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Undergraduate Resources
Our CMIST undergraduates don't just learn, they experience. Our dedicated faculty and staff will guide you through a variety of programs that equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed. With multiple opportunities to engage in experiential learning, actively conduct research, and practice the professional skills you need in the workplace, you will be well-prepared for the next step in your academic or career trajectory.
Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program
The Carnegie Mellon University Washington Semester Program (CMU/WSP) provides undergraduate students from any major the opportunity to gain real-world experience by spending a full semester in Washington, DC. Students complete an internship while taking classes on public policy, American politics, governance, institutions, and law with CMU faculty.
In addition to developing professional and networking skills while applying what they learn in class to their internship experience, students who complete CMU/WSP are well-positioned to earn the minor in politics and public policy and are eligible to apply for the accelerated version of the Master of Science in Security, Technology, and International Relations (MS STAIR-AMP), a unique opportunity for current CMU students to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree within five years.
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Research for Credit
Don't just learn from research, learn to conduct it!
In addition to research done in the regular course of their studies, the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology (CMIST) offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of our faculty members through CMIST’s Undergraduate Research for Credit course. Students enrolled in this course earn between 3-9 units.
Interested in doing research for credit? Please review the list of research topics with open positions, and contact the CMIST professor directly to discuss the opportunity that interests you. Once you and the faculty member agree to work together, you will complete the research for credit form, and the Deputy Director for Academic Affairs will register you for the course.
Presidents of the Americas since Independence
with Prof. Ignacio Arana
Professor Arana is working on expanding his Presidential Database of the Americas to include detailed biographical information about all the American and Latin American national leaders who have governed since independence. Assistance is welcome to extract biographical information about presidents, especially for those who governed during the 1800-1945 period. Assistants will gain experience in data collection and learning about political leadership since independence.
Coup Plots, Coups D'etat, and US Military Exercises
with Prof. John Chin
Prof. Chin is seeking research assistants for one or more political science research projects. One project involves investigating the sordid post-World War II history of coup plots (conspiracies to depose leaders that are not actually attempted, perhaps because the regime discovered and thwarted them). A second project involves research and writing historical narratives coup attempts before World War II. A third project involves coding data on U.S. Joint Military Exercises since the 1970s. Other projects related to self-coups, democratic backsliding, and/or civil resistance and nonviolent revolutions may be available upon inquiry.
The Digital Front of Modern Conflicts
with Prof. Nadiya Kostyuk
Prof. Kostyuk is working on the project aimed at understanding the digital front of modern conflict. Using the cases of Ukraine and Israel, Dr. Kostyuk seeks to elucidate the activities occurring in the digital realm and their impact on battlefield dynamics and effectiveness. This research leverages data from published news reports and technical indicators. Responsibilities of research assistants include a variety of tasks: (1) conducting literature reviews or case studies; (2) scrapping texts from online sources and extracting necessary variables (for students with a background in machine learning); and (3) performing (preliminary) data analysis and creating visualizations. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in cyber conflict.
Military Veterans and US Elections
with Prof. Nicole Kliewer
Recent US elections have ushered in a wave of congressional candidates with military backgrounds, raising questions about the role of military service in elections and implications for civil-military relations. Do these candidates discuss occupations at higher rates, are they more likely to win primaries, and are they able to solicit more donations earlier in their candidacies? Prof. Kliewer project aims to answer these questions and build a greater understanding of how military group membership and identity contribute to former service members’ political participation. Assistance is welcome in three areas: database expansion of US military candidates, comparison of campaign rhetoric based on military vs. non-military background, and collecting, consolidating, and, if interested, analyzing data on campaign contributions. There may also be opportunities regarding Congressional behavior and data visualizationupon inquiry.
The State Cybersecurity Organizations and Policies (SCOP) Database
with Prof. Nadiya Kostyuk
The State Cybersecurity Organizations and Policies (SCOP) database is an ongoing effort aimed at documenting the evolution of state cybersecurity institutions. The beta version of this dataset has been completed, and Prof. Kostyuk is currently seeking research assistants (RAs) to assist in finalizing version 1.0. Responsibilities of RAs include: (1) verifying existing sources and adding new sources through online searches; (2) participating in interviews with government officials involved in cybersecurity; (3) performing (preliminary) data analysis and creating visualizations. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals interested in contributing to a significant project in the field of cybersecurity and gaining valuable research experience.
Questions?
Meet with Emily Half
Participating in undergraduate research offers a multitude of benefits. You'll forge connections with faculty, explore a field in detail, and boost your resume while applying classroom knowledge in real-world settings. Research also provides valuable preparation for graduate school and/or future employment.While some projects might require specific preparation, others welcome students at all levels. We encourage all of our students to consider research as part of your undergraduate experience.
Not sure how research for credit works or fits into your fall schedule? Contact Emily Half, CMIST Deputy Director, with questions.
Additional Student Research Resources
Dietrich College Senior Honors Program
Through the Dietrich College Senior Honors Program students complete an honors thesis and graduate with College Honors. For more information contact Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies, Joseph Devine.
Meeting of the Minds
An annual undergraduate research symposium organized by the Undergraduate Research Office each spring. All students engaged in undergraduate research are encouraged to apply.
Research Training for Undergraduates
Through this academic course, qualified first- and second-year students have the opportunity to work directly with a Dietrich faculty member on an ongoing research project. For more information contact Deputy Director Emily Half.
SURA
The Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship (SURA) course awards tuition-free elective credit to first-year and sophomore undergraduates at Carnegie Mellon for existing faculty projects focused on undergraduate research or creative inquiry under the direction of a Carnegie Mellon faculty member.
SURG, SURF, ISURG
Small Undergraduate Research Grants (SURG), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), and International Small Undergraduate Research Grants (ISURG) are offered by Carnegie Mellon University's Undergraduate Research Office, these grants and fellowships provide funding for undergraduate students to pursue research in any discipline.
Undergraduate Summer Research (99-409)
This 1-unit tuition-free course allows undergraduate students from all fields to participate in research under the direction of a CMU faculty member. Prior to enrolling, students should have previously participated in summer research via the Summer Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship and/or the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship. For more information visit the Office of the Vice Provost for Education website.
Coursework & Workshops
CMIST goes beyond textbooks to prepare students for the working world. In addition to ongoing advising support, CMIST students have access to mini courses designed to foster professional development and facilitate professional growth. Offered by Haleigh Bartos, associate professor of the practice, these courses cover specific, in-demand skills such as briefing as well as how to successfully navigate everything from the application process and to handling challenges that arise on the job. Additionally, CMIST faculty host workshops that complement students' academic studies, equipping them with the skills they need to succeed.
84-215
Tomorrow’s Professionals
84-460
Mapping the Future
This seniors-only seminar is tailored to graduating CMIST students, helping them identify job opportunities, increase their marketability, and take the next steps toward their professional goals in careers related to international relations, government, politics, and policy.
84-252
Briefing in the Policy World
Briefing is a critical skill as it is the most direct and formal means of communication with the policy and or decision maker. One successful brief can fast-track a career, identify you as a subject-matter-expert, and open dialogue with customers—helping build important relationships in the policy world.
Internship Resources
Internships provide real-world experiences that help students explore their career interests, build up their networks, and gain the skills they need to both launch and successfully navigate their careers post graduation. From deciding where to apply to intentionally reflecting on how they have grown over the course of the internship, CMIST staff and faculty support CMIST students at every stage of the process, ensuring successful placements whether a student’s interests and skillset take them to Capitol Hill, a nonprofit organization, or the private sector.
For those seeking internships in Washington, D.C, CMIST offers specialized assistance including the opportunity to meet with the Washington Program Manager to develop a search strategy, set up a mock interview, or to discuss D.C.-specific internship funding opportunities.
All CMIST undergraduate students receive a handpicked collection of internship and entry-level job openings through the weekly “Internship & Entry-Level Position Roundup” newsletter (biweekly in the summer). A collaborative effort between our CMIST offices in Pittsburgh and Washington, DC, this newsletter also features scholarship opportunities and professional development resources.
As students of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), CMIST undergraduate students also gain access to several resources to help them find internships tailored to their interests and network with CMU alumni.
Graduate Resources
Our CMIST graduate students are professionally-oriented with an eye towards strategically shaping their future job prospects. Our masters degrees are professional programs, and we focus on career preparation for the duration of the program, beginning at orientation. With the help of our dedicated faculty and staff, you will have access to a variety of supportive programming motivated towards helping you find success after graduation and beyond.
MITS Capstone
During the Master of Information Technology Strategy (MITS) capstone project, students synthesize and test workable solutions for a particular organization's specific needs over a period of 14 weeks. To support students completing these projects, CMIST offers a workshop that meets once a week during the capstone period and culminates in a final presentation in which they share their recommended solutions. Facilitated by the graduate program manager and open only to those students who have been accepted into the MITS program, this workshop provides students with a laboratory space to apply concepts from their core courses, articulate lessons learned, and strategize the next steps in their career trajectory.
Graduate Workshops
Internship Resources
Internships provide real-world experiences that help students apply their classroom learning to current challenges, build-up their networks, sharpen the in-demand skills that employers need, and gain experience that will help them plan the next steps in their careers post-graduation.
From identifying opportunities aligned with their coursework and career goals to reflecting on their curricular experiences and integrating lessons learned, CMIST staff and faculty support CMIST students throughout the internship process.
In addition to the professional development opportunities listed above, CMIST graduate students also get a curated list of internship openings delivered straight to their inbox. Put together in collaboration between our Pittsburgh and DC CMIST offices, this internship and entry-level position roundup is program-specific and sent on a weekly or biweekly basis. As students of Carnegie Mellon University, CMIST graduate students also gain access to the following:
