Securing a STEM internship takes research, resources and time, so here is some useful information to get you started.
According to the Higher Education Authority, roughly 30pc of Irish students who enter into third-level education are studying STEM, making it a competitive field in which opportunities can be harder to access.
For those who want to get ahead, an internship, either during the summer months or upon graduation, can be an ideal way to gain first-hand experience, develop your network and maybe even start to put down roots in what could become a permanent position.
So, how can you secure a reputable internship position, with the potential to hard launch your professional life?
Don’t leap before you look
Before jumping into the nitty gritty, it’s first important to note that internships come in all different shapes and sizes. Some offer more money than others, some will have greater opportunities career-wise towards the end and all should give you the skills you need to go out into the world and find an organisation that matches your ambitions.
It can be tempting to jump at any opportunity that presents itself, especially in a field that is as competitive and innovative as STEM can be, but don’t let yourself be taken advantage of either, as certain organisations will jump at the chance to exploit free labour. If you are willing to work for very little or even nothing, because the benefits at the end outweigh the lack of compensation, then that’s your prerogative.
But make sure you don’t find yourself in a situation towards the end of the programme where you are walking away having made no money, connections or contributions to the STEM field. Because this is essentially being back at square one.
Get your ducks in a row
One of the top tips when reviewing potential internships is to write down everything that you expect to gain from and give to the experience.
For example, the length of time you can contribute, how you want to be compensated, the area of research you want to be involved in, a particular professional you would like as a mentor and the lab or institution you would most like to be associated with and so on.
For some requirements, you may be flexible, but there may be two or three that for you are non-negotiable, so once you have those checked off, it makes the decision-making process far simpler.
Additionally, if you are looking to study or work in a foreign country, make sure that you have all of the correct documents ready to go, as a failure to present them when needed could hold up or even derail the application process.
Build your professional avatar
In the modern era, for better or worse, our online personas are an extension of ourselves, so you better make sure that yours is professional. One of the best ways to catch the attention of a lab or institution during the application process is to showcase your abilities, achievements and ambitions, via a well-designed and thought-out digital portfolio.
This should include any projects you contributed to, scientific research that was published or may be published in the future, relevant educational achievements and credentials, a robust list of your hard and soft skills and any other accolades or educational highlights that help you stand out.
The trick is to keep it relevant and concise, while not omitting anything that could be of note. If it doesn’t pertain to the internship you hope to earn, take it out. If you are active online it can help to draw a line between the two personas and have separate personal and professional accounts.
Don’t rest on your laurels
The application process for a STEM internship can be drawn out, as it takes time to vet candidates and get to the interviewing stage. That time can be put to better use though. Why not add to your list of skills or credentials while you wait to hear back?
Not only does this show that you are motivated and a high achiever, it also greatly adds to your skills, makes you more appealing to internship figure heads and if you are unsuccessful, it adds to your CV so you might be in with a better shot when the time comes.
Part-time courses, micro-credentials, online tutorials, networking and industry events, are all great ways to build up your skills and show that you are determined to make an impact in the STEM space.
Don’t be shy
There can be the mentality that it is unfair to leverage connections to secure a place on a coveted programme, but if you have the skills and are the right person for the role, reach out to as many associates as you can and let them know you are interested. Opportunities can come and go in an instant and if you have an in, you should use it.
You can develop your network by staying in touch with educational mentors, by joining skill building groups and signing up to online communities. You could also consider volunteering your time to a lab, but again, make sure it is of benefit to you and not a means of attaining cheap labour by the institution.
STEM internships are an ideal way for students and graduates to enter into the workforce with the skills needed to thrive. So, if you are thinking of applying for one, heed this list and best of luck.
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