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Job outlook for research interns in the United States
Research internship job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected research internship job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 150,300 new jobs for research interns are projected over the next decade.
Research internship salaries have increased 5% for research interns in the last 5 years.
There are over 192,303 research interns currently employed in the United States.
There are 95,123 active research internship job openings in the US.
The average research internship salary is $39,573.
Are research internship jobs in demand?
Research internship job and salary trends over time
Research internship jobs over time
Research internship job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 192,303 | 0.06% |
| 2020 | 200,720 | 0.06% |
| 2019 | 202,081 | 0.06% |
| 2018 | 171,570 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 163,103 | 0.05% |
Average research internship salary over time
Research internship salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $39,573 | $19.03 | +3.2% |
| 2025 | $38,359 | $18.44 | +1.1% |
| 2024 | $37,956 | $18.25 | --0.2% |
| 2023 | $38,022 | $18.28 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $37,619 | $18.09 | +0.7% |
Research internship jobs by state
Most common states for research interns
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 623,657 | 236 | 38% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 242 | 35% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,347 | 34% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 268 | 28% |
| 5 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 165 | 28% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 290 | 27% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 224 | 26% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 333 | 25% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 167 | 22% |
| 10 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 862 | 21% |
| 11 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 280 | 21% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 222 | 21% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 385 | 20% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 145 | 20% |
| 15 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 321 | 19% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 952 | 17% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,403 | 16% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 484 | 16% |
| 19 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 324 | 16% |
| 20 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,135 | 15% |
Most common cities for research interns
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | 27 | 86% | $50,231 |
| 2 | Dover | 5 | 13% | $48,472 |
| 3 | Juneau | 4 | 12% | $44,461 |
| 4 | Annapolis | 3 | 8% | $41,695 |
| 5 | Hartford | 5 | 4% | $46,340 |
| 6 | Des Moines | 7 | 3% | $36,032 |
| 7 | Baton Rouge | 6 | 3% | $30,819 |
| 8 | Little Rock | 5 | 3% | $35,108 |
| 9 | Lansing | 4 | 3% | $36,562 |
| 10 | Topeka | 4 | 3% | $31,419 |
| 11 | Washington | 14 | 2% | $45,632 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 9 | 2% | $35,418 |
| 13 | Urban Honolulu | 6 | 2% | $39,367 |
| 14 | Montgomery | 5 | 2% | $32,672 |
| 15 | Boston | 8 | 1% | $50,349 |
| 16 | Indianapolis | 6 | 1% | $32,336 |
| 17 | Denver | 4 | 1% | $40,300 |
| 18 | Sacramento | 4 | 1% | $55,566 |
| 19 | Phoenix | 5 | 0% | $41,001 |
Research Internship job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of research internship experts
Georgetown University
Washington State University
Purdue University
University of Nebraska - Omaha
Ohio State University
University of Texas at Austin
Vanderbilt University
Fairfield University
Duquesne University
University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
University of St Andrews
Seattle University
Adelphi University
Adelphi University
Dillard University
Bowling Green State University
Columbus State University
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ivica Labuda PhD: Certainly everyone in the biotech field would benefit from having knowledge of biotechnology techniques and skills in concert with understanding the regulatory framework. That provides a good foundation so that one can interact confidently in every aspect of the biotech world. With AI progress, the next step is to add the basic understanding of the speed at which we can evolve new techniques and materials. Not everybody needs to code, but everyone needs to think about how to maximize its benefits for biotechnology.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Lindsey du Toit: Take every opportunity you can to learn, network, and build an effective team of people that bring a greater breadth and depth of skills and expertise to the work on which you will be focusing. Cultivate a life-long sense of intellectual curiosity and learning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Treat ignorance as an opportunity to learn. Questions demonstrate you want to understand the situation/problem effectively and that you are paying attention. Always demonstrate integrity in your work. It is one of the most valuable traits you can bring to your career. Be kind and supportive of your colleagues.
Yan Cong
Purdue University
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yan Cong: AI singularity, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), et cetera are topics that trigger a lot of debate nowadays and they will be prevalent in the near future. Perspectives from humanities and linguistics would contribute to the ongoing debate and provide new opportunities for future innovative technologies that are linked to languages, linguistics and humanities.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Yan Cong: Develop some in-demand skills such as programming or generating content from text models via prompt engineering, et cetera. Get experience and extra income via paid summer internships.
What general advice would you give to a Research Internship?
John Lyden: Research skills (ability to find and interpret information), oral and written communication skills (ability to present information clearly), data analysis and interpretation, language interpretation and translation. Computer facility will be highly valued. Employers will include those in higher education, government, non-profits, research institutes, and museums.
Dr. Judson Jeffries
ProfessorOhio State University
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, And Group Studies
What general advice would you give to a Research Internship?
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Introduce yourself to some of the more noteworthy people in the field at conferences. Establish a relationship with those folks. I am not saying that your circle should include only the most celebrated academics in your field, but you want to get to know maybe 3 to 4 such persons for the following reasons: 1) to position oneself to get sage, counsel and advice from seasoned academics 2) to learn about various opportunities that may not be publicly advertised and 3) at some point the person 's department will need people to evaluate that person for tenure and promotion. Some departments will ask the junior professor for a list of names. At that point the junior professor will be equipped to provide that list. Finally, go into those fields understanding that you have a responsibility to advocate on behalf of those historically marginalized groups that you're studying. What's more, that person needs to understand that what comes with that is doing research that addresses some of the challenges those groups face.
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Easy, have a vita that clearly shows strong credentials such as publications and the like, which will help said person get multiple interviews, which may lead to multiple offers. Once that person gets multiple offers, that person cannot be shy about negotiating. Everything is negotiable.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Dr. Judson Jeffries: Grant writing ability. Scholars will become increasingly reliant on securing grants as universities and colleges continue to tighten their belts. This is especially true for state schools where some state legislatures are not as generous with funding as they once were. The state supported The Ohio State University is one such example. There are many more.
What general advice would you give to a Research Internship?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: Similar to my answer for the first question, I think that this begins during college as students
build their overall portfolio of knowledge and skills. In addition to strategically selecting
courses, students might think about different volunteer activities (both on and off campus) and
experiential learning opportunities that could help them to further develop skills and build
professional connections. For instance, students can ask professors if there are opportunities for
them to work as a research assistant, or develop their own independent research project. In
addition, students can complete internships with public or private organizations within
community, or even through study abroad programs. In some cases, internships can provide a
bridge to employment post-graduation in that organization.
After students graduate and secure employment, they might consider different ways to engage in
professional development and continuing education. This can occur both within and outside
employer-sponsored activities. For instance, graduates might consider online courses on software
such as Excel, ArcGIS, Python, Tableau, or R. In addition, graduates may think of creative ways
to take leadership on projects in their respective organizations, and/or make a significant
contribution to their organization that will showcase their professional strengths. Finally,
graduates may consider pursuing graduate degrees according to their professional goals, such as
a Master of Social Work (MSW), Master of Public Health (MPH), Juris Doctor (JD), Master's in
Education (M.Ed.), or a Master of Public Administration (MPA).
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: My general advice for undergraduate students majoring in sociology would be to begin thinking
(as early as possible) about how studying sociology might prepare you for different careers.
Explore resources online, including the websites of professional organizations such as the
American Sociological Association and the Society for the Study of Social Problems, and
occupational outlook data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In addition, I would advise
students to speak with their academic advisors, professors, and their college/university career
services personnel about their specific interests, strengths, and opportunities to further develop
various transferable skills throughout (and beyond) their college career. For some students, this
may mean taking certain electives (such as those geared towards maximizing research skills),
and/or adding a minor or a second major. This can also include internships and other experiential
learning opportunities. In addition, students should think about which subfields of sociology
interest them most, and how they see themselves applying their knowledge in a specific field.
Some subfields include urban sociology, medical sociology, political sociology, global and
transnational sociology, law and crime, social inequality, collective behavior, economic
sociology, environmental sociology, and the sociology of education. Sociology students develop
knowledge and skills that are valuable to several fields, including education, legal assistance,
business, public relations, human services/social work, government, public health, urban
planning, criminal justice, market and/or user experience research, and administration. Sociology
students learn to apply a historically and theoretically grounded lens to understanding human
behavior, social institutions, and the interactions between various actors in society across
national and cultural contexts. In addition, they develop both qualitative and quantitative
research skills and are uniquely positioned to apply these skills in a variety of roles to find
solutions to social problems. Accordingly, they are encouraged to develop both cultural humility
and cultural competence, which is critical for promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in any
professional setting. As a result, sociology graduates may pursue jobs including (but not limited
to) the following: research assistant at a non-profit organization, probation officer, community
health worker, residential counselor, case manager, legislative aide, policy analyst, and user
experience researcher for a corporation.
In terms of job searching, I would recommend consulting with professors, advisors, and your
college/university's career services office on the best strategies for highlighting your transferable
skills and tailoring your resume and cover letter to specific job postings. Many organizations
utilize AI to review and narrow down job application materials before they are even reviewed by
human eyes. Also, I would encourage graduates to keep an open mind as they search job postings
as their knowledge and skills can be applied in a variety of settings. Additionally, students may
think about whether or not their long-term career goals require a graduate degree. Some
employers offer tuition reimbursement for graduate education.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Autumn Mathias Ph.D., LCSW: I think it is important for graduates to look at projections on the Bureau of Labor Statistics
website and to conduct general research on the state of certain industries at the time of
graduation. For instance, the tech industry is currently very saturated; some people who started
positions as user experience researchers just a few years ago were laid off. Individuals who have
years of experience in these positions will then have an advantage in securing new positions.
That being said, I believe that quantitative research skills in particular are advantageous for many
positions. This includes attaining coding skills and learning coding languages such as Python, R,
and Java.
In addition to the tech industry, the higher education market for individuals with a Master's
degree or PhD in sociology for tenure-track, full-time assistant professor positions in sociology
proves to remain highly competitive, as there are far more graduates than full-time positions.
That being said, some Master's programs emphasize an applied focus that prepares students for a
variety of research and evaluation positions.
In relation to research skills focused on data collection and analysis, sociology majors develop
writing and presentation skills that are crucial to success in any field. Also, the major's emphasis
on a critical global perspective along with cultural humility, cultural competence, empathy, and
overall interpersonal skills are sought-after skills in many fields. For instance, the U.S. is
experiencing a serious shortage of mental health professionals. Although some mental health
positions require a bachelor's or Master's degree in social work, others are also open to
individuals with a bachelor's degree in sociology or psychology.
Mary Neuburger
Director, Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian StudiesUniversity of Texas at Austin
Slavic, Baltic And Albanian Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What general advice would you give to a Research Internship?
Mary Neuburger: Network as much as possible, online (LinkedIn or social media) and at events related to Russian studies or policy. These tend to be open to the public at most large er universities and some smaller. Attend, ask good questions, and introduce yourself to people. Make sure you highlight all of the skills you have gained on your CV-include projects in courses, extracurricular activities, study abroad etc.
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Mary Neuburger: Language skills are always important, as well as research skills, and experience working on team projects. I also think deep interdisciplinary knowledge of Russia and its sphere of influence will continue to be important, as well as teachnical skills and knowledge of the information environment-and especially disinformation. UT Austin has a new Global Disinformation Lab, in which study of Russian disinformation (among other things) is carried out.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Mary Neuburger: Increase your experience and education in the field. Think about a Russian Studies master's program, for which you can get funding and gain more education and professional experience. UT Austin is looking for good applicants! Also think about doing workshops in various technical skills or platforms to bolster your resume. Think about initiating a club, small organization or project, and taking a leadership role. Highlight these efforts on your cv.
Giovanna Percontino
Communication Career Coach, M.Ed.What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Giovanna Percontino: Take a salary negotiation workshop at U Career Success. Research the current trends and salaries.
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Chair Professor of Religion, Psychology, and Culture and Womanist ThoughtVanderbilt University
Theological And Ministerial Studies
What general advice would you give to a Research Internship?
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.: I tell recent graduates to read the contract and the faculty manual. Make sure you understand the long term implications of your early salary. Second, plan for retirement now; do not wait until you are making the salary of your fantasies. Take advantage of opportunities to learn about financial health and management. Third, position yourself. Write and publish directly and clearly in your field of study and adjacent areas. Fourth, create a plan with vision for the career you think you want. Finally, one way or the other, you will carve out a career or job, but a vocation is nurtured by paying attention to where you experience passion and a deep sense of belonging. A vocation is where your heart and intellect find a meaningful place in responding to the world's needs. Your salary best positions you when it supports your whole life and commitments.
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.: I think it can be easy to immerse oneself in a specific area of study and become well informed, but isolated. I encourage graduate students to also expose themselves to the many co-curricular learning opportunities and intellectual ideas that will stretch and deepen their approach. Many of us have been taught to interrogate ideas that differ from our own. Graduate studies invite and require us to interrogate our own ideas and convictions too.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Phillis Sheppard Ph.D.: I tell recent graduates read the contract and the faculty manual. Make sure you understand the long term implications of your early salary. Second, plan for retirement now; do not wait until you are making the salary of your fantasies. Take advantage of opportunities to learn about financial health and management. Third, position yourself. Write and publish directly and clearly in your field of study and adjacent areas. Fourth, create a plan with vision for the career you think you want. Finally, one way or the other, you will carve out a career or job, but a vocation is nurtured by paying attention to where and you experience passion and a deep sense of belonging. A vocation is where your heart and intellect find a meaningful place in responding to the world's needs. Your salary best positions you when it supports you whole life and commitments.
Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT
Assistant Professor, Marriage and Family Therapy Fairfield UniversityFairfield University
Human Development, Family Studies, And Related Services
What general advice would you give to a Research Internship?
Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT: -Human development is an interdisciplinary major with multiple avenues to pursue post-bachelor's degree. You really need to pursue a master's degree post bachelor's to ensure job security post-grad. Have an idea in mind of what you'd like to pursue-whether it be education or mental health.
What Research Internship skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT: -Research proficiency-get involved in undergrad if you can. As the field progresses, we need innovative thinkers to keep advancing our knowledge.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Alessandra Bryant PhD, LMFT: -Pursue a master's degree in a more specific human development related field. Do your research-look for reputable programs in areas with earning potential post-grad.
Jan Levine
Professor of Law and Director, Legal Research & Writing ProgramDuquesne University
School of Law
What skills stand out on Research Internship resumes?
Jan Levine: Formal recognition from one or both of the two major leading research companies, Westlaw and Lexis, is usually helpful, but pluses would also be listing experience doing research and applying it for a law review article or upper-level course paper, as a research assistant for a faculty member, or for a judge or law firm during an externship/internship or summer job.
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Jan Levine: While research skills are important, conveying what was found is even more important. Legal research is not conducted in isolation as an experiment in the bibliography; what matters is using what's found to solve a legal problem. So that means demonstrating the application of the fruits of research in a written document, such as an office memorandum, appellate brief, law review article, or another professional setting or context.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Interns?
Jan Levine: Understanding how to plan a research effort, knowing how to update research, so it is timely, finding materials online and in print (which is often ignored or downplayed), demonstrating a critical examination of sources (i.e., reading them closely and coming up with an independent professional assessment of the reliability and validity of the materials), and knowing to find and use non-legal sources of information to apply to a legal problem (including talking with experts, going beyond online and print research). Plus, good researchers know how to use librarians and secondary sources of the law to expand the scope of their work and to be more efficient in their research (both in time and cost). Finally, the ability to organize material is crucial to a well-conducted search for material.
What skills will help Research Interns earn the most?
Jan Levine: Efficiency in research, clarity in explanation of the use of researched materials, and having a conscious plan of how to conduct research.
Mario Jimenez Chacon
Assistant ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Green Bay
Humanities Department
What skills stand out on Research Internship resumes?
Mario Jimenez Chacon: The skills that stand out the most demonstrate that the candidate knows how to do independent, sustained, and relevant research. For example, having received some type of grant stands out because it shows that the researcher can formulate their ideas clearly in writing and that the ideas are relevant for their field of research. Also, a candidate who can engage in interdisciplinary research stands out; having the ability to have a conversation with multiple disciplines is an indispensable quality to have as a researcher in our times.
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Mario Jimenez Chacon: Interpersonal skills, work ethic, the ability to work in teams, flexibility, and communication skills are all fundamental soft skills. Researchers are also humans and work with humans, so it's essential to have these soft skills to create a welcoming research community.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Interns?
Mario Jimenez Chacon: Of course, a researcher needs to have the ability to perform high-level, intense research; therefore, a qualified researcher needs to have the hard skills associated with their field, for example, the appropriate certification/ degrees or the ability to use technology effectively. Moreover, nowadays, a researcher needs to dominate more than one language; being multilingual is a skill that makes the candidate really stand out.
What skills will help Research Interns earn the most?
Mario Jimenez Chacon: The skills that will make you earn the most depend very much on their field of research. However, doing the best research possible all the time, having great interpersonal skills, and understanding that one must never stop learning will make you an outstanding candidate in any field.
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.
Director, Center for STEM Research, Education, and Outreach, Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, ISSP Sustainability Excellence AssociateSouthern Illinois University Edwardsville
Department of Environmental Sciences
What skills stand out on Research Internship resumes?
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.: Quantitative literacy skills stand out. Environmental science students who have not shied away from taking courses requiring math and computational skills indicate a student is willing to persist in a challenging area. This might be demonstrated by using statistical software such as R and Python or working with large databases.
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.: -Strong written and oral communication are most important. If you cannot write well, you cannot be a successful scientist. Period.
-Evidence of skills in working as part of a team of diverse people and ability to understand the culture and language across scientific/technical disciplines--for example, an environmental chemist who understands something about policy or an environmental health specialist that would be able to collect and interpret data collected from community members.
-Willingness to be a lifelong learner.
-Something that helps an applicant stand out, such as experience with project management software or a foreign language.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Interns?
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.: -How to use and calibrate field equipment such as water sampling or water quality measurement.
-How to design a research study/experimental design.
-GIS skills
-Environmental statistics skills
-Knowledge of lab and field safety protocols
-Something that helps an applicant to stand out, such as drone pilot certification.
What skills will help Research Interns earn the most?
Dr. Sharon Locke Ph.D.: Quantitative skills such as statistics, computer programming, and GIS.
Dr. Jeffrey Hughes
Deputy DirectorUniversity of St Andrews
Graduate School for Interdisciplinary Studies
What skills stand out on Research Internship resumes?
Dr. Jeffrey Hughes: Evidence of working between and across disciplinary boundaries. Evidence of new and innovative research premised on multiple disciplines. Evidence of synergies developed from combining one or more research disciplines.
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Dr. Jeffrey Hughes: The ability to communicate to academics and practitioners from out-with immediate disciplinary boundaries. The ability to listen to differing perspectives and work to understand differing perspectives through bridging knowledge gaps.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Interns?
Dr. Jeffrey Hughes: This would be dependent upon the disciplines involved and would be hugely varied.
What skills will help Research Interns earn the most?
Dr. Jeffrey Hughes: I would suggest that cultivating the above skills would result in increased earning potential.
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorSeattle University
Department of Anthropology and Sociology
What skills stand out on Research Internship resumes?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Understanding human diversity, Difference is viewed not as an obstacle but as an opportunity for generating new ideas, etc.
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Understanding human diversity, effective communication (speaking and writing: the ability to convey complex ideas respectfully to a diverse audience) across differences, adept at working in groups, yet also independent thinkers.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Research Interns?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Empirical data collection: Research skills for collecting original data, analyzing the data, writing up the information collected, and presenting it in a professional manner.
What skills will help Research Interns earn the most?
Harriet Phinney Ph.D.: Anthropologists are analysts and researchers with sharp thinking skills who have the ability to collect, manage, evaluate, and interpret large volumes of data on human behavior.
Lea Theodore Ph.D.
Director, School PsychologyAdelphi University
School Psychology and Institute for Parenting and Postgraduate Certificates in Infant, Child, & Adolescent Psychotherapy
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Lea Theodore Ph.D.: The ability to have respectful communication with people in all roles: directors, supervisors, research participants, peers, and project staff. A 360-degree evaluation would show that everyone agrees that the candidate can be a good fit.
Joaniko Kohchi MPhil, LCSW, IECMH-E®
Director of the Institute for ParentingAdelphi University
School Psychology and Institute for Parenting and Postgraduate Certificates in Infant, Child, & Adolescent Psychotherapy
What skills will help Research Interns earn the most?
Joaniko Kohchi MPhil, LCSW, IECMH-E®: Entrepreneurship, creativity, initiative, integrity, perseverance, effective listening skills, good interpersonal skills, adaptability, and flexibility.
What technical skills for a Research Internship stand out to employers?
Eva Baham: History graduates often apply to law schools. Although this is a delayed profession for an undergraduate degree, there are several sources including the Law School Admissions Council (LSAC), which note that a high percentage of students with history degrees are admitted to law school. History's emphasis on research, analysis, and evidence prepare students for law school.
How have salaries changed over time for Research Interns?
Eva Baham: History graduates also account for their preparation to work in a number of positions in business.
Overall, history degrees shall serve individuals quite well, especially as the current health crisis (hopefully) comes to a close.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Eva Baham: With the hope that the economy returns to a sense of normalcy accompanied by stability in family incomes, families and individuals may seek ways to re-add a quality of life to their activities. Visits to museums (inside and outside), libraries, tourist destinations and other venues requiring information guided by sound and reputable knowledge should require individuals with a history background.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Research Internship job market given the pandemic?
Malcolm Forbes Ph.D.: Work from home will become much more normal for many people. Perhaps not 100%, but maybe 2-3 days per week. Chemists with intense lab activities might not get as much of this privilege as others.
WFH will make it easier for women with families to be hired. Companies and managers will be more tuned in to employees' mental health.
What soft skills should all Research Interns possess?
Malcolm Forbes Ph.D.: Presentation skills are key - staying up to date on new technologies will be very important (for example, there is now a way to insert yourself into a pptx file and point to things on the slide). Also multiple cameras so you can change perspectives is changing how people give talks. Writing skills are also important, but in industry "less is more" so these skills must be developed to make conciseness a priority. No one reads long emails any more, so clear, short, to the point writing is essential.
Attention to diversity and inclusion will grow - finding internal biases that may or may not be intentional, and how to eliminate or minimize their impact, will also be important.
How have salaries changed over time for Research Interns?
Malcolm Forbes Ph.D.: Academic salaries are strange. They are tied to a weird "anti-loyalty" system, where a faculty member gets a significant raise as part of a retention package based on a offer from another institution. Otherwise academic salaries at public universities stay at or just ahead of inflation (private institutions are slightly better, but not much). So this game must be played.
At some universities, faculty are unionized. In this case collective bargaining agreements ensure reasonable raises ahead of inflation every year. But this involves paying dues every month and the agreements have to be renegotiated every 3-4 years, which is time-consuming and expensive.
In chemical industry, starting salaries for PhDs have hovered around $80-100K (field dependent) for quite some time and this looks to be stable for some time to come. Bonuses have grown in size in recent years (they had stalled for some time after the 2008 economic downturn).
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Research Interns?
Dr. Monica Frazier: I would hope that it would not be enduring. However, I do realize there may be immediate impacts. Students who did not start their research until maybe the second semester of their junior year are impacted by not getting any time to participate in hands on research experiences. Not having that experience means they miss out on an opportunity to learn laboratory skills needed for certain jobs. In addition, this also impacts student one-on-one interactions with faculty which prevents faculty from really getting to know the student in a way that will inhibit the faculty from providing the employer with a more comprehensive review of the student's ability, work ethic, etc.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Research Interns?
Dr. Monica Frazier: Depends on the job.
What will help Research Interns increase their earning potential?
Dr. Monica Frazier: Unfortunately, there are not a lot of certifications available in this area on the undergraduate side. So for those people, I would say they need to get hands-on research experience, to attend and present their research at conferences and, if possible, get a publication. Having these experiences out of college will help a student increase their earning potential.