What are summer English research internships like?

[englishtchr3]

Long story short -- I'm in the process of getting my BA in Secondary English Education.  I definitely want to be a teacher, but I'd like a taste of what the academic research experience is like.  And someday I might like to teach in a private school, so it would be nice to have research experience or a publication on my resume/CV.

 

I would like to do an (volunteer) research internship with an English Lit professor this summer.  I have a few questions though:

 

1. Do English professors even TAKE students for research assistants??

 

2.If so, then what type of work would research assistants do?

 

3.  If I am working for this professor for only one summer (like 2 months), is that too short of a time to get any sort of credit on a publication?

 

4. Although my passion is teaching, but I also have a keen interest in scholarship, and would LOVE to publish my own paper in a  journal.  Is there any way I could make this happen? E.g. Independent study?  (I'll note that after this summer I have only ONE semester left before I graduate, and I don't have any opportunity to take more literature classes because I am taking English Education classes.)

[Imaginary]

Hi,

 

Depending on where you are, I would say it's fairly unlikely that you will be able to find a research internship over the summer. These opportunities tend to be during the school year, and they are often reserved for current graduate students. Don't be discouraged, though! Contact people and ask. Also, there are certain summer opportunities such as the IHS Young Scholars Research Assistantship. 

 

Research assistants usually perform literature searches and help edit the work. 

 

I can't really speak to getting credit on a publication.. my understanding is that unless you go to a research institution that specifically prepares undergraduate students for undergraduate work, it's really rare for undergrads to get published. 

 

If you might want to work in a private school, consider Phillips Exeter. I was just taking a look at their school, and they seem great. There is an English teaching position open now, plus they offer summer work and internships. I'm also aware of Cranbrook and a few others. 

 

Good luck!