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Where to begin?
There are numerous research and internship options available in addition to other avenues for gaining experience inside and outside the classroom. Among the more popular programs is the network of Research Experience for Undergraduates (REUs) sites hosted by universities across the U.S. Typically each site supports 4 – 8 students who visit it during summer and work there with a mentor on a research project. An REU lasts about 8 weeks. Travel, room and board are covered and you get paid $2000 – $6000. Most deadlines are in February.
Department Research Opportunities
Interested in doing research with a local Math faculty member? You should start by reviewing the research areas of the Math Department and faculty involved in those areas, and you can find that information here. You do not have to wait until a faculty member has a position available, and you are encouraged to discuss Math research with any faculty member. Many research projects will require the completion of MATH 309, MATH 310, or MATH 325 with an excellent grade.
Need help getting started? Please contact Alex Zupan, the math department's undergraduate chair, to set up a meeting to discuss possible projects and mentors.
Nebraska Experimental Math and Outreach Lab
NEMO Lab connects undergraduate students with opportunities to get involved in mathematics research and outreach projects outside of the typical classroom setting.
Nation-wide Research and Internships Opportunities
- MathPrograms.org: A very convenient (free!) online application system and a perfect place to start. It features a large and constantly updated database of various math-related opportunities for students. You can create an account, store application materials, manage reference letters, and apply to multiple programs right from this website.
- MathJobs.org: Another very convenient (free!) online application system. After registration and data entry, applicants can apply for jobs, keep track of applications, print out paper coversheets, and invite their reference writers to submit letters into the system.
- Database of REUs and REUs in Mathematics from the National Science Foundation.
- List of REU programs compiled by the American Mathematical Society (AMS)
- List of Internships and Co-ops compiled by the AMS
- List of Internships compiled by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
- Semester and Summer programs compiled by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA)
- List of Research Opportunities and Other Programs for Women (and everyone) compiled by the Women in Math Project
- Pathways to Science: A website of information about REUs, scholarships, and travel and research opportunities for Undergraduate students in STEM.
- American Mathematical Society's Mathematical Opportunities
- Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics Career Resources
- International Association of Quantitative Finance Job Board
- The Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences (INFORMS) Career Center
- National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Career Center
- Society of Actuaries Career Development
- Casualty Actuarial Society Career Center
- American Statistical Association Career Center
Federal Research and Internship Programs
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Department of Energy (DoE)
Sample: Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Department of Defense (DoD)
Student internships and summer programs
USSTRATCOM Programs (part of DoD in Omaha, NE)
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Internships for current students
National Security Agency (NSA)Programs
The NSA offers summer programs very similar to the REU's. Citizenship or permanent residency required. Highly competitive. Application deadlines vary by program!
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)Programs
The CIA offers programs that start several times a year and can be for multiple years.
Other Federal Agencies (some require US citizenship or residency)
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
Los Alamos National Laboratory Student Programs
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) Opportunity Catalog
National Institute of Standards and Technology
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
USAJOBS - Government website information about jobs open to students and recent graduates.
Academic Programs Outside of UNL
Summer Undergraduate Applied Mathematics Institute
Held at the Center for Nonlinear Analysis at Carnegie Mellon University, in addition to a stipend participants receive credit from Carnegie Mellon for this 7-week learning and research experience.
Quantitative Research in the Life and Social Sciences Program (QRLSSP)
The Quantitative Research in the Life and Social Sciences Program (QRLSSP) is an intensive summer research experience that prepares undergraduate students for the rigors of graduate level research at the interface of mathematics, statistics, and the natural and social sciences.
Mathematics Advanced Study Semesters (MASS) at Penn State
MASS is held during the fall semester of each year at Penn State University.
Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics at UCLA
Offers summer schools, research programs, and more at UCLA.
Budapest Semesters in Mathematics and Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education
Education Abroad in Hungry!
The Peace Corps is often in need of Math teachers, which is an exciting way to get Math teaching experience without a teaching degree or teaching certificate!
Opportunities and Resources At UNL
Undergraduate Creative Activities and Research Experiences (UCARE)
This UNL program is designed to promote undergraduate research by having students work on a research project with a faculty mentor.
Many students in the UNL Honors Program do their senior theses under the direction of math faculty.
Many students also complete a senior thesis under the direction of math faculty. Completion of a senior thesis can qualify you for a degree with Distinction!
Handshake is the place for students of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to search and apply for internships, co-ops, part-time and full-time jobs.
University Career Services' Ways to Gain Experience
University Career Services has an excellent guide to ways to gain experience.
College of Arts & Sciences Career Coaches
Our Career Coaches have both appointments and drop-ins available to help you reach your career goals!
Questions?
Have questions about where to start, what to do, or who to talk to?
Don't hesitate to contact Professor Alex Zupan, Undergraduate Chair for Mathematics, or Doug Pellatz, Assigned Advisor for Mathematics.