Great place to learn. There's a lot of really interesting research happening, and it's very exciting. Great student programs.
What I wish was different
Much of the work requires a security clearance, so you're somewhat limited in what you can work on.
Advice
Take advantage of all the student opportunities, like the tours and lectures.
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Computer Systems Software Engineer
May 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I was able to make my own schedule since I had to travel a lot. The people were really helpful in answering an questions I had
What I wish was different
I wish I would have applied sooner. The work environment was amazing.
Advice
Apply to any internship that come your way. You never know what opportunities will open.
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Research Assistant
May - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
Ask lots of questions! There will be many things you don't know, and it's better to sound stupid and be safe than to be sorry.
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Industrial Hygienist assistant
May 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
My mentor was incredible. She made sure I knew what I needed to be working on long term and checked in regularly to help with my progress. The people I met and worked with were so helpful to my summer project. I gained so much experience in writing papers and giving presentations. I also got to do some field work.
What I wish was different
Not anything substantial. I am working towards a degree in Biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine, so occupational safety and health is related to my interest but not completely. They requested me back so that's where I'll be working again this winter and next summer but in time I will need to find something that even more closely aligns with my desired career.
Advice
Make sure you are getting yourself connected. Aside from getting your work done well and efficiently, having connections with people and being friendly is crucial to being asked to come back. In time I will be able to contact these people for a letter of recommendation because I worked closely with them for three and a half months.
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Student Researcher
April - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I had the opportunity to work very closely with established astrophysicists on my project. I got to learn about new things and apply techniques I had studied in classes but never been able to use. It was a lot of fun, and I feel like I came out a better scientist than I went in.
What I wish was different
Working for a government-contracted lab comes with about a thousand miles of red tape, even when you work on unclassified and non-sensitive academic projects. I was amazed after a few days that scientists at LANL manage to accomplish anything at all.
Also, the cafeteria was kind of expensive.
Advice
Look for housing early. If you plan on interning at the lab starting in April or May, you need to start looking for housing as soon as they extend an offer (early January for me).
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Parallel Computing Summer School Intern
June - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I enjoyed the collaboration and networking opportunities offered
What I wish was different
It would have been helpful to have more mentors available.
Advice
If you want to get published start writing as soon as possible.
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Engineering Research Assistant
June - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I loved the autonomy that was given to me and my team. I had contact with mentors in person weekly and available over phone or email throughout the week. Perfect balance between figuring out things on own and developing cook new novel techniques for research while receiving enough help whenever I got stumped with my research. I also am excited to get my research paper published in the IMAC conference and present in Texas in February.
What I wish was different
I wish there were more stuff to do in the city of Los Alamos. It’s very small and only has one grocery store as well as over priced housing.
Advice
This is definitely worth it if you haven’t had any research experience and/or if you’re planning on grad school! Great for networking, I’m even if you aren’t planning on working at Los Alamos National Lab long term, and great source for letters of recommendation
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LANL Student Researcher
June - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
The people. Everybody was always willing to help in some way, communication was always emphasized. Generally, students could get into contact with just about anyone. All staff, scientists, employees of all sorts were very easy to talk to and friendly. There were also many great activities, events and resources available to students. All in all, it was an extremely pleasant experience.
What I wish was different
Unfortunately there was some time wasted on troubleshooting things that should've been resolved before students began working. Some systems didn't work and we ended up wasting some time waiting for them to be fixed, resolved, etc. This was only really a problem at the beginning of the summer, and once these issues were resolved things ran fairly smoothly.
Advice
Go to as many tours, talks, and activities as you can! Talk to as many people as you can. There are so many amazing resources and opportunities at the labs.
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Undergraduate Scientist
June - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
There was a lot of free time and plenty of opportunities to go to interesting talks and explore the town all while being able to get your work done.
What I wish was different
I wish there was a little more structure in the internship.
Advice
This was an amazing experience. If you love being able to work on amazing projects with experts from around the work and hiking around mountains in your free time then try to work at Los Alamos.
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Student Intern
May - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I learned more than I could have imagined at my internship during my time there. It was an amazing experience.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have had more time! It was a full time internship, however even when leaving at the end of the summer I was aware of how much more there was I could have learned.
Advice
For an internship, make sure you're priority is taking advantage of the situation. There were many talks I went to and such that were super beneficial. Take the opportunities given.
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Junior Budget Analyst
June 2018 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I loved the work environment, the experience and my coworkers. I learned a lot in this position that applies to my chosen career field. I really enjoyed being in the environment and being involved in the significant mission of the laboratory.
What I wish was different
Nothing! The hours were great and I would say the experience was perfect. I wish I had more flexibility but since I didn't have my security clearance it was a challenge.
Advice
Come in with an open mind and be prepared to put your best foot forward because there are plenty of people in this country who probably wish to be in your shoes.
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Metallography Intern
May - August 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I loved the hands on experience and application of things I learned in school. It was also cool to be able to visit a variety of facilities and learn more about the opportunities I could have as a mechanical engineer.
What I wish was different
Working in a secure facility and having to be escorted all the time was kind of annoying, I don't enjoy feeling like people are watching over my shoulder.
Advice
If you're working at a National Lab, it's more worth it to go back and get a clearance. If you're only going for one summer, try to find a position in an area that won't require an escort.
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Undergraduate Student Researcher
June 2015 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
The mentorship and interaction with staff at LANL is absolutely fantastic! Everyone I work with is absolutely brilliant and kind. The group I work with also fosters friendships between students in the group, and I have made some of my best friends through work.
What I wish was different
Communication between different student groups is minimal. It would be nice to know what other students around the lab work on and how their experience has differed from my own. There is also a large problem every summer with student seating space not being available.
Advice
The job is more rewarding the longer you stay. I have worked at LANL for 5 summers, and each one is more rewarding than the last. If you only stay for one summer, it is unlikely that they will send you to a conference or publish a paper with you because 10 weeks is not enough time. If you continue to come back, the reward grows. My third publication is currently under review, and I am about to give my 3rd conference presentation as an undergrad! That's an experience I would not have gotten anywhere else, but you have to choose to make this job your focus.
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Engineering intern
May 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I got to perform R&D work that I chose to do. I was allowed to be a self starter and a creative thinker, and had the backing from management to move forward.
What I wish was different
I can’t really complain. My coworkers are awesome and I have fun at my job.
Advice
If I could say one thing about internships, it would be that they are a stepping stone to move forward in your career. Any experience is great, but don’t stick around if you don’t enjoy your work. I was lucky enough to really like where I’m at, but if I didn’t like it I would look for other jobs.
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Undergraduate Researcher
May - July 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
The environment at the facility is very collaborative - even more than at universities. The pace of doing research is also different, which is likely because time horizon for funding is typically long term 3-10 years, opposed to most university research 0.5-3 years.
I also really liked the weather and outdoor activities in the area. It's very outdoorsy, lots of nearby hiking and camping spots. The rock climbing was great, and the mountain biking was exceptional.
What I wish was different
I wish I could have had more selection on the division of study I worked in.
Advice
The connections from networking at this facility are exceptional. Since so many people are open to collaborating, take time to meet people outside of your division - get emails from mentors and ask to have coffee with people who work on things you find interesting.
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Physics Intern
May 2019 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
Working conditions were great. Faculty was also great
What I wish was different
Advice
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Structural Engineer
June 2017 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
What I wish was different
Advice
If the career fair is not helping you find a job, work on your cover letters and resumes and apply to as many jobs as possible with all your heart and effort.
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Augmented reality intern
May - September 2018 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
I really liked working at the laboratory in general and they had a great community and lots of events for the interns. I loved working with the hololens and programming in unity.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Summer Intern
June - August 2018 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
The work environment was very encouraging of networking, and the town was very welcoming.
What I wish was different
Advice
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Post baccalaureate researcher
January 2017 • Los Alamos, NM
What I liked
Independence in research. Learning many laboratory skills. Great mentorship. Great pay and benefits (401k, healthcare, etc).
What I wish was different
Nothing to complain about the job itself, but the town is small with not much to do. However, it is on a mountain with access to many outdoor activities such as skiing and hot springs nearby, mountain biking, and hiking. Santa Fe is a 45 minute drive too if you need a night out.
Advice
Network and go to conferences you are interested in. I met my boss after posting my resume up at an algae conference I had attended out of interest. I hadn’t had any luck prior with online job applications, and I got my dream job by showing initiative this way despite my minimal research experience.
