020 is a year like no other. According to a GitHub search more than 200 companies are hosting college interns remotely this summer. Board meetings are now replaced with virtual meetings likely using Zoom.

Check out our tips to maintain a professional image and maximize your Zoom presence in your virtual internships.

1) Use Your Name. Sometimes students will be joining Zoom using their laptops, phones or tablets. Make sure that your Zoom presence says your actual name and the not name of your device. Ideally use your first name and your last name. This makes it helpful specifically if there are others on your team with your same first name.

2) Turn on your camera. Always be sure that your video is on. Out of sight can mean out of mind and you WANT to be noticed during your internship.

3) Have a Zoom Profile Pic. There may be times that you need to turn your camera off so if you do be sure to have a profile picture. A headshot would be a good option.

How to set your profile pic: “Profile Settings. To access your Zoom profile, sign in to the Zoom web portal and click Profile. You can view and edit the following settings: Profile Picture: To add or change your profile picture, click Change, then adjust the crop area on your current picture or upload a new one.”

4) Include your Preferred Gender Pronoun after your name. You may notice that some colleagues will include their preferred gender pronoun in parenthesis after their name. Typically, you might see (he/her), (she/her) or (them/they). This makes it easy for others to know how you would like to be addressed it also promotes an inclusive workspace.

5) Use Zoom Backgrounds. If your workspace is a messy room or you’re surrounded by others in the background you might want to consider using a Zoom Background to maintain a professional image. Choose a background that looks professional and isn’t too pixelated. A quick Google search will show you a variety of options. Your Zoom Background should reflect your individual style but not overshadow you! Remember it’s a backdrop, you are the star so be sure you’re not distracting others by having animated backgrounds or even worse backgrounds that could be considered offensive in a professional setting.

6) Don’t forget the importance of good lighting. If you’re in a room that is dark be sure to either use a lamp or try and consider switching to a room with better lighting. Having a dark room is almost the same as not having your camera on since no one can see you.

7) Be sure you have a reliable computer during your internship. If you are interning remotely and are having trouble with sound or your connection let your supervisor know immediately. If you were in person your company would be providing a computer and internet so if you need these things remotely it’s not an unreasonable ask.

8) Dress for success. Even though you might roll out of bed and turn on your computer you don’t want to look that way. Unkept is unbecoming in the workplace even if it is a virtual workplace. Get up an extra half an hour and shower before you hop on Zoom. You’ll look better and feel better.

9) Good Ergonomics are important. Don’t hunch and ideally raise your computer so that the top of your laptop screen is in line with your eyebrows. Using a bunch of textbooks under your laptop is a perfect hack if you don’t have a moveable desk. Long hours in an uncomforable chair will take its toll after a while. If you can invest in an office chair but if that’s not an option put pillows on your chair to support your lower back.

So you’re starting college in the fall whether it be as a first year student, a community college transfer student, or a graduate student you’re likely checking your new school email frequently or should we say you should be checking your email frequently.  With that in mind, this is a great opportunity to start out your communications in a professional way. This will also give your email recipients some context particularly when you are emailing someone for the first time.   Here are some examples that you might consider based on your preferences.  Also, if you have not yet picked your school email address be sure to choose wisely as that’s something you’ll be stuck with for years, literally.  

If your legal name is different than your preferred nick name you might also include in your email signature.

Now that summer has officially begin for most students this is a great time to check out some new YouTube Channels created for students by students.   

The Tech Twins

Twin brothers Andrew and Mark Ansell have put together a YouTube Channel appropriately titled “The Tech Twins.”  Both Andrew and Mark double majored in Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration at the University of California at Berkeley.  During their time at Berkeley they interned at top tech companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Tesla.  Their channel has a wealth of interviews and resources for students everything from creating resumes and obtaining internships to giving a glimpse into what it’s like to Study Abroad.  Whether you’re studying Business or Engineering you’ll definitely want to subscribe and learn from their experiences in the tech world.  Check it out!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCje1SKm6cgYUl6UVhIKDklQ

Imari Walker Karega

Analytical Chemist, Environmental Engineer and Duke PhD student Imari Walker Karega has created a brand new YouTube channel that combines “Education, Weekly Inspiration, and Science.”  Subscribe to Imari’s channel if you’re a high school student looking for advice on applying to colleges, an undergraduate interested in obtaining a PhD or just plain interested in science. If you’re the latter you’ll love her episode on Microplastics. Tune in to hearing about Imari’s journey to the Doctorate and her words of wisdom.  
Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoiqwAaGW6-xANs3XOCO_Pg

KANOA COOK

Recent Chemical Engineering graduate Kanoa Cook has created a YouTube Channel that combines everything from his experience transferring from a community to a university to learning more about vaccines. As an undergraduate student Kanoa interned at top pharmaceutical companies such as Amgen and participated in REU at Louisiana State University and the University of California at San Diego. Subscribers will enjoy Kanoa’s upcoming videos. 
Check it Out! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLtS-YP_vVDIUYLPdoqC8Eg

Alexis Loveraz

Worried that your little brothers and sisters are spending too much time on TikTok?  Don’t worry Alexis Loveraz aka the “Tik Tok tutor” is using his math skills to tutor kids in mathematics and chemistry.  This sixteen year old’s channel is not only entertaining but can save families a ton of money on test prep courses for standardized tests such as the SAT. Check him out on TikTok and YouTube!

Alex on Tik Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@alexis_loveraz?lang=en
Alex on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrSnrRLky7PazHB39grCP6Q

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