You can be a STEM researcher at Wake Tech!

Get hands-on research skills, mentoring with experienced professionals and work experience to strengthen your transfer application.

• Explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers
• Strengthen your career competency
• Conduct undergraduate STEM research
• Kick-start networking within the STEM community

Program structure

Semester 1: START-CCM Career Connections Experience

Students accepted into the START Program begin their experience by participating in the Career Connections Mentorship (CCM) Program.

Through CCM, students have one-on-one monthly mentoring sessions with experienced professionals receiving guidance, support and real-world insights to help navigate their career paths. By fostering meaningful professional relationships, CCM strengthens career competencies – professionalism and work ethics, communication and teamwork, critical thinking, and time management – builds confidence and enhances overall professional development.

Mentoring sessions may take place either online or in person, at the discretion of the mentor. Information regarding meeting times is provided after the start of the semester, once students have been paired with a mentor.

Additional assignments and training are required, most of which can be completed remotely. In-person events, such as networking events, career fairs and community road trips, are also available, allowing students to select opportunities that align with their goals. Locations vary across Wake Tech campuses, and some events may also take place off campus. A monthly calendar of events is provided.

Participants are classified as START interns and are paid $15 per hour for up to 40 hours of work during the semester. Successful completion of the START-CCM Program allows students to transition directly into a START research project.

Semester 2: STEM Research and Mentorship

As returning START interns, students receive priority matching for research projects, choosing from a range of STEM topics designed to explore specific research questions. Each project is led by a faculty mentor and may include multiple student participants.

Projects take place across Wake Tech campuses, with some requiring travel to off-campus locations. Days and times are determined after the start of the semester. All available details can be found in the project descriptions.

Through hands-on research and engagement with the STEM community, students enrich their academic experience while developing skills that enhance their competitiveness in higher education and the STEM workforce by:

• Learning to operate specialized instruments
• Conducting experiments
• Analyzing data
• Presenting research findings at Wake Tech's START Intern Showcase
• Presenting at undergraduate research conferences

Students also may have specialized STEM-related campus tours and the opportunity to work on research projects from partner institutions. Participants are classified as START interns and are paid $15 per hour for up to 60 hours of work during the semester.

START applications

The application window for the Fall 2026 semester opens March 30 and closes at 10 a.m. June 15. If you are already a START intern, you do not need to reapply. Applicants who applied for Spring 2026 are not eligible at this time, but may reapply for consideration in Spring 2027.

If you want to be notified as soon as the application window opens, submit an interest form.

Eligibility requirements

Students applying to the program should aspire to transfer to a four-year university and be interested in a future career or degree program related to STEM. Other requirements include the following:

• Enrolled as a Wake Tech student during the internship
• At least 18 years old
• Legally eligible to work in the U.S.
• Able to dedicate at least 30 hours per semester to the CCM program and complete required assignments and training
• Able to dedicate 60 hours per semester to the START internship (40 hours of research, 15 hours for a weekly seminar, five hours of campus tours and community building), along with presenting your research poster at the START Intern Showcase
• Willing to participate in an evaluation study related to the grant

NOTE: Students who applied for a START internship in the previous semester but weren't selected are ineligible to apply.

Questions? Email [email protected]