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here and there
Mar. 8th, 2009 08:36 amSo, I've been applying to various internships, and considering summer research programs. But it's a delicate balance; many require a letter of recommendation from a staff member, which sets up a certain obligation. I mean, if I solicit the favor of a strong recommendation letter from someone in the field, and I get into both a research program I'm interested in *and* get accepted for an internship, I'm letting someone down.
UMD/BSOS actually has a summer research program, as well. It seems that the geography department has not been getting applicants these past few years, and someone was displeased about it. So they sent mail to a few of the stronger geog undergrads, encouraging them to consider the program. Terribly incoherent mail, but no matter. I agreed to set up an appointment to talk about it. Unfortunately, the department just seems utterly unprepared and they take the idea of obligation even farther: the faculty member I spoke to insisted that if I applied I had to take the internship if selected. However, they don't even have a list of faculty researchers *interested* in taking on an undergraduate researcher. Nor do they have a list of on-going research projects. His suggestion was that I should just go knocking on doors asking faculty members what they were working on, if they wanted a student research assistant, and if they'd be on campus for the 6-week program. ...!
You know, if I'm going to go to all that effort, why the hell would I do it as part of this program, when I could just make it an unofficial long-term project and keep my present job? Colleges today.
I've got some encouragement; I received an inquiry for my interest in a specific project at one of the internships. Still won't know for another month, though.
...
Fire alarm pulled again last night. I'm thinking the alarm pulls in this building need to be swapped out for the ones they put in elementary schools, where you get stained if you pull it. Also, for good measure a picture should be taken. Fucking drunk idiots.
UMD/BSOS actually has a summer research program, as well. It seems that the geography department has not been getting applicants these past few years, and someone was displeased about it. So they sent mail to a few of the stronger geog undergrads, encouraging them to consider the program. Terribly incoherent mail, but no matter. I agreed to set up an appointment to talk about it. Unfortunately, the department just seems utterly unprepared and they take the idea of obligation even farther: the faculty member I spoke to insisted that if I applied I had to take the internship if selected. However, they don't even have a list of faculty researchers *interested* in taking on an undergraduate researcher. Nor do they have a list of on-going research projects. His suggestion was that I should just go knocking on doors asking faculty members what they were working on, if they wanted a student research assistant, and if they'd be on campus for the 6-week program. ...!
You know, if I'm going to go to all that effort, why the hell would I do it as part of this program, when I could just make it an unofficial long-term project and keep my present job? Colleges today.
I've got some encouragement; I received an inquiry for my interest in a specific project at one of the internships. Still won't know for another month, though.
...
Fire alarm pulled again last night. I'm thinking the alarm pulls in this building need to be swapped out for the ones they put in elementary schools, where you get stained if you pull it. Also, for good measure a picture should be taken. Fucking drunk idiots.
