If you want to be a planetary scientist, you should probably figure out whether you enjoy research and have a talent for it. Undergraduate research is a great way to discover both, while also boosting your chances of landing internships and strengthening your resume and future applications. It is also a great way to figure out what type of research you enjoy, whether that is fieldwork, lab work (wet or dry), programming, mapping, or something else.
In my experience, my internships and undergraduate research were more important for getting into graduate school than my GPA. That said, I also found professors who valued those experiences more than my GPA.
Ask around your department, and pay attention to flyers and department emails advertising research positions. Many universities have offices of undergraduate research, and programs like the Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) can also help you find opportunities.
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Citation Chaining Technique
Find a relevant paper, then check what papers it cited, then check what papers has cited it
Check other papers from that author
Connected papers (Shows related papers. Useful for literature reviews)
Can show you seminal works and new relevant studies
Before it was free- but it seems like you can use it in incognito mode unlimited times
University or college library
Check the library catalog to see what is readily available
Institutional libraries subscribe to many databases and journals where articles are available for free access
If your library does not have the paper you need, use interlibrary loan
This service allows you to request specific papers or books from other libraries, usually at no cost
Need research help? Contact your library research help desk, also known as “ask a librarian” or reference desk
Many universities offer live chat during business hours with librarians for research assistance
Support may also be available in person, by phone, or by email
There are so many papers to reference, don't type the citations manually or wait till the end. This is a big part of staying organized and using time efficiently. Figure out which you prefer, or if your advisor has a preference. Here are the two I always hear about. Which ever you choose, make sure it works with the word processor you work with.
Check your own local, state, university groups. Below is Kansas groups
Professional Organizations sometimes have funding
PIVOT- a website that compiles funding opportunities
You might be able to get an account for free through your university
Warning, these sites are not always super easy to navigate. There is this pdf by Jamie Molaro called Finding & Using Data that might be helpful.
NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS)
Use Python Soup package to help retrieve data
HiRISE Pictures- Mars
Use JMARS to find the location you want, get the index IDs, then the HiRISE database
http://vizier.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/VizieR
Database of astronomical objects (RA, Dec, mag, etc.)
https://minorplanetcenter.net/data
Data on orbits of asteroids
Internships are a great way to build your resume. You get to network, do research, potentially present your research. Internships can lead to jobs. I personally think internships are the easiest way to help your career. That being said, they are also hard to get. This is not an exhaustive list by any means. It is worth noting that many internships are actually gotten by cold emailing a mentor and asking for a job.
One you have research you can then present it! Usually you will write an abstract, the length might vary but frequently between 100-300 words, unless it is a Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) abstract which is usually 1-2 pages with figures and references. After your abstract is submitted and accepted then its could be selected for an Oral talk usually 10-20 minutes, or a poster.
Places you can present:
Department Alumni and other University Events
Annual or Regional Conferences (Read Below)
Sci Comm (informal communication to a general public)
Conferences are a great way to showcase your work and network. You can meet collaborators, peers, future employers, future advisors, and more. By the way, more planetary scientists attend AGU than GSA, but at the undergraduate level, any conference you attend will be very beneficial. There is a US planetary conference, more on that below. Generally speaking there, are three types of meetings: annual meetings, regional meetings, and specialized meetings.
Annual meetings are every year, typically in a different location, these are the biggest conferences you’ll go to, they have so many different types of sessions going on, even some of the fringe science. They usually have an organization to join. Also usually the most expensive, besides some of the specialized meetings.
Regional meetings are for nation/continent wide organizations that are so big they make smaller conferences. Usually cheaper. These are pretty relaxed environments, great for student presenters, in my opinion. Though most regional meetings do not have planetary science, so you might be the most interesting presenter. Great for building confidence.
Specialized meetings. These normally have a very specific topic, and usually very small. They can be annual, every few years, or a one time thing. There are some meetings in the planetary world that are becoming annual, but I still consider them under these special categories because they are so small and you do not have to be a part of an organization to attend. I think that specialized meetings are the best for networking. The Lunar and Planetary institute runs quite a lot of specialized meetings (some are virtual and free).
Lunar and Planetary Scientific Conference (Annual)
It is also worth noting that the traditional U.S. planetary science meeting, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC), is being boycotted. It has been for the past few years, but the boycott has grown. LPSC has always been held in Texas, specifically in The Woodlands. It is an expensive meeting and is held in a state with many policies that make BIPOC and LGBTQ+ individuals feel highly unsafe.
LPSC has traditionally served as a planetary science archive. The two-page abstracts are citable and are considered grey literature. Citing conference abstracts is not common practice in most fields, but it is fairly common in planetary science. In 2025, LPSC removed past abstracts that mentioned DEI, which was a huge breach of trust to the planetary community. In addition, in January 2026, LPSC announced that it would reject any abstract submitted to the 2026 meeting if it was determined to conflict with Trump administration policy.
Geological Society of America Meetings (Annual and Regional)
American Geophysical Union Meetings (Annual and Specialized)
American Astronomical Society Meeting (Annual and Specialized)
American Chemical Society Meetings (Annual and Regional)
AbGradCon and AbSciCon
LunGradCon (Grad Only, Lunar and Small Bodies)
Good for getting feedback on presentations and presenting in low-pressure
Sometimes your advisor has a grant that can cover your travel expenses. Also check with your department, college, and university. For example, look for travel grants through the Graduate College, the College of Arts and Sciences, or whichever college your department belongs to, as well as university-wide funding opportunities. Some conferences also offer volunteer positions that can help offset registration or travel costs. You will need to google for volunteer opportunities at each conference.
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