Decoding summer research internships
Come Spring, and starts off the season of applications for summer research internships in India. Students brush through their profiles, create resumes and SoP(s), all for that one dream research internship in their field of interest.
With programmes like SPARK receiving more than 10000 applications, these are quite popular among undergrads, undoubtedly. We analyze the anatomy of the application process, work, and impact on your professional/academic life ahead in this post.
What exactly does a research internship mean?
In most cases, research internships are a brief period during the inter-semester breaks at institutions when Professors are free from taking classes, and thus completely devote their time to research work. It is during this time that they are assisted by research scholars to make the research proceedings productive. The timing being a sweet spot for both Professors and students, it becomes an ideal duration for inquisitive undergrads (and, in some cases postgrads too) to work under such Professors on very interesting projects and assist them in their research work.
What exactly does a research intern do?
Summer research interns work on projects assigned by their respective mentors(read, Professors). These could be ongoing projects, future paper publications, or a study for a cause. Since research internships can range from subjects like computer sciences to humanities, the scope of work is very diverse and contextual to the mentor/project you are working with.
How long does a research internship last?
Research internships could last anywhere from a few weeks to 3 months depending on the scope of an intern’s work and goals.
How does one prepare for a summer research internship?
A very common misconception about research internships is that it should only be pursued by those who wish to pursue a career in research ahead. This is untrue. Research internships are a time of self-discovery and teach you life skills like collaboration in an academic setting.
Prior research experience is always preferred but not mandatory. The best way to showcase one’s interest is to have relevant projects in the field of research where one wants to work. Since applicants are mostly undergrads and have little-to-no research done before, grades play a very important role in shortlisting. Having a high GPA often helps you stand out for a research internship.
Team InternClick has hunted the web, and we’ve found more than 15 summer research internships this year. (Some links might not have been updated yet, so please keep an eye.)
NIT Durgapur, Dept. of Biotechnology
Best wishes for your research internship!
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