About Internships

The plan for the WISP research internship program is as follows:

• Interviewing and matching: fall term
• Research experiences: winter and spring terms

Be sure to monitor the WISP website and communications for any changes to the research internship program process and/or schedule. The WISP program will remain active throughout the year, regardless of any potential pandemic-related restrictions (e.g. restrictions on access to campus facilities, including research facilities and labs), although the timeline and format may change.

With a WISP internship, students and faculty interview and are matched by the WISP administrative team – as opposed to other UGAR programs, where students find a faculty member to work with and then apply for funding. This is a very important distinction; faculty may not "pre-select" students nor does WISP fund students who find their own research opportunities outside of our matching process. Interns and mentors are matched based on several factors, including mutual preference, priority for making matches in disciplines where women are underrepresented, and ensuring parity.

It might be that you aren't comfortable with the matching process and would prefer to come to an agreement with a specific faculty member – and that's fine! There is a multitude of ways to get involved in research during your time at Dartmouth.

WISP provides you with hands-on research experience that will supplement your science education and help you develop:

• Research skills
• A better understanding of scientific inquiry and culture
• An awareness of science and/or engineering career possibilities

Any first-year, female-identifying student can apply for a WISP internship in any STEM discipline, including Psychological & Brain Sciences. Sophomore women are invited to internships in chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics, and physics/astronomy (areas where women are most under-represented).

Female transfer students, regardless of assigned class year, are welcome to apply for WISP internships in any STEM discipline.

These are paid internships. WISP interns work 6-10 hours per week and are paid $12/hour for up to 100 hours per term. This does count towards work-study requirements. Interns must complete the I-9 employment verification process prior to beginning their WISP internship.

First-year interns work are expected to work two terms (winter and spring), and sophomores may work one or two terms, depending on their D-plans.