Internships Can Change Your Life

This year marks my sixth year overseeing the SPS Summer Internship program. We bring undergraduate students from across the country and international students to the Washington, DC, area. These students work in various positions and emphases, including research at NIST , NASA , and the Space Telescope Science Institute; science policy on Capitol Hill; and education and outreach, science writing, history, careers, and diversity, equity, and inclusion for professional societies—all under the umbrella of physics and astronomy.

Each summer our interns write about their experiences through weekly blogs. They discuss their day-to-day job responsibilities, experiences with SPS programs, professional development, extracurricular activities, and the relationships they build with their peers. Through the relationships I’ve built with many interns and by reading their blogs, several themes have emerged that highlight the value of students participating in internships (including research experiences):

1 – Networking

Your internship is a prime opportunity to network. You will meet many professionals in your field of interest, whether on the job, through activities and events, or through interactions with your fellow interns. Be intentional about the relationships you build and have a plan to stay in contact (e.g., LinkedIn)—you never know how you can be a resource to each other in the future.

2 – Gaining Experience

Internships are jobs. You are part of the team, gaining real-world experience. Your internship contributes to your professional profile and gives you an advantage when applying for future positions or graduate school.

3 – Finding Your Place

Internships are an opportunity to discover your interests. You may start your program with a clear career goal but leave with different aspirations. That’s okay! Even if you realize a particular path isn’t for you, the experience is still valuable.

4 – Finding Community and Sense of Belonging

This is perhaps the most common theme I’ve seen among the SPS interns. The relationships built among the cohort, colleagues, staff members, and mentors last a lifetime. Many interns also express a sense of belonging, which is especially important for people from communities traditionally underrepresented in physics and astronomy. You might start with imposter syndrome but leave knowing you are valued and belong in the room just as much as anyone else.

As you look to apply for an internship or if you have already been accepted to one, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

This is a Learning Experience

You don’t have to know everything; we understand that you are students. This is the time to absorb knowledge from your mentors and colleagues. Leverage the skills you already have and be open to mastering new ones.

Don’t Underestimate Your Skills

Your undergraduate experience has provided you with more skills than you might realize. When preparing for interviews, highlight the skills you’ve developed from classwork, research projects, professional meetings, presentations, group work, campus volunteering, outreach, and even extracurricular activities. It all counts.

You Get What You Put In

Make the most of your time—the weeks pass by quickly. Take every opportunity to gain skills you may not get elsewhere. Participate in all professional development activities offered and, most importantly, have fun! Explore the city you’re in.

Be Your Biggest Advocate

Speak up about your goals for the summer. Many mentors will modify projects around their interns’ interests, but that might not happen if you don’t express them. Don’t be afraid to ask—the worst they can say is no.

Internships are invaluable experiences that provide more than just practical skills—they offer a unique opportunity to explore your career interests, build a professional network, and develop a sense of community and belonging. By immersing yourself in real-world environments, you can build relationships and gain experiences that have a lasting impact, fostering personal and professional growth that extends well beyond the internship period. Ultimately, internships are crucial stepping stones that equip you with the tools, confidence, and connections necessary to succeed in your professional journey.

Be an SPS Summer Intern

The SPS internship program offers 10-week, paid positions for undergraduate physics and astronomy students in science research, education, outreach, and policy. Interns are placed with organizations in the greater Washington, DC, area. Applications open November 1 and close January 15 each year. Learn more and read former intern blogs at spsnational.org/programs/internships .