Semester approaching and contemplating a research internship for summer? Begin your exploration now!
Summer is not just a time for relaxation and travel for Princeton students. It's also a season for gaining valuable hands-on experience through summer internships. This article will introduce some popular Princeton summer internship programs that focus on research, community service, and professional development.
Derian Summer Internship in Community-Engaged Scholarship
The Derian Summer Internship in Community-Engaged Scholarship supports undergraduates in assisting faculty with scholarly projects that involve research and teaching in collaboration with community partners. This program, which runs for 6 to 8 weeks during the summer, combines academic research with community engagement. Applications open in January, with positions posted from December through spring. (Source)
Princeton in Asia (PiA) Summer Internships
PiA offers summer internships that often emphasize leadership, inclusion, and community engagement. For instance, a Princeton student recently interned at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) in Hiroshima. These internships provide professional development opportunities in international contexts, combining research, program organization, and community involvement. (Source)
International Internship Program (IIP) and Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS)
Two other popular Princeton internship programs are the International Internship Program (IIP) and the Princeton Internships in Civic Service (PICS). The IIP program offers internship placements in over fifty countries and supports Princetonians living and working abroad. PICS, on the other hand, focuses on community service and provides stipends for students to pursue opportunities domestically and internationally.
Finding Other Opportunities
Princeton’s Center for Career Development lists many other summer internships related to research, arts, entertainment, and professional development. For example, the Princeton University Art Museum offers eight-week summer internships to undergraduates interested in arts and culture, which facilitate professional growth.
In addition to the programs mentioned above, Health Professions Advising offers internships linked to pre-professional centers on campus. It's also worth noting that there are a variety of internships offered by numerous departments or certificate programs beyond PICS and IIP.
Preparing Application Materials
The Center for Career Development can help with preparing application materials for internships, including cover letters and resumes. They can also connect you with other potential opportunities.
In summary, undergraduates seeking summer internships at Princeton with a focus on research, community service, and professional development may explore the Derian Summer Internship for community-engaged research, PiA summer programs for global and leadership-oriented opportunities, and utilize the University’s Career Center to identify many other internships tailored to their interests.
Remember, the application deadlines for programs like the Derian Summer Internship and the ReMatch+ summer program are early February, while the IIP application opens early November and is due early December. For a comprehensive list of different internship programs and funding sources, visit the Office of Undergraduate Research site.
Undergraduate research is an essential part of Princeton's summer internship programs, such as the Derian Summer Internship in Community-Engaged Scholarship that offers undergraduates opportunities to collaborate with faculty on research projects while engaging with community partners. Additionally, undergraduates interested in learning and growing through online education can consider it as a lifelong-learning resource, like exploring various internships listed by Princeton's Center for Career Development.
