The research also discovered that the most popular choices for summer vacation work are short-term money-spinners, such as bar and restaurant work (23 per cent) and shop work (16 per cent). Students' plans for summer vacation work, however, are not solely led by short-term financial concerns. Many students point out that they appreciate the longer-term importance of vacation employment in securing work experience.
Summer vacation work is very popular in European and American countries and starts gaining popularity all over the world. Let us take BMS University, as an example. In the other universities and scientific societies the process is similar in many details.
First, there are some obligatory requirements in every university. They are differ from one another, but the main principles stay the same. Student vacation work or studentships are available within some departments during the summer vacation. In this university students must be at the end of level two or level three at the start of the project. Very important question is funding. It is obtained partly from the department. This year they are hoping to provide funds for three studentships. In addition, funding can be provided by a number of Funding bodies and Societies. All studentships are awarded in competition. Therefore students should have the equivalent of a 2:1 or higher in their module marks.
How one can get this studentship? It is not impossible, but rather difficult and demands much enthusiasm and effort. First step is to visit the university or just its online webpage and view the list of available projects. It is situated in the right hand box, which is named 'Projects on Offer'.
Then, one should decide which project suits them best. Actually, you may choose up to 5 projects from listed, but these must be ranked. Visiting the past projects section will help you to get a feel for what you could be doing during a project. As option one may contact those academic members of staff whose projects he or she is interested in for further information.
The next serious step is to complete the on-line application form and submit by 5 o' clock on the 3rd of January 2006. This is a deadline.
One very important note is that students who are not studying at Sheffield are encouraged to apply too, but should contact Dr Robson in the first instance. However, Sheffield students should also contact Dr Robson.
Of course, there is wide range of universities, which offer student vacation work. Especially many offering are in the field of microbiology. There is no doubt that some microbiology related work experience is a useful addition to your CV but it can be quite hard to find. Some of the larger companies who recruit microbiologists employ undergraduates in the summer vacation work. The ABPI maintains an up to date list of pharmaceutical industry recruiters including companies offering summer vacation work. These placements are very popular, so you should plan early since application deadlines are often in January or February. There are a few organizations, which offer funds to support summer vacation work in research laboratories.
The Society for General Microbiology offers grants to Society members to fund penultimate year undergraduate students undertaking an 8-week research project on a microbiological topic in the summer vacation. It is paid summer vacation work. The deadline for applications is in February each year. Applications should be made by academic supervisors, who must be SGM members.
There are some other organizations providing vacation work. They are The Nuffield Foundation, The Wellcome Trust provides Vacation Scholarships to encourage undergraduates with an interest in biomedical research, SfAM (Society for Applied Microbiology) runs a "students into work" scheme each year. The Biochemical Society also offers a few vacation studentships of 6 - 10 weeks.
Many kinds of student vacation work are administered by the College of Science and Engineering Office. Among them are Weir Fund for Field Studies directed at independent fieldwork, Barnson Bequest, Mackay Greenland Fund supporting geological expeditions, Carnegie Vacation Scholarships, British Association Travel Fund providing grants for travelling and other authorised expenses of advanced students (preferably Honours students) in Science and Engineering at the University.
Announcements of other grants, prizes awards can be founded on the College web site.
There are many areas in which young talented people can try yourself during summer vacation. And probably there is no need to enumerate advantages of such projects as they are quite obvious.