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Below is an e-mail snippet about a paid internship opportunity in Science Policy this summer in Washington D.C.  To qualify you must be a member of a group “underrepresented in (science, technology engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines” and you must be a STEM major.  STS itself is not obviously a STEM major, but if you have a second major in something like engineering, biology or chemistry, you would be perfect to apply, and it may be that an STS major with appropriate STEM background would be considered.  If you are interested in this opportunity, we can try to confirm whether you meet the requirements to send in an application.  Here’s the e-mail:

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From Shirley McBay, President of QEM Network

This is an early alert regarding a Science Policy-focused Summer Internship Program (SSIP) conducted by the Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF).  Attached you will find an application packet we would like you to share with your graduate and undergraduate students from groups underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), particularly, but not limited to, students interested in pursuing careers in science policy or science education. Also, you will find attached a flyer describing this summer internship opportunity. We ask that you download and post the flyer on your departmental bulletin board to further ensure that students are aware of these opportunities.

The ten-week, Washington, DC-based internship (May 27–August 1, 2014) is made possible through a grant to the QEM  Network from NSF. Students who successfully complete the internship will receive a taxable stipend, $3,000 for undergraduates and $4,000 for graduate students, paid in three installments over the course of the summer. The students also will receive housing at George Washington University with other QEM interns as well as round-trip airfare and ground travel reimbursement.

During the internship, students will have an opportunity to: (1) increase their understanding of how science policy is made; (2) further develop their potential for becoming leaders and proponents of increased participation in science and engineering by students from underrepresented minority groups; (3) become knowledgeable about potential/actual barriers preventing minority students from receiving a high quality mathematics/science education; and (4) become familiar with policies, programs, and strategies being implemented to address such issues. The students also will strengthen their research, communications, and other professional skills, and develop a peer network that includes QEM summer interns from across the country.

A student who wishes to participate in the internship must currently be a STEM major at an accredited institution and have successfully completed at least the sophomore year before the start of the internship program. An applicant also must be returning to a degree-granting institution the following academic year, either at the undergraduate or graduate level. Graduating seniors must be already admitted to and planning to enter graduate school in Fall 2014 to be eligible.

Please distribute the application packet to eligible students and feel free to duplicate as needed. The application deadline is Friday, February 14, 2014; however, applications can be submitted prior to the deadline. On-line copies of the application are available for download at http://www.qem.org/internship.htm#NSF <http://www.qem.org/internship.htm#NSF> .

The internship is a wonderful educational opportunity and we would greatly appreciate your encouraging students to apply who could benefit from this experience.

QEM NSF Internship Flyer

Taylor Brown, Junior STS Major

             To be honest, when I applied for the Operational Excellence Internship at GlaxoSmithKline, I did not really know what I was applying for. Nevertheless, I applied, interviewed, and received the position. I began working on May 20, 2013 and immediately started learning all about the company, my department, and what it means to be part of the workforce.  

               During my summer at GSK, I worked closely with the manufacturing and packaging departments in the TUMS factory, which is located in St. Louis, MO, only thirty minutes from my house. I quickly learned that I would not be treated as an “innocent intern” and would be held to the same standards as the full-time employees. Because GSK must abide by FDA and OSHA guidelines, I had to complete many standard operating procedures, SOPS, and undergo extensive training on how to handle the product and wear the proper protective gowning.

               During my time as an intern, I was able to utilize the technical writing skills I have learned during my Butler career. I authored two manuals that are currently being used a points of reference during site-wide training. I was also able to write a new SOP, which will be used in the manufacturing departments. I completed daily operations tasks, such as efficiency analysis, participating in safety meetings, and performing quality experiments in the site’s chemistry lab.

               At the end of my internship, I left GSK with an awareness of what it means to be part of the workforce as well as a strong sense of accomplishment in the science-writing field. The experience also opened my eyes to the manufacturing world which I hope to be a more permanent part of in the future.