This policy recognizes that many Biological Sciences Division (BSD) graduate students wish to participate in part-time internship opportunities during their graduate education to take advantage of broad on-campus resources to enhance their exposure to potential career paths post-PhD, build and enhance their transferable skillset, build their professional network, and assist them in establishing a clear plan towards graduation and next steps. The transferable skills developed during internships - in communications, data analysis, translation of research etc. - positively impact students' dissertation work and their broader research community.
The NIH recognizes this need through Uniform Guidance 200.400(f), which requires recognition of the dual role of pre- and post-doctoral staff in research positions that further their training and career development, regardless of official 'training' designations. Kirschstein-NRSA fellows may devote up to 25% effort (typically 10 hours/week) to incidental employment that doesn't interfere with thesis research. Current BSD requirements include two registered TA-ships (10 hrs/week each, with one potentially substituted by TA training). With the approval of their advisor, senior students have the option of doing myCHOICE internships which are 10 hrs/week, unpaid, mentored experiences worth 0.5 credits.
Policy Guidelines
Part-time professional experiences requiring ≥5 hrs/week (paid or unpaid) must comply with this policy. These include myCHOICE internships, on-campus/off-campus internships, additional TA-ships beyond requirements, non-dissertation research assistantships, relevant elective courses, Chicago Center for Teaching and Learning fellowships, and Polsky Center innovation programs.
Key parameters:
- Recommended: ≤10 hrs/week (matching TA/myCHOICE standards)
- Maximum: 15 hrs/week
- Limit: 3 part-time quarter-long professional experiences beyond the standard TA-ship requirement.
- Participation prohibited after 6th year (24th quarter)
Approval Process
Students must first approach their thesis advisor for permission (program chair for those without thesis labs). myCHOICE internships require formal thesis advisor sign-off. In cases of disagreement, students may submit a written petition to their thesis committee and program chair (with program administrator copied) containing: the experience's nature and start date; weekly time commitment including travel; weeks of activity; productivity maintenance plan; and career value rationale.
Evaluation considerations: the student's thesis stage and progress; ability to manage competing demands as evidenced by their academic history and current workload; synergy between experience and dissertation; and career development potential. Concerns about conflicts of interest should be referred to the Associate Dean for Education, Graduate Education for review.