SoM Career Center (SoMCC) Internship Actions

An internship can provide unique opportunities to gain meaningful and practical work

experience. This document highlights the steps, policies, resources, and concerns that trainees

should be aware of when considering internship opportunities.

The SoMCC recommends that trainees discuss concerns with their relevant advisors and connect

with appropriate offices including: Department Student Services Administrators, Financial Aid,

Vaden, and Housing.

SoMCC career counselors can assist by supporting trainees via: internship search strategy,

review of internship offers, negotiation strategy, and clear direction on relevant policies.

Speak with your Research and Academic Advisor

Participation in an internship takes time away from your academic work and requires approval

from your research and academic advisors. Starting a conversation with your advisor, at least 3

months in advance, will assist you in navigating deadlines. The SoMCC can assist by discussing

this conversation with you in advance.

Consider and discuss the following with your research and academic advisors: funding concerns,

internship role, potential skills gained, plan for managing your duties while you are gone, and

potential changes to your academic goals.

Leave of Absence

Trainees who pursue full-time internships, especially those including a paid stipend or salary,

are encouraged to take a leave of absence from their academic program. A leave of absence for

an internship opportunity is typically 10-12 weeks, or one quarter.

Conditions and restrictions about leaves of absence vary for Postdocs, MDs, and PhDs.

Graduate Student Leaves of Absence:

exploredegrees.stanford.edu/graduatedegrees/#leavereinstatementtext

Postdoc Leaves of Absence:

postdocs.stanford.edu/admin/how-to/leave.html

MD Leaves of Absence:

med.stanford.edu/md/mdhandbook/section-3-9-leaves-of-absenceand-reinstatement.html

Funding

Trainees aren’t eligible to receive funds from an internship and Stanford for the same time

period. When considering a leave of absence, be aware that funding sources may have policies

directly related to internships and leaves of absence. Consult with your program administrator

and program advisor regarding the specific policies for your funding source.

Salaries vary by sector and type of duties performed. We recommend that trainees accept an

offer that allows them to maintain their current standard of living. While no guarantees can be

made regarding compensation, the SoMCC can assist with negotiation strategy.

Housing: rde.stanford.edu/studenthousing/

Trainees who take a leave of absence during summer are typically eligible for housing.

If the leave of absence takes place during the non-summer quarters, trainees may request a

"vacation quarter.” Trainees must have enrolled the previous 3 terms, including summer, and

plan to enroll the following term to be eligible. Consult the Student Housing website for

additional information.

Health Insurance: See links to health insurance below, based on your Stanford affiliation.

PhD and MD Students: vaden.stanford.edu/insurance/cardinal-care

A trainee who takes a leave of absence prior to attending class in the autumn base term will

not be eligible to enroll in Cardinal Care for autumn, or any continuous quarters while on

leave. Upon return, trainees will be automatically enrolled in Cardinal Care for the

remainder of the academic year unless enrollment is waived by the applicable deadline.

A trainee who is enrolled in Cardinal Care and takes a leave of absence after the first day of

class in any given quarter will remain enrolled in Cardinal Care through the remainder of

the academic year (8/31.) Trainees can’t opt-out of Cardinal Care if they have already

enrolled in the program for the year.

Postdocs: benefits.stanford.edu/postdocs

Faculty mentors are not required to pay for Stanford medical insurance coverage for their

postdocs while they are on an approved unpaid leave of absence. A postdoc in this instance

may elect to consider one of the following options:

Waive the Stanford medical plan after showing proof of coverage to the Postdoc Benefits

Coordinator in accordance with University Policy, and applicable visa regulations.

Continue on the Stanford medical plan and arrange with the department that the postdoc

will pay for it during the leave period.

Special Notes for International Students

Bechtel International Center: icenter.stanford.edu/

International students considering internships should consult with the Bechtel International

Center to ensure proper maintenance of their visa status.

SoM Career Center (SoMCC) Internship Checklist

This checklist is designed to assist SoM trainees who are pursuing internships by highlighting

specific action items to complete before accepting an internship offer. Trainees that desire

additional assistance are encouraged to meet with a SoMCC career counselor.

SoMCC Resources

Email: somcareers@stanford.edu

Web: http://med.stanford.edu/careercenter/

SciMedCareers (job/internships, make coaching appointments): tinyurl.com/SciMedSoM

Internship considerations

Register with SciMed Careers (tinyurl.com/SciMedSoM)

Review internship opportunities in SciMed Careers

Schedule a career counseling appointment with the SoMCC

Research options based on your needs (funding, skill development, and interests)

Craft a targeted resume or cv and cover letter

Practice interviewing for possible opportunities

Review internship offer: start/end date, hours, compensation, duties, and goals

Academic considerations

Start conversation with your research or academic advisor at least 3 months in advance

of a start date regarding internship possibilities

Discuss with research or academic advisor to determine viability of a leave of absence

o Draft a plan for how your duties will be completed while you are gone

o Discuss how you will return to the lab upon completion of internship

Financial considerations

Determine a suitable internship salary to maintain your living arrangements

Consult a department administrator to determine possible impact on your funding

Miscellaneous considerations

Consult with Vaden Health Center to determine your health insurance eligibility

Consult with Stanford R&D&E regarding continued housing eligibility

SoMCC Internship Agreement form

An internship opportunity can assist in the development of new skills to bring back to the lab, the

identification of career of choice options, exposure to new technologies, and the opportunity to network

with professionals in different sectors.

Communicating early with your supervisor, program administrator, and program advisor regarding an

internship is a key to your success. We recommend starting conversations at least three months in

advance of an internship to ensure adherence to both internal and external deadlines.

For specific information regarding policies and resources related to funding, housing, health insurance,

and leaves of absence, refer to the SoMCC Internship Actions and Internship Checklist forms. Further,

trainees and university staff and faculty are advised to contact the SoMCC should questions arise.

The purpose of this agreement is to ensure that the trainee and the university discuss and agree upon

critical factors that will minimize impact to both the trainee and department. You are encouraged to use

this document to assist you in reviewing and discussing your transition.

Please use the backside of this form to state agreements regarding funding, leave of absence, transition

in laboratory, health insurance, and housing. Provide as much detail as possible to ensure clarity.

Retain a copy of this document for yourself and file a copy with the SoM Career Center.

Trainee Information

Name_______________________________ Email___________________________

Phone number____________________ Department______________________

Advisor/PI Information

Name_______________________________ Email___________________________

Phone number____________________ Department______________________

For questions, please consult the SoMCC for assistance related to your concerns.

Email: somcareers@stanford.edu

Web: http://med.stanford.edu/careercenter/

Based on our conversation, the following agreements have been made regarding:

Funding:

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Leave of Absence (dates of

absence)_____________________________________________________________________

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Housing:

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Insurance:

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Transition (Who is responsible for lab duties? What can/will I contribute from my

internship experience upon my return?

____________________________________________________________________________

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Date:__________________________________________________________________

Trainee Signature:_______________________________________________________

PI/Advisor Signature:_____________________________________________________

Department Administrator Signature: _______________________________________