Student Resources
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
The Montana Space Grant Consortium is committed to integrating research ethics education into the research experience. Students funded by MSGC are required to complete a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training course in their field of research. This training can be accessed through the CITI program.
How to Register for CITI Training
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Navigate to the CITI website: https://www.citiprogram.org
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From the CITI homepage, you can either log-in (if you have a CITI account) or create a new account. Be sure to register as an MSU student. MSU subscribes to this training service - if you register with your university affiliation the training will come at no cost to you!
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When creating your account (right hand side of page), you do NOT have to register for CME/CEU credits.
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Select the RCR course, you are not required to take the conflicts of interest course. You will have a number of course options to choose from, including:
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Biomedical Sciences
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Engineering
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Humanities
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Physical Sciences
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Social Sciences & Education
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Select the option that BEST represents the field you are researching*
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Keep track of your certificate of completion – Submit this to the MSGC office upon completion.
STEM Student Professional Skill Symposium
Each summer MSGC holds a professional skill symposium to increase students presence for opportunities through developing their skills. Educators, mentors, and faculty can schedule a symposium. We encourage students to attend!
Learn more about our Professional Skill Symposia!
Assisting Professional Applications
A personal statement is required for all summer internships. In your personal statement, include what you hope to get out of a MSGC summer internship. If you're applying to be a peer-leader, describe your planned leadership actions.
Typically, a personal statement outline looks like this:
- Opening paragraph (open with a story that relates to your chosen career path)
- A few paragraphs on your skills and knowledge that relate to the application—and how that benefits the mentor and research
- Your life goals and how you see this internship getting you there
- Closing statement which refers back to your story and wraps it all up
MSGC has done sessions on STEM Resumes in their STEM Student Professional Skill Symposia. Content can be found on the Student Resources page. You can review the slides or the video. Let us know if you have any questions. msgc@montana.edu
Ask for LOR early in your application process. This gives the recommender time to plan and think about your letter intentionally.
The most impactful letter usually come from a professor. You can ask in person, but you should follow up with an email. Here is a template that you can modify:
Subject: Recommendation for ___ (First and Last Name) ___
Dear Professor ____________,
My name is _________________ and I was in your [BLANK] course during fall 20__.
I am applying to internships with Montana Space Grant Consortium and I am writing to ask if you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. I am requesting a letter from you because you helped to inspire me to further pursue the field of [YOUR FIELD] and you were extremely helpful when I had questions about the course as well as with ideas for research. Your course made me think more deeply about research and I appreciated your direct and unique approach to instruction.
My application, with letters of recommendations are due February 28th, 2025 and I would greatly appreciate a letter for me. I am attaching my resume for you to review. If you agree, I will submit your information in the online recommendation form. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your time.
Full Name
Student ID# ______________
[UNIVERSITY] E-mail:_______________
Phone: ___________________
Another option is using an AI tool such as https://www.recombuilder.com/.
Top Tips for STEM Undergraduates
- Get involved in research ASAP. More time means better experiences. Research often starts by simply attending research group meetings.
- Research groups will fight over you. If you’re passionate and a hard worker, don’t worry about getting offered an opportunity, no matter your year or level of experience.
- Hands-on experience rules. If you need to spend longer than four years and/or get less than a 4.0 GPA to do meaningful hands-on undergraduate research/projects, it’s worth it.
- Push your boundaries in your research work. It’s okay to fail and make mistakes. That’s what school is for. If you’re not making mistakes, you’re not trying hard enough.
- Be of service. It’s a proven fact that in helping others you help yourself. Tutor someone, do an hour a week in a help center, volunteer with Science Olympiad and FIRST robotics, offer to mentor a middle school or high school Science Bowl team.
- Make STEM areas relevant. Fight the stereotype that technical people can’t talk at an average level. When your friends give you THAT incredulous look when you say you’re a physics (etc.) major, have a story ready about why you like physics that’s sure to get them nodding/laughing along. Talk to your friends and family about what’s currently fascinating you. It’s contagious.
- Find a mentor. A mentor doesn’t have to be your research or academic advisor, just someone with more experience that you identify with. And it certainly doesn’t need to be formal. Mentorship can form over a series of chats or question sessions.
- Give it a try, then ask. Chances are that if you have a question so do others. In the lab, that’s not to say you shouldn’t try to figure it out first, but if you’re stuck, the quicker you’re unstuck the quicker you can make progress.
- Form study groups. As your coursework gets tougher, banding together will help. Make sure everyone’s invited. Then go do something fun together.
- Stick with it or rip off the band aid. Most STEM majors have at least three times during college that they think about changing majors or giving up. If it’s because it’s hard but you really enjoy the subject: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” If it’s because you think you might actually be more passionate about a different major, rip off the band aid and ask your mentor and/or advisor to help you make the change.
- Go to career fair before you’re actively seeking an internship or a job. That way it won’t feel foreign when it counts.
- Join a professional organization. There’s one for almost every field – IEEE, APS, etc.
- Present your work. If it doesn’t get communicated it didn’t happen.
- Do creative activities. As Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge.”
- Help is available in all areas. Mental, career, tutoring… take advantage.
- Have fun. You’re only in college once!