Hello, my name is Drande and I am a final-year MSci Physics with Theoretical Physics student. I am now confident that I want to pursue a career in research and academia, but I wasn't always this sure.
During the summer of my third year, I had the opportunity to explore this path through a research internship in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Nottingham. My project focused on intracluster light (ICL), under the supervision of Prof Nina Hatch and Dr Jesse Golden-Marx. It was a valuable experience, which allowed me to apply what I'd learned during my degree to tackle real research questions, through developing code and engaging with current literature.
A highlight of the internship was being part of the wider ICL collaboration, which included researchers from around the world. Attending meetings, seminars and discussions made me feel a part of the scientific community. These interactions, alongside guidance from postdocs and PhD students, helped me see what a future in research could look like. It wasn't just the project itself that inspired me, but also the people I worked with. Their passion for their work and their willingness to share knowledge made a huge impact on me.
It was also the first time I really saw myself as a physicist in a professional setting. While I had great guidance from my team, I was expected to work independently, contribute ideas and present my finding, including a final presentation of my results. This experience was a major confidence boost and confirmed that I could hold my own in a research environment.
Overall, the internship gave me not only experience, but also clarity. It solidified my ambition to follow this career path and gave me the confidence that I belong in this space. For anyone considering this route, or even just curious about it, I cannot recommend a research internship enough. These is no better way to explore whether this is the right track for you, then to try it out.