Wright Scholar Research Assistant Program

Wright Scholar research assistant Kudos

MENTOR FEEDBACK
I absolutely recommend him to return next summer and keep him in the AFRL hire pipeline. He has the highest recommendation I can give--one of the top three chemistry students I have had during my career.
I wanted to let you know that two of last year's Wright Scholars are published authors now! Their work was the foundation for a paper at the Computers and People Research Conference.
Our scholar did exceptional work and left us with a tool that we are actively using for research here in RQHA.
I would like to recommend both our interns to return to work in AFRL. These students are hard workers, and motivated, with good attitudes. Thank you for the opportunity to work with them.
We think our intern did excellent work and we definitely feel it would be in the Air Force’s best interest to bring him back next year.
I recommend the return of our intern next summer. She was an amazing team member, and I was very impressed with her lab work and leadership skills this summer.
My Wright Scholar intern was professionalism and he did quality of work. I recommend an electrical engineering mentor in the future to develop his skill sets.
My interns were fantastic. I would love for all of them to return next Summer. Their work ethic and their excitement to learn will take them far and I highly recommend hiring them.
Please allow my interns to return next year and would be thrilled to have him back. Both students were highly intelligent, capable, and displayed motivation and willingness to learn and ask questions.
Thank you for all you help in organizing this year’s Wright Scholars. We are always so impressed with the caliber of students that we are paired with.
Our intern has worked with us for three summers now and he has been great every summer; it has been great to see him mature as a person and as a researcher. We would obviously like to have him join our lab after graduating college.
I wanted to thank Wright Scholar for sending us such an excellent student. He was constantly engaged in the topic area of metal deformation.
He performed above and beyond of what I expected for age group (just out of high school).
Our high school scholar performed on a graduate student level and was always looking for additional opportunities to learn.
My intern successfully analyzed electron backscatter diffraction data to understand crystal orientation relative to the specimen loading axes as well as performed focused ion beam microscopy for preparing samples for transmission electron microscopy--amazing performer.
It can be tough to assess student’s skills with so little work experience. That said, I saw growth between the scholar’s first and second year. That’s why I’m supportive of him coming back.
FORMER SCHOLAR FEEDBACK
The lecture series speakers were very beneficial, and I learned about many different aspects of science and engineering fields.
This was the most fulfilling internship I have ever had as I felt I was doing meaningful work.
Amazing opportunity to do true research and contribute to scientific knowledge.
The program offers excellent insight into research and STEM fields in general.
This program allows exploration of several potential career paths while showing what it is like to be a part of an engineering/STEM workforce.
I really enjoyed getting hands-on experience by working on a project which I found very interesting.
I just want to thank my mentor and program manager so much for the effort and time in supporting my SMART Scholarship Application. It means a lot to me, and I am excited to see the results!
I highly respect my boss, not just as a mentor or engineer, but as a person too. He dedicates all his time and effort to his work and to me. My mentor is someone I am striving to become!
My mentor this summer has greatly affected my internship experience, research, and career decisions all for the better. This is my second year as a Wright Scholar. Earlier when I received the opportunity to come back to intern, I knew straight away that I wanted my previous mentor.
I loved working with researchers and small teams; the skillset provided was incredible, and I learned so much.
My mentor has been extremely dedicated to me. In fact, my mentor has gone above and beyond. Once he knew that I was returning for another summer, he started preparing for me right away and reached out to inform me of my project and the research I would be doing.
I most enjoyed being able to work with my mentor and his lab group on meaningful research.
Once the internship began, my mentor ensured I was engaged in meaningful projects that aligned with my interests and career goals. His thoughtful preparation and ongoing support made the transition into the internship smooth and stress-free.
Liked being able to apply scientific knowledge and concepts outside the classroom.
I loved being able to collaborate with scientists and engineers on projects I am passionate about. Such experiences allowed me to foster lasting relationships and enhance my understanding of STEM topics. I gained exposure to cutting-edge technology and learned a lot about my future career field.
During my internship, my mentor provided invaluable guidance that significantly enhanced my learning experience. Before I even started, he sent me reference materials related to his project, which eased my nervousness and allowed me to prepare effectively.
This dedicated mentor has played a crucial role in shaping my educational and career decisions. Through our discussions and intern experience, I realized that engineering is my passion, and this experience strengthened my interest in the field. I am now determined to pursue engineering in college, possibly electrical engineering, just like AFRL mentor.
I gained exposure to cutting-edge technology and learned a lot about my future career field.
My plan is currently set on joining Air Force ROTC and becoming an officer and pursuing a developmental engineer career, and I enjoyed the chance to talk to a current engineering officers about their experience and advice.
Under my mentors, I was able to contribute to a significant research project on testing thermoelectric generators. Constructive feedback and encouragement were pivotal in developing my research skills and producing quality work.
My mentor frequently provided lectures and detailed explanations related to our lab projects, breaking down complex concepts into easily understandable terms. This enabled me to grasp the project at both a higher level and in intricate detail.
While working with another intern, our AFRL mentors made the summer internship not only educational but also highly enjoyable.
His mentor’s advice was instrumental in my decision-making process, and I am confident that his guidance will continue to positively my career journey.
My mentor remains a patient, generous, and essential guide as I started my first year in this exciting internship program. Despite the myriad of questions and requests I ask of her; she always responds with a composed and understanding attitude that I strive to emulate.
As an out-of-state high school junior, who has never worked at any company before, in the beginning of the internship, I was struggling with crucial aspects of research, but my mentor provided me with real leadership and the support I needed to be successful.
As a scholar if was key to communicate with my mentor and she and I talked several times a day to discuss results, potential improvements, and next steps--it was a great experience.
PROGAM DATA
Since program onset in 2002, over 900 Wright Scholars have been hired from over 100 school districts. Many have graduated from college or are attending a university majoring in engineering, science, and medical career fields.
Of students tracked through the years, 86% pursued or are pursuing science or engineering careers and 10% pursued or are pursuing medical careers, while 4% pursued other fields like finance or business.