https://orise.orau.gov/dod

ORISE DOE Programs

Research Scientist

June - August 2021 • Los Alamos, NM

What I liked

I thoroughly enjoyed the hands on experience and exposure to R&D in a professional setting. I couldn't have had a better experience with the supportive community of scientists and engineers.

What I wish was different

I wish that the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) would expand their program awareness to additional research and development laboratories.

Advice

My advice would be to ask questions and meet as many people as possible. Working in fast paced and large laboratories allows student interns to meet professionals from diverse backgrounds.
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Epidemiologist Intern

June - August 2019 • Edgewood, MD

What I liked

The exposure to the field and the opportunity to work with military personnel on health reports

What I wish was different

Advice

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Research Intern

June - August 2019 • Fort Sam Houston, TX

What I liked

This experience taught me a lot about the field of scientific research, gave me a couple abstract publications, and connected me with a community that I respect.

What I wish was different

I wish that the experience could have been longer, and that there were opportunities offered to return; however, given that this was done through a government contract to a U.S. Army institution, the process was a lot more complicated.

Advice

Do not be afraid to make mistakes. There will be many opportunities to learn from them and do better the next time. Granted, if you make mistakes, do your best not to make them again!
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Intern in the Small Satellite Laboratory at the Naval Postgraduate School

May - August 2019 • Monterey, CA

What I liked

I had interned in the same lab the previous summer, so I enjoyed coming back to the same group again and continuing work on projects I had started the previous summer. My mentors were incredibly helpful and I learned more about incorporating stem knowledge into hands-on research projects with a real-world impact.

What I wish was different

I had previously done the same internship through a different employer a year prior, but it was changed to ORISE this summer, so there were delays in the process.

Advice

Definitely take full advantage of any internship and take initiative in getting projects done. Depending on the company you intern at, you may be left relatively unsupervised, so how much you learn is up to you. Take advantage of the knowledge and experience of those around you and learn as much as you can.
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Engineering intern

May - August 2019 • Oak Ridge, TN

What I liked

I liked being able to go and interact with people in my desired field.

What I wish was different

Advice

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