Non-BUILD Summer Research Programs

BUILD EXITO is going to provide support and mentoring to BUILD Scholars interested in non-BUILD Summer Research programs. This page will have information on summer research programs and the support BUILD is providing. 

What are Summer Research Programs 

• Competitive 8-10 week paid internship that provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to engage in an immersive research intensive experience during the summer

• Summer research programs are specifically designed to teach you how to think scientifically, design experiments, troubleshoot, and solve problems. 

• Often provides a stipend and/or housing expenses

What are the Benefits of Summer Research Programs

• This opportunity to go away to another institution will not only benefit you as you experience travel and expand your knowledge of research, but it also has the potential to benefit your RLC because of the specialized training in research skills applicable to your lab’s work.

• Explore different fields of interest to you.

• Make valuable connections with faculty-build your network and get another letter of recommendation for graduate or professional school

• Build your peer-support network through working with other undergraduates, graduate and postdoc scholars who can serve as peer mentors on your path.

• Enjoy travel, make new friends, and have fun while you learn and gain research experience!

• Promotes interest in and understanding of graduate education

• Develops critical thinking, creativity, problem solving, self confidence, and intellectual independence

How to identify an external summer research experience

There are a variety of opportunities!  Ask yourself these questions:

• What do I want to focus on this summer?A method? Research on a particular science focus?  Research at a particular place?

• Do I want to use this experience to help me get into a graduate program?

• Do I want to do research at a specific location where I might want to go to graduate school?

• Do I want to aim at the most prestigious program or is it more important to have an experience that will be focused and fulfilling?

• Am I willing to go anywhere?  Or am I realistically place bound?

• Do I want to experience something truly different than my RLC that my test a new interest?

Resources

List of summer research programs we are aware of