Student Involvement

Be a part of, and contribute to the growth of, a mission-driven and future-focused organization on the Behrend campus.

Participate in an exciting Open Lab learning experience that enhances your resume, complements your education, and makes you a valued member of a close-knit team.

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Intro Video

Positions

List of job positions that the organization is seeking:

Immersive Attendants

    • Assisting in the facilitation of immersive experiences and managing devices.

Immersive Creators

    • Creating immersive content using a variety of creation technologies.

Student Researchers

    • Conducting research on immersive topics, including Digital Mental Health, Technology Accessibility, and Impact on Supply Chains.

Programmers (multiple units)

    • Utilizing various coding languages to create custom programs for research and UX design.

Public Relations Assistant (multiple units)

    • Engaging in Social Media Management and Content Writing to effectively share the organization’s story.

Remote Pilots

    • Becoming FAA certified Remote Pilots and handling missions for various projects.

*These positions are generally able to be flexible around school schedules.

*All of these positions are in-person and located on the Behrend campus. Depending on the project, funding opportunities, and mentor availability, some positions may offer the option to continue in-person or work remotely over the summer.

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Process

Begin at Behrend's Financial Aid Office

Consult with a Financial Aid Coordinator in Behrend’s Financial Aid Office to determine your Federal Work Study eligibility. To be considered, you must have a FAFSA application on file. If you have not filed for FAFSA, complete an application and await the results before proceeding with employment opportunities at the VAR Lab.

While Federal Work Study eligibility offers greater flexibility, it is not a requirement for employment at the VAR Lab. We encourage you to apply even if you are not identified as Federal Work Study eligible.

Create a prioritized list of job positions that you prefer and are suitable for

Please watch the provided videos, thoroughly explore the organization’s website to understand its mission, and carefully review the listed job positions above.

Afterward, compile a prioritized list of the job positions that pique your interest.

Prepare the contents of your application

Resume:

  • Please provide a well-organized, professional resume, including your LinkedIn profile information.

Cover Letter:

The following information should be included in your cover letter.

  • Header: Your contact information and the date.
  • Salutation: Addressed as “To Whom it May Concern at the VAR Lab.”
  • Opening: Introduce yourself and state the job or jobs you’re applying for.
  • Body: Highlight relevant skills and experiences. If applying for multiple positions, emphasize relevant skills and experience for each and explain your motivation for applying to these positions.
  • Value Proposition: Explain what you can bring to the organization.
  • Closing: Express interest in an interview and show gratitude.
  • Complimentary Closing: A polite sign-off.
  • Signature: Your full name.

Professional Reference(s):

  • Please provide examples such as Professors, mentors, and previous managers. Include a short letter of support from each reference with contact information.

Verification of Financial Aid Consultation:

  • An email from Behrend’s Financial Aid Office indicating your eligibility for Federal Work Study. Note that eligibility is not a requirement for employment, but for your application to be considered it is necessary to check for eligibility.

We strongly recommend consulting with Behrend’s Career Services office to craft your application.

Submit your Application to the VAR Lab

Gather all your materials and attach them as PDFs to an email. Send the email to varlab@psu.edu.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email varlab@psu.edu.

We look forward to working with you!