It is never too early to start thinking about ways to get closer to your career goals through summer programs. Summer programs are typically designed to focus on a specific industry and provide an opportunity to network while expanding your understanding of the field. Several universities and employers offer summer programs exclusively to students from underrepresented backgrounds to promote career advancement, encourage further education, increase research, and more. While many of the programs listed below are focused on the health profession, summer programs are not exclusively for individuals interested in the healthcare field. It is important to conduct your own research on programs focused on your industry of choice. Below are a few summer programs that could be great career development opportunities for you!
Factors to consider:
- Cost/Compensation – programs can be free, provide a stipend, or charge a fee for participation so it is important to ensure that you have accurate information
- Time Commitment – Many summer programs are intense and require a lot of your time. Consider how much time, if any, you can commit
- Location – is the program residential? Will you commute? What is the cost of living in the area?
- How does the program align with your short-term and long-term career goals?
Summer Undergraduate Minority Research Program (SUMR) at the University of Pennsylvania
This summer internship introduces talented undergraduate students from underrepresented minority groups to research in health services, population health, and clinical epidemiology at Penn. The program is open to rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in exploring the field of health services research.
Since 2000, more than 322 undergraduate students have participated in SUMR and 85% have gone on to have careers in health care. We invite you to be part of this positive change, learn about our program, and contact us if you are interested in becoming a SUMR scholar.
Participating scholars work with Penn faculty on mentored research projects, attend the AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting, and present on their projects at the End of SUMR Research Symposium.
Summer 2022 Application Opens: September 15, 2021
Time Commitment and Compensation: SUMR scholars earn $15/hour during the summer months for a time commitment of 40 hours/week. Students work with their mentors to devise a schedule that can be flexible to work around other employment.
To learn more about the SUMR program, visit: https://ldi.upenn.edu/education/penn-ldi-training-programs/sumr/
U.S. Department of Energy Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program
The Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program offers talented undergraduate and graduate students summer internship positions with the U.S. Department of Energy and its National Laboratories. Positions involve scientific research or a focus on policy, business, and government relations. Internships include lodging, round trip airfare, and student stipends. As program participants, students receive an intensive 10-week assignment to “jump-start” their careers and develop their potential for future opportunities within the federal government. Students work side-by-side with leading scientists, engineers, and other top professionals to develop professional skills and enhance leadership capabilities. Please visit the FAQs page for more details
The Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program seeks students pursuing degrees in a variety of academic majors, including, but not limited to:
- Engineering– Biomedical, Chemical, Civil, Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Industrial, Material, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Nuclear, and Petroleum
- Sciences – Biological, Computer, Information Technology, Geology, Math, Microbiology, and Physics
- Social Sciences– Economics, International Relations, National Security, Organizational Psychology, Policy, Political Science and Sociology
- Business– Accounting, Business Administration, Finance, Management, and Public Administration
Summer 2022 Application Opens: Unknown currently. Check the website periodically for updates
Time Commitment and Compensation: 10 weeks, housing, round trip airfare, and student stipends ($600/week for undergraduates and $850/week for graduates)
To learn more about the program, visit: https://www.doemeispp.org/
Summer Research Fellowship Program at UConn Health
The Summer Research Fellowship Program is a nine-week program that is designed for college sophomores, juniors, seniors or recent graduates. The purpose of the program is to provide a research enrichment experience and some exposure to clinical medicine. This program is designed for students who are interested in a career in medicine, dental medicine or biomedical research and for applicants who have completed some college coursework in biology and chemistry (preferably through organic chemistry). This program is devoted to approximately 32 hours per week of work on a research project and 8 hours per week to required clinical experiential.
All Applicants Should:
- Be from groups that have been traditionally underrepresented in the health professions (African American, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Alaskan, Native Hawaiian) or others from disadvantaged backgrounds who meet all eligibility criteria and have a high probability of fulfilling the social and educational goals of this program.
- Be college sophomores, juniors, seniors or recent graduates of pre-professional programs with a ‘B+’ average or better (Science GPA of 3.2 or better and Overall GPA of 3.3 or better) who are interested in a career in medicine, dental medicine, or biomedical research.
- Have completed some college coursework in biology and chemistry (preferably through organic chemistry).
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Summer 2022 Application Opens: Unknown if the program will continue in Summer 2022 due to the pandemic, but check the website periodically for updates
Time Commitment and Compensation: 9 weeks, housing, meals, and a stipend
To learn more about the program, visit: https://health.uconn.edu/hcop/enrichment-programs/summer-research-fellowship-program/
Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program at Harvard University
SHURP is a ten-week summer program offered by the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard Medical School and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. It seeks to provide underrepresented minority college students an opportunity to gain training and mentorship in scientific research.
Participants will:
- Conduct 10 weeks of paid, scholarly research under the guidance of a faculty or research mentor
- Attend professional development workshops and research discussions
- Meet with peer mentors
- Present at the Leadership Alliance National Symposium
- Gain a professional network of mentors and SHURPers
Summer 2022 Application Opens: Unknown currently. Check the website periodically for updates
Time Commitment and Compensation: Housing near campus, stipend ($450/week for 10 weeks), and travel to and from the program is provided
To learn more about the Summer Honors Undergraduate Research Program, visit: https://shurp.hms.harvard.edu/program-information
Other Notable Summer Programs:
Summer Venture in Management at Harvard Business School: https://www.hbs.edu/svmp/Pages/default.aspx
Summer Health Professions Education Program: https://www.shpep.org/about/
JP Morgan Chase & Co. Student Programs: https://careers.jpmorgan.com/us/en/students/programs?search=&tags=location__Americas__UnitedStatesofAmerica
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program at Boston University: https://www.bu.edu/surf/
Summer Enrichment Program at UMASS Medical School: https://www.umassmed.edu/gsbs/outreach-programs/summer-enrichment-programs/
Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships: https://sfp.caltech.edu/programs
