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How to get a intership or reasearch program as a undergraduate student in college, it can be from the school or not is both fine with me.
I am a undergraduate student but I don't know how to approach internship, research program ( it doesn't have to be really from the school it can be outside the school too). I am undecided major but maybe wanted to be somewhere in the healthcare ( not confident yet). I have applied to my everything from my school's internship, research programs but it's super completive in my school and hard to get one. I have applied to ones outside my school too but it's super competitive too and didn't get it? WHAT CAN I DO? I have already spend two years in college and super sadly :(, still don't have one ( have tired everything in the past two years but nothing good has land on me yet :<). Also, I am open to anything, it can be just hands-on too, I feel like this can help me decide where I wanted to do and be in. Any advices, tips, anything. THANKS IN ADVANCE!!!
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6 answers
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Start by applying to structured hospital volunteering programs or shadow a variety of local healthcare professionals to narrow down your career interests.
Utilize your college's pre-health advising office and search for undergraduate research programs like the CDC’s Summer Fellowship or the NIH SIP.
Ensure your resume highlights relevant coursework, and approach professors teaching introductory science or health classes directly during office hours to ask about open projects.
Utilize your college's pre-health advising office and search for undergraduate research programs like the CDC’s Summer Fellowship or the NIH SIP.
Ensure your resume highlights relevant coursework, and approach professors teaching introductory science or health classes directly during office hours to ask about open projects.
Updated
Sydney’s Answer
A best practice is to attend career fairs and network with people in the industry you’re interested in. Tap into family, family friends, professors, or anyone you know who works in healthcare and ask if they’d be open to a quick phone call. You can also reach out to professionals on LinkedIn and introduce yourself politely. Even if they don’t have a role for you, they may share advice or point you toward other opportunities. Keep putting yourself out there — sometimes a small hands-on experience can help you figure out what path is right for you.
Updated
Hemant’s Answer
1. Cold Email Professors Directly
Go to your school's faculty directory and find professors doing research you find interesting
Email them directly with a 3-sentence pitch:
- Who you are
- Why their work interests you (be specific — mention their actual paper/project)
- Ask if you can help in any capacity, even unpaid or for credit
Send 20-30 emails. You only need ONE yes.
2. Volunteer at Hospitals/Clinics (Healthcare-Specific Gold)
Since you're leaning healthcare, this is your fastest path
Contact your local hospital's volunteer office directly
Shadow doctors, nurses, PAs - this counts as real experience
Many research labs at hospitals recruit their volunteers first
Red Cross, local urgent care clinics, free clinics = all options
3. Look Beyond "Official" Programs
Small local companies/startups — they can't compete for talent yet, so they take chances on undergrads
Nonprofit organisations in health/science- much less competitive
Community health centers - always need help, rarely advertised
Government agencies — NIH, CDC, local health departments all have programs less known than big names
Go to your school's faculty directory and find professors doing research you find interesting
Email them directly with a 3-sentence pitch:
- Who you are
- Why their work interests you (be specific — mention their actual paper/project)
- Ask if you can help in any capacity, even unpaid or for credit
Send 20-30 emails. You only need ONE yes.
2. Volunteer at Hospitals/Clinics (Healthcare-Specific Gold)
Since you're leaning healthcare, this is your fastest path
Contact your local hospital's volunteer office directly
Shadow doctors, nurses, PAs - this counts as real experience
Many research labs at hospitals recruit their volunteers first
Red Cross, local urgent care clinics, free clinics = all options
3. Look Beyond "Official" Programs
Small local companies/startups — they can't compete for talent yet, so they take chances on undergrads
Nonprofit organisations in health/science- much less competitive
Community health centers - always need help, rarely advertised
Government agencies — NIH, CDC, local health departments all have programs less known than big names
Updated
Rita’s Answer
Unfortunately, it looks like you have already tried everything. I worked with a professor in college. Perhaps, you can try working for free or as a TA. What field are you interested in working? If you are interested in medicine, maybe you can work with a doctor's office. Offer to work for free. This gives you experience and exposes you to what physicians do. If they trust you, then maybe you can offer to work as a medical scribe.
Updated
Steven’s Answer
Hi,
I totally get how frustrating it can be to apply for internships and research programs and keep hitting walls, especially when you’ve been trying for a while. First off, it’s great that you’re staying open-minded and eager to gain hands-on experience—that’s definitely the right attitude!
Here are some ideas that might help you shake things up and increase your chances:
Broaden Your Search: Since healthcare interests you, think about looking beyond just research labs or traditional internships. Hospitals, clinics, public health organizations, nonprofits, or even companies working on healthcare tech might offer volunteer positions, shadowing, or entry-level roles. Sometimes these less-formal opportunities can lead to more involved experiences later.
Network Actively: Reach out to professors, advisors, or professionals on LinkedIn or via email—don’t just apply through formal channels. Sometimes internships aren’t widely advertised, but if you message someone directly expressing genuine interest and a willingness to learn, they might create a spot for you or suggest alternatives. Even informational interviews can open doors.
Look for Smaller or Local Programs: Larger or well-known research programs are super competitive. Try hunting for smaller labs or local organizations that might not have a formal application process. Community hospitals, local clinics, or university departments might have openings that fly under the radar.
Build Your Own Experience: If formal programs remain tough to land, consider designing your own mini project or volunteer regularly somewhere healthcare-related. For example, you could ask to shadow medical professionals, volunteer with community health groups, or work on a side research project independently or with a faculty member on a smaller scale.
Leverage Your School’s Resources Differently: Even if the main programs are competitive, your school’s career center, student organizations, or academic departments might have leads on internships, job boards, or connections you haven’t tapped yet. Sometimes attending workshops, career fairs, or networking events can help you get noticed.
Highlight Soft Skills & Persistence: When you apply, tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your eagerness, willingness to learn, reliability, and any relevant skills—even if informal. Sometimes having a strong attitude and showing how motivated you are can tip the scales.
Consider Related Fields: Healthcare is broad. Maybe explore internships in psychology, biology, public health, healthcare administration, or even nonprofit work focused on health education. Getting experience in related areas can also guide you toward what you like.
Remember, finding the right opportunity often takes time and persistence, but every bit of effort counts. Keep reaching out, stay proactive, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice or referrals from anyone you meet.
You’ve got this! Hang in there and keep pushing forward.
I totally get how frustrating it can be to apply for internships and research programs and keep hitting walls, especially when you’ve been trying for a while. First off, it’s great that you’re staying open-minded and eager to gain hands-on experience—that’s definitely the right attitude!
Here are some ideas that might help you shake things up and increase your chances:
Broaden Your Search: Since healthcare interests you, think about looking beyond just research labs or traditional internships. Hospitals, clinics, public health organizations, nonprofits, or even companies working on healthcare tech might offer volunteer positions, shadowing, or entry-level roles. Sometimes these less-formal opportunities can lead to more involved experiences later.
Network Actively: Reach out to professors, advisors, or professionals on LinkedIn or via email—don’t just apply through formal channels. Sometimes internships aren’t widely advertised, but if you message someone directly expressing genuine interest and a willingness to learn, they might create a spot for you or suggest alternatives. Even informational interviews can open doors.
Look for Smaller or Local Programs: Larger or well-known research programs are super competitive. Try hunting for smaller labs or local organizations that might not have a formal application process. Community hospitals, local clinics, or university departments might have openings that fly under the radar.
Build Your Own Experience: If formal programs remain tough to land, consider designing your own mini project or volunteer regularly somewhere healthcare-related. For example, you could ask to shadow medical professionals, volunteer with community health groups, or work on a side research project independently or with a faculty member on a smaller scale.
Leverage Your School’s Resources Differently: Even if the main programs are competitive, your school’s career center, student organizations, or academic departments might have leads on internships, job boards, or connections you haven’t tapped yet. Sometimes attending workshops, career fairs, or networking events can help you get noticed.
Highlight Soft Skills & Persistence: When you apply, tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your eagerness, willingness to learn, reliability, and any relevant skills—even if informal. Sometimes having a strong attitude and showing how motivated you are can tip the scales.
Consider Related Fields: Healthcare is broad. Maybe explore internships in psychology, biology, public health, healthcare administration, or even nonprofit work focused on health education. Getting experience in related areas can also guide you toward what you like.
Remember, finding the right opportunity often takes time and persistence, but every bit of effort counts. Keep reaching out, stay proactive, and don’t hesitate to ask for advice or referrals from anyone you meet.
You’ve got this! Hang in there and keep pushing forward.
Updated
Anuj’s Answer
Connect directly with your professors during office hours for on-campus research, or apply for external summer programs like NSF REUs.
For internships, utilize platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn while attending your university's career fairs for direct recruiter contact.
Build a strong resume highlighting your coursework and personal projects, and don't hesitate to cold-email researchers whose work genuinely interests you.
For internships, utilize platforms like Handshake and LinkedIn while attending your university's career fairs for direct recruiter contact.
Build a strong resume highlighting your coursework and personal projects, and don't hesitate to cold-email researchers whose work genuinely interests you.