It’s never too early to start thinking of ways to get closer to your career goals through summer plans. Summer programs are usually designed to focus on a specific industry and provide an opportunity to network while expanding your understanding of the field. A number of universities and employers offer summer programs exclusively to students from unrepresented backgrounds to advance career advancement, encourage further education, increase research and more. While many of the programs listed below focus on the health profession, summer programs are not exclusively for people interested in the health field. It is important to conduct your own research on programs that focus on your industry of choice. Here are some summer plans that can be great career development opportunities for you!
Factors to consider:
- Cost / Compensation – Programs can be free, provide an allowance or charge a fee for participation, so it’s important to make sure you have accurate information
- Commitment to time – Many summer programs are intense and require a lot of your time. Consider how long, if any, you can commit to
- Location – Is the plan residential? Will you travel? What is the cost of living in the area?
- How does the program align with your short- and long-term career goals?
Summer Program for Minority Undergraduate Studies (SUMR) at the University of Pennsylvania
This summer internship introduces talented undergraduate students from under-represented minority groups to research in health services, population health and clinical epidemiology. The program is open to graduates, young people and the elderly who are interested in exploring the field of health care research.
Since 2000, more than 322 undergraduate students have participated in SUMR and 85% have pursued a career in health care. We invite you to be a part of this positive change, learn about our program and contact us if you are interested in becoming a SUMR scholar.
Participating researchers work with faculty on guided research projects, participate in AcademyHealth’s annual research meeting and present their projects at the end of the SUMR research symposium.
Summer 2022 application opens: September 15, 2021
Commitment to time and compensation: SUMR students earn $ 15 an hour during the summer months for a 40-hour-a-week commitment. Students work with their mentors to design a schedule that can be flexible to circumvent other employment.
For more information on the SUMR program, visit: https://ldi.upenn.edu/education/penn-ldi-training-programs/sumr/
Student Partnership Program of the Department of Energy Minority Education of the U.S. Department of Energy
The Student Partnership Program of a Minority Educational Institution offers talented graduate and graduate students summer jobs of internship with the U.S. Department of Energy and its national labs. Roles include scientific research or focusing on policy, business and government relations. The internship includes accommodation, round-trip flights and student scholarships. As participants in the program, students are given an intensive 10-week assignment to “jumpstart” their careers and develop their potential for future opportunities within the federal government. Students work side-by-side with scientists, engineers and other leading professionals to develop professional skills and improve leadership abilities. Please visit the FAQ page for more details
The Student Partnership Program of a Minority Educational Institution is looking for students studying for degrees in a variety of academic majors, including, but not limited to:
- engineering– Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Materials, Mechanical, Metals, Nuclear and Nuclear
- Sciences Biological, computer, information technology, geology, mathematics, microbiology and physics
- Social Sciences– Economics, International Relations, National Security, Organizational Psychology, Policy, Political Science and Sociology
- BusinessAccounting, business administration, finance, management and public administration
The application for summer 2022 opens: Not known at this time. Check the site from time to time for updates
Commitment to time and compensation: 10 weeks, housing, round-trip flights and student scholarships ($ 600 per week for undergraduates and $ 850 per week for graduates)
For more information about the program, visit: https://www.doemeispp.org/
Summer Research Scholarship Program at UConn Health
The Summer Research Scholarship Program is a nine-week program designed for graduate students, youth, graduates or recent graduates. The goal of the program is to provide a research enrichment experience and some exposure to clinical medicine. This program is designed for students interested in a career in medicine, dentistry or biomedical research and for candidates who have completed certain courses in college in biology and chemistry (preferably using organic chemistry). This program is devoted to working about 32 hours per week on a research project and 8 hours per week for required clinical experience.
All candidates should:
- Be from groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in the health professions (African American, Hispanic / Latino, Native American, Alaskan, Hawaiian) or others from disadvantaged backgrounds who meet all eligibility criteria and are highly likely to meet social and educational requirements. The goals of this program.
- There were sophomores, juniors, seniors or fresh graduates of pre-vocational programs with a ‘B +’ average or better (science average of 3.2 and above and an average of 3.3 and above) interested in a career in medicine, dentistry, or biomedical research.
- You have completed several courses in college in biology and chemistry (preferably using organic chemistry).
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Summer 2022 application opens: It is not known if the program will continue in the summer of 2022 due to the plague, but check the site from time to time for updates
Commitment to time and compensation: 9 weeks, housing, meals and allowance
For more information about the program, visit: https://health.uconn.edu/hcop/enrichment-programs/summer-research-fellowship-program/
Undergraduate Summer Curriculum Research Program at Harvard University
SHURP is a ten-week summer program offered by the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard Medical School and the School of Arts and Sciences. It strives to provide students in represented minority colleges with an opportunity to receive training and instruction in scientific research.
Participants will be:
- Conduct 10 weeks of paid scholarly research under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor
- Attended professional development workshops and research discussions
- Meet with fellow mentors
- Attended the National Symposium of the Leadership Alliance
- Get a professional network of mentors and SHURPers
The application for summer 2022 opens: Not known at this time. Check the site from time to time for updates
Commitment to time and compensation: Campus housing, scholarship ($ 450 per week for 10 weeks), and travel to and from the program are provided
For more information on the summer graduate research program with honors, visit: https://shurp.hms.harvard.edu/program-information
Other notable summer programs:
A summer project run by Harvard Business School: https://www.hbs.edu/svmp/Pages/default.aspx
Summer program for health studies: https://www.shpep.org/about/
JP Morgan Chase & Co Student Programs: https://careers.jpmorgan.com/us/en/students/programs?search=&tags=location__Americas__UnitedStatesofAmerica
Undergraduate research scholarship in the summer Program at Boston University: https://www.bu.edu/surf/
Summer enrichment program at UMASS Medical School: https://www.umassmed.edu/gsbs/outreach-programs/summer-enrichment-programs/
Celtech Summer undergraduate research scholarships: https://sfp.caltech.edu/programs
