MC NIST PREP

1. You must be an MC student in a degree or certificate-seeking program and NOT be enrolled in a degree seeking program at another institution.
   
   
2. You do NOT have to be a U.S. citizen; however, you do need to be able to provide, after acceptance to the program, a current visa. (Note: There are some projects at NIST that do require U.S. citizenship, however, the majority do not.)
   
   
3. You have to have a social security number to share with MC after acceptance to the program. Stipend payments cannot be processed without this information.
   
   
4. Some lab-based projects require that interns be 18 years or older at the time the internship begins. However, may other projects do not have an age restriction.
   
   
5. The minimum GPA is 3.0. However, most applicants accepted to the program have GPAs higher than 3.0.
   
   
6. Typical applicants have completed or are taking at least two STEM classes. In general, the more STEM classes you have completed, the more qualified you would be for placement in various projects.
   
   
7. Priority is often given to students who are interested in STEM research or careers in coding and/or data science. This program is not typically a good fit for students pursuing areas such as nursing, for example.
   
   
8. See the Application Materialsnew window and FAQsnew window link for additional guidance.

This document (PDF, ) provides an overview of the program components and requirements. The MC-NIST-PREP program is designed to provide interns the opportunity to conduct STEM research at NIST, while also receiving professional development from Montgomery College.

Primary Intern Duties

The majority of time for this internship is spent working under the guidance of a NIST mentor conducting STEM research during the hours agreed upon between the mentor and the intern. The specific daily activities will vary depending upon the project. These duties will be available in specific job postings and will be discussed with prospective interns during the interview process. All training related to intern projects is provided by the NIST mentor and/or the associated lab group. 

Professional Development Program Requirements

There is currently no specific application due date.
Please submit your application NOW for consideration when relevant projects are posted.   
You will not have to reapply when new opportunities become available.  When NIST shares projects with us, we will share applications on file for any applicants who meet the project requirements.

Please read all instructions to ensure that your application is successfully prepared and submitted.

Note: It is important to complete the Application Form after you have prepared your resume, personal statement and unofficial transcript, as you will need to upload these documents with specific file names. You will not be able to save your answers partway through the application, so it is important to have the files ready to upload before you begin the application process.

1. Confirm that you meet ALL of the qualifications for the program.  See the Program Requirements link on the MC-NIST-PREP website.
2. Prepare your resume, following the very specific resume guidance (see Resume Guidance (PDF, ) Link under Application Materials).  Do not upload a generic resume with an improperly named file, as this will prevent your application from being properly considered.
3. Prepare your personal statement, following the guidelines provided (see Personal Statement Guidance Link under application materials. Again, specific content and file name is required.
4. Download and save an unofficial copy of your transcript from MC and any other college or university you attended that shows relevant STEM coursework. Save this file using the following format: Last Name-First Name-Transcript   Example: Smith-John-Transcript  (If providing a second transcript, add a 2 at the end of the word transcript in the name of the file.)  Note: You MUST name your file in this format in order for us to pair it with the rest of your application.
5. Request a letter of recommendation from a STEM professor. See Recommendation Letter Guidance for instructions to share with your professor.
6. Open the Application Formnew window and complete all required fields. Upload the requested files (personal statement, resume, transcript), making sure that they are saved with the correct file names.
7. Send an email to NISTinternship@montgomerycollege.edu to let us know that you have successfully submitted your application. Include your name and MC ID# in your email.

Important Note: You MUST name your file in this format in order for us to pair it with the rest of your application: Last Name-First Name-Resume
Example: Smith-John-Resume

The link below contains the components required in your resume. You may, however, choose to use a different style, provided it contains the items shown.  

If you do not have any item to report in a given category, you may omit or delete that section.

You may include additional information, if desired.

Note that NIST may request to see ONLY your resume.  Therefore, the resume needs to be quite detailed. Some of this information may be required again in the application form, which will primarily be used internally at MC.

For required content, please see Resume Guidance template (PDF, ) .

Important Note: You MUST name your file in this format in order for us to pair it with the rest of your application:  Last Name-First Name-Personal-Statement     
Example:  Smith-John-Personal-Statement
At the top of your document provide the following: Name, M#, Email Address, Date

The rest of your personal statement should include the following elements:

1. Describe your interests in various fields of science and your potential career interests.
2. Describe your relevant experience and skills and how they may relate to work done at NIST (go to www.nist.govnew window for more information on research areas). If you are applying for one specific job posting on the MC-NIST-PREP website, feel free to address how your interests and skills relate to that particular project.
   
   
3. In addition, here are some sample questions that you may want to address in your personal statement to help provide a clearer picture of you and your goals.  You do not have to answer all questions.
   
   1. Looking at the NIST website, do you have areas that are of particular interest to you? How do these areas relate to your career goals.   (Please do not narrow your comments to one specific project, as this type of matching is nearly impossible. We are interested in general areas of interest based on the various programs on the NIST website.)
   2. What skills do you have that might be relevant to any type of project at NIST? (Make sure that these are also listed on your resume.)
   3. Are there areas of science that you would definitely NOT be interested in pursuing at NIST?
   4. Why did you choose your particular major and/or career path?
   5. What do you enjoy most in your classes?  Why?  Specific examples are helpful.
   6. What projects have you completed that demonstrate your strengths?
   7. If there are gaps in your schooling, what did you do during that time?
   8. If you had a poor grade(s) at MC at any point, why did this occur?
   9. What challenges have you had to overcome?
   10. Where do you see yourself in ten years?
   11. What else would you like us to know about you?
       
       
4. Finally, at the end of your statement, comment on your commitment to participate for the full 15 hours / week that must be completed at NIST during Monday – Friday business hours. (Confirm that you have the time and motivation necessary to complete 15 hours/week of research and indicate the blocks of time you think you will have available. We realize this may change once you finalize your class schedule; however, an estimate at this point is helpful.  Note that most projects are best completed with longer blocks of time on fewer days per week rather than three hours per day.  Don’t forget to consider the time necessary to commute to the NIST Gaithersburg location, which is difficult via bus.)

One letter of recommendation is required to complete your application.  Please share this information with a STEM instructor who knows you well and can provide a meaningful recommendation letter.

Requesting a letter:

Identify a STEM instructor who knows you well from your coursework and email the instructor to ask if they are able to provide a letter for you within three weeks of your application submission.  (If you see them regularly, you may want to ask in person first and then send an email request.)  

Once the professor has agreed to write a letter, provide the instructor with as much relevant background information as possible.  For example, your resume and career goals, as well as a link to the MC-NIST-PREP website.  

Be sure to share the information below as well. 

Suggestions for recommendation letter content:

Please ask your instructor to consider including information about the following (on MC letterhead):

•  your intellectual ability (with specific examples, if possible)
•  your skills
•  your ability to solve problems
•  your dedication to your educational and career goals
•  your responsibility/work ethic (assignments complete and turn in on time, attendance)
•  your ability to work in groups 
•  your ability to work independently
•  your interest or enthusiasm for STEM research

Submission Details:

Please share this link with your professor for uploading the recommendation letter: Link for the Recommendation Letternew window

If your professor has any questions or issues using the link, please ask them to send an email to nistinternship@montgomerycollege.edu for guidance.