Workshop on Applying to Oak Ridge National Lab

1. Workshop on Applying to Oak Ridge National Lab Dr. Andrienne Friedli afriedli@mtsu.edu 898-2071

2. Information About: • Why do a summer internship? • What is an ORNL internship like? • When to get started - NOW! • (or if it is past December, yesterday!) • What is required to be successful?

3. Recent ORNL / MTSU Internships Summer 2006: 4 student and 2 faculty internships. Fall 2007: Meetings at ORNL and MTSU Summer 2008: 13 student interns, 2 faculty, 2 visitors Summer 2009: 3 students, one faculty Summer 2010: 6 students, one faculty, two visitors Summer 2011: 3 students, one faculty, one visitor We would like to send 20 students this year! Take the opportunity!

4. The ORNL Research Experience • Build technical skills • State of the art instrumentation • Cutting edge research projects • Top researchers Scientific mentors

5. Real World Science “My experience was a success and worth every moment I spent away from MTSU. I call on every MTSU student to fill out an application to do an internship at ORNL. Ramy Sayed (Biology, pre-med) I’m applying again this summer! Charysse Archer (Mathematics) HERE@ORNL, 2008

6. A Opportunity to Learn • Attend seminars and workshops • Write a scientific abstract - publish in a journal • Present at a poster session • Learn about careers • Attend a graduate school fair Robert Ehemann (Physics)- SULI Jeremy Tiegs (Geosciences)

7. Transfer to the Classroom • Learn teaching techniques • Relate research experience to classroom experience Gail Hayes, Chemistry Teacher BS Chem ’08, ORNL ’07 (PST) Paul Turner, Physics ’11 ORNL STAR(PST) ‘10

8. Have Fun! • In the Laboratory • Outside the Laboratory

9. What Program is Best 4U? • Undergraduate students SULI, HERE@ORNL, PST Apply to both • Between ug and grad school, job HERE@ORNL • Graduate students HERE@ORNL • Faculty HERE@ORNL FEBRUARY 1 DEADLINE

10. http://see.orau.org How to Apply? SULI (undergrad) applications at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/suli/WDTS (pre- and in-service teachers) applications at http://science.energy.gov/wdts/ OR internships for anyone: recent grads, graduate students short-term visitors….. HERE@ORNL program Flexible deadline - requires more contact with staff – possibly http://www.orau.gov/hereatornl

11. The Bottom Line • 10 Weeks • Stipend paid monthly or bi-weekly $425 /week • Reimbursement for inbound and outbound transportation up to $500 • Housing allowance or contract housing $105/week SULI due January 10, 2012 WDTS due January 3, 2012 HERE@ORNL has a more flexible deadline

12. Criteria for Selection • Academic background • Interests • Grades • Career goals • Your enthusiasm • Good match Andy Standley (BS. 2010 Chem, Bio, HERE@ORNL ‘10)

13. *A Successful Application* 1. Evidence of ability Grades >3.0 GPA Recommendation letter Experience 2. Personal statements Research interests Career plans attention to detail is critical Ask your mentor/prof for feedback 3. Depth of interest contact ORNL staff express general enthusiasm

14. Preparation 4. Recommendation letters • 1 page or more with details • Discuss academic, research experience • Potential as a scientist Choose a faculty member you know well who is knowledgeable about research Give the recommender a resume & talk to them Ask for two recommendations NOW – they need ~2 weeks to respond 5. Experience • STEM courses • Research experience Take advantage of the multiple opportunities to do projects at MTSU first, if possible

15. SULI is a very competitive internship – • only 67 positions available/ summer. • This application takes a few days to • complete and perfect - like an • application for employment or grad school. • Take advantage of available help – your • teachers and other staff will read your state- • ment and write letters of support. • You are representing MTSU as an • applicant (complete your application) • and as an intern (do a good job!) Wake Up Call!

16. Do Your Homework 6. Career Plans and Goals - short and long Must choose 3 research areas of interest: • Biology • Chemistry • Computer Science • Energy • Engineering • Environmental Sciences • Geology • Life Sciences Manufacturing • Materials Science 7. Contacts at ORNL (the hard part - but important) Contact a few people, and mention it in your application Name, Division/Department, Phone Email Ask for help it you need it www.ornl.gov • Math/Statistics • Neutron Scattering • Nuclear Physics • Physics • Robotics • Social Science • Waste Management/Remediation

17. Science and Engineering Missions at ORNL • Neutron Science • Energy • Advanced Materials (Nanoscale) • Biological Systems • Supercomputing • National Security www.ornl.gov

18. Directorates at ORNL www.ornl.gov Press on buttons to find directorates and divisions Find projects, people Watch out for user centers (not ORNL projects) • Biological and Environmental Sciences • Computer and Computational Sciences • Physical Sciences • Environmental Health, Safety, and Quality • Nuclear Operations • Energy and Engineering Sciences • National Security

19. Finally…… Complete your application! Questions: afriedli@mtsu.edu 898-2071 Good Luck!