The following BLOG essay is by Kristopher Knittle, senior Electrical Engineering major.
I spent my 2011 summer in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Advanced Materials Research Institute within University of New Orleans (UNO) hosted a summer research program called Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).
REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs. This program provides educational opportunities for undergraduate as well as research experience well before the student enters a graduate program. The National Science Foundation (NSF) provides grant money to universities across the country to host these programs in all areas of research for engineering, physics, biology, chemistry, psychology, and many more. Each school has its own specific topic.
I first heard of the REU program through a professor. I immediately went to the NSF website to find a topic of research that I would be interested in. There I found contact information for each school and links to apply to each one. I spent a lot of time reading the description of the research topics to decide if it was a good fit for me. I applied to 15 different REU programs and received an offer from 3 of them.
I decided to apply because I felt that this program would be helpful to enter graduate school. This program included several benefits. Those participating in the REU received; a living stipend, travel allowance, on campus housing and meals. For me other benefits came as experience in my research topic: fabrication and characterization of patterned magnetic nanostructures. Every student in the program received mentoring by an experienced research faculty, information about graduate schools and financial opportunities such fellowships, scholarships, and assistantships to support graduate education.
Orientation to the program included an introduction to methods of research, current research projects by graduate students and short courses in the expertise of the mentors. In addition to our research we participated in weekly seminars involving topics such as Library Research Tools, Technical Writing, Effective Presentation Skills, Professional Ethics, and a look at how industry is using nanotechnology. These mini-lectures have added value to the experience in addition to skills and knowledge which may be useful after college in a professional environment.
My Overall Internship Experience
During the program the mentors made themselves readily available for the interns, encouraging open communication. My direct mentor held weekly group meetings to track our progress, give guidance, and provide feedback on the work we conducted. This internship provided ample opportunity to develop human relation and communication skills while building self-motivation.
When I entered this program, I was unsure what I wanted to do after graduating. The program gave me a glimpse into what grad school would be like because I worked every day with a grad student assisting with the student’s research. After finishing the program, I learned that I do not want to continue to grad school. That was the motivating factor to apply to the REU because I thought grad school was for me.
I was thrilled after I learned I was accepted, I would be visiting another part of the country. New Orleans is very different from Harrisburg, Middletown or the whole state of Pennsylvania. I enjoyed experiencing a new culture, tasting interesting foods and building new friendships. In the Big Easy life was very comfortable. The warm weather was perfect for the many festivals they have every year. My favorite was the Running of the Bulls. No bulls were used but we all dressed in traditional white and red in honor of San Ferm�n in Pamplona Spain. From my time in the city, there will be an ever lasting impression. The people know how to enjoy life. It’s best said by the famous phrase, “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez”- Let the Good Times Roll!
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have!
Kristofer Knittle
kek5218@psu.edu