ASM Online Member Community

 View Only
  • 1.  internship opportunities

    Posted 02-17-2023 21:57
    Edited by Giovana Monserrat Sanchez Mata 02-17-2023 21:58

    What advice would you give to someone looking for an internship opportunity in materials science ?



    ------------------------------
    Giovana Monserrat Sánchez Mata
    Saltillo
    (844) 622-2073
    ------------------------------

    IMAT Conference & Expo


  • 2.  RE: internship opportunities

    Posted 02-18-2023 16:08
    Giovanna -

    1) Let as many people know as possible.

    2) Be open to many opportunities, topics, fields, etc.....

    3) Predetermine your radius-of-pain, meaning how
        far or close you are willing to travel.

    4) Predetermine if you can accept a salaried or volunteer position.
        Realize that under IRS rules, you are not allowed to work for
        free ($0 << minimum wage) if someone else is being salaried
        to do similar work.


    5) Have a PDF resume handy/ready to email at a moment's notice.

    regards,
    - Jim







    IMAT Conference & Expo


  • 3.  RE: internship opportunities

    Posted 02-20-2023 12:49

    Giovana,

    Don't sell yourself short! The odds are very good that there is no expectations that you have a deep knowledge of the material they are processing. There are few / no schools teaching aluminum, nickel, brass, or copper at the undergraduate (internship) level. So casters, extruders, rollers, forgers, etc. will be expecting to take you in with only the basic knowledge of metallurgy. And I assume it is the same / similar in ceramics, polymers, and whatever other materials fields you can find. Their goal will be to teach you their craft and, hopefully, provide such a positive experience that you will consider coming back once you finish your degree.

    So - don't discount your ability to get an internship for your "dream" company or your "dream" material just because it seems cutting edge or that there "must" be a high bar to go there because they are a big company. Apply EVERYWHERE you think is interesting or valuable. The worst that can happen is that they say "no." But they aren't going to be annoyed for the attempt. And all you have lost is the time involved with reaching out. 

    But what if you GOT that dream job?!  

    Or at least the interview? Failed interviews are practice for when you come across the job you really want! Go to all interviews, even if you may have changed your mind on what they offer. Get the PRACTICE of telling your story. Get comfortable being asked difficult questions.

    Refine the questions that YOU need to ask! You need to remember that YOU are also interviewing THEM. They need to be trying to convince you to hire in with them. With practice comes comfort - you will be better prepared the more you can visit places. Be confident with who you are and that you are worth the time.



    ------------------------------
    David Betz
    Sr. Laboratory Engineer
    Hydro Aluminum Metals, USA
    dbetzasm@gmail.com
    ------------------------------

    IMAT Conference & Expo


  • 4.  RE: internship opportunities

    Posted 02-20-2023 13:43

    Thanks for your answers! They'll help me a lot! 



    ------------------------------
    Giovana Monserrat Sánchez Mata
    Saltillo
    (844) 622-2073
    ------------------------------

    IMAT Conference & Expo