Co-curricular experiences such as internships, volunteer opportunities, and undergraduate research are an integral part of the undergraduate academic program. They provide insight into career paths, job-specific training, and the chance to begin developing a professional network. Students in CMNS have a wealth of opportunities in faculty research laboratories on campus, or with the wide range of federal laboratories, research institutes, and private companies in the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
University of Maryland students have the best of both worlds.
On campus, you have opportunities to do undergraduate research in world-class laboratories under the mentorship of renowned faculty researchers.
If you choose to go off campus, you are a short commute away from one of the nation’s largest concentrations of companies, federal research labs and research hospitals. Most students do more than one internship during their undergraduate years.
Finding a Faculty Research Mentor
Finding a Faculty Research Mentor
Finding a suitable research experience takes some work on your part.
Here are the usual steps:
1. Browse through descriptions of each faculty member's research to identify several potential mentors who are doing research that matches your own intellectual interests and career goals. Here are some places to start:
- College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
Keep in mind that scientific research transcends traditional departmental boundaries, so a broad search strategy is helpful. For example, students interested in life sciences research can expand their search to include faculty in these departments:
- College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
- College of Behavioral and Social Sciences
- School of Public Health
- Clark School of Engineering
2. Ask around
- Your current and past professors may be accepting students or know of any colleagues who are
- Your academic advisor might know of mentors who would be a good match for your interests
3. Contact potential mentors (email is usually best, but stopping by their labs or offices is also okay) to determine whether they are interested in having you join their research program. In your first contact with potential faculty mentors, you should tell them:
- Your year (e.g., sophomore)
- Your GPA
- Any relevant research or laboratory experience you already have
- Your general research interests or goals (Try not to be too specific with your interests, as you are unlikely to find a perfect match. Keep in mind that you can gain valuable transferable skills even when the subject of your research is quite different from what you ultimately hope to investigate.)
4. Plan to meet with each potential faculty mentor in person, tour their lab and speak to other students in the lab (both graduate and undergraduate) before making a final decision
5. After you have decided upon which research opportunity is best for you, it’s a good idea to make an explicit agreement with your mentor that specifies:
- How much time you will spend in the lab
- The days and hours you will work
- Your responsibilities
If you wish to receive academic credit for your work, you should then contact the Coordinating Advisor or Undergraduate Program Director in the department to which your faculty mentor belongs. Each faculty member has a specific course and section number for undergraduate research, and each department has its own procedures for registering for credit.
More Structured Programs Include:
- The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program – designed to prepare students who are primarily from low-income, first-generation and traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue doctoral studies. Full-time University juniors and seniors who wish to pursue doctoral studies, enhance their skills to prepare for graduate study, and participate in undergraduate research with faculty members are eligible.
- Departmental Honors Programs – offered in each department. These are typically four semester programs, with students applying in the spring of their sophomore year or fall of their junior year. Students work under the supervision of a faculty mentor to design and carry out an independent research project, which culminates in a formal defense of the research. Students receive academic credit for their research that can be applied toward their degree requirements, participate in honors seminars and, upon completion of the program, graduate "With Honors".
Funding for on-campus research
Many students, especially those who are new to research, volunteer their time or receive academic credit. However, there are some sources of financial support:
- Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program offers a summer research stipend, room and board, professional development workshops and the opportunity to attend research conferences.
- Honors Research Grant, sponsored by the University Honors College, consists of a $500 award that can be used to defray research expenses of students enrolled in Departmental Honors programs.
- Faculty research grants (at the discretion of the faculty mentor).
- Federal work study: A small number of laboratory positions are usually available to those who qualify.
Finding an Internship
The Washington D.C. area provides our students the opportunity to participate in research internships at federal research centers, research hospitals, and companies. Some internships offer a stipend or hourly wage, while others are unpaid. In some cases, if the internship has a strong academic component, it is possible to earn academic credit for an internship experience.
Finding the perfect internship requires a combination of luck, determination, and ingenuity. It's best to use a variety of strategies.
Keep your eyes open
- Subscribe to CMNS Undergrad News
- Consult with Peer Mentors (1317 Symons Hall)
- Visit the University Career Center (3rd floor, Hornbake Library)
- Check out the bulletin boards in academic buildings
Network
- Create your own personal network of friends, professors, teaching assistants, and academic/career advisors. Many openings are never advertised widely because they are quickly filled by word of mouth.
- Be sure to visit campus career fairs (see the Career Center's website for dates of upcoming fairs)
Search online
- University Career Center: provides career counseling, maintains resources on career planning and job hunting, sponsors information sessions and workshops, and assists with internship, part-time and full-time job placement.
- Handshake: 24-hour access to job and internship listings, resume referral, on-campus interviewing, and updates on employer events.
- International Internships: GoAbroad.com and StudyAbroad.com have comprehensive listings of programs and resources.
Tips for locating specific types of opportunities
On-campus research
- The University of Maryland Office of Undergraduate Research website has links to a variety of on-campus research opportunities and resources
Off-campus research
- Check out the JIFSAN internship program, a collaboration between our campus and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
- The National Institutes of Health sponsors many research internship programs. See the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education website for more details.
- Search for National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) summer internships.
Clinical/Health Care
- Become a Campus Health Center Peer Educator.
- The Health Professions Advising Office lists a wide variety of extracurricular experiences in the health professions, including clinical opportunities, summer programs, volunteer opportunities, and international internships. Be sure to sign up for their mailing list!
- The Leadership and Community Service Learning Office connects students to opportunities in many fields, including health care.
Non-profit Organizations and Community Service
- Leadership and Community Service Learning Office has gathered a large number of resources to assist students, faculty, and staff in finding service opportunities. These resources can be found on their website or by visiting Suite 1110 in Stamp Student Union.
- Search for volunteer and internship opportunities in the U.S. and abroad on the Idealist website.
Contact
For questions about internships, contact:
University Career Center @ CMNS
cmnscareers@umd.edu
For questions about research, contact: