Internships
In your time as an undergraduate, we encourage you to seek out internships, research projects, and other physics-related work experience. A few options you might consider:
Physics and Astronomy Faculty
Speak to about getting involved in research. All majors are encouraged to engage in research during their undergraduate career. Find out a little about each professors’ research interests. If something interests you, ask if they have an opening on their research team. Depending on availability of grant funding, you may even get paid for your work.
Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) Programs
Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) programs are becoming increasingly popular for physics Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. There are increasing numbers of them throughout the U.S. They are typically around 10 weeks in length, often during the summer months. Most programs include a healthy stipend, room and board, and even travel funds. They are often both academically and socially rewarding, and can give you a leg-up in finding employment, or being accepted into graduate school. In general, you will have the best chance to earn an REU after your sophomore or junior year, but you should apply any year you are interested and available!
Databases for Identifying REU’s
And you are always welcome to stop by Mark Reiser's office, in CHCB 120, to see a collected list of advertised programs.
UM Internship Resources
UM provides a number of internship services for its Ñý¼§Ö±²¥.
- : Provides resources and contacts for specific internship opportunities.
- Handshake: An excellent resource for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥! (replaces "Griz e-Recruiting") Log-in using your NetID / password, and create your Handshake account and profile. Upload as many version of your resume as you'd like, and search internship postings tailored to your major, background, and interests. All postings are directly from companies seeking UM Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. Cheryl Minnick is our local guru in Handshake; contact her at cheryl.minnick@mso.umt.edu.
- : Explore other options for outside-the-classroom experiences.
Montana Resources
: A database of Montana-specific postings from high-tech and manufacturing-based companies. Check this database often, as there are over 100 member businesses that post here.
Federal Resources
: Can search for federal internship opportunies
NASA
: NASA's portal for internship opportunities and applications. Their "One Stop Shopping Initiative." For a bit more background on how to utilize this website, please see .
Local Opportunities
If a local business or company sounds intriguing to you, stop in and introduce yourself.Ask about the possibility of being an intern for them. A substantial number of internships are created for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ who network and express interest in working for a company. It can be as easy as stopping in to introduce yourself!
