Beyond the Laboratory: How AIP Helped Michael Bo Discover a Future in Science Policy
Through an internship with AIP’s Society of Physics Students, one student discovered how his physics degree could open doors to a career helping shape the future of science.
For many physics students, the path forward seems to lead naturally toward research or a career in the laboratory. But what happens when a student’s interests take them in a different direction?
For Michael Bo, a physics major at the University of Richmond, the answer came through AIP’s Society of Physics Students (SPS).
Michael was fascinated by the intersection of science and public policy. While many of his classmates pursued traditional research opportunities, he wanted to explore how scientific knowledge could influence decisions that shape our country.
The challenge was finding an opportunity that brought those interests together.
Through SPS, Michael found exactly what he was looking for.
An Opportunity Beyond the Classroom
In summer 2026, Michael became an SPS Mather Policy Intern at the National Science Board in Washington, D.C., gaining firsthand experience in the world of science policy.
The internship is sponsored by Nobel laureate John Mather, a member of the AIP Foundation Board of Trustees whose long-standing support has helped students explore careers at the intersection of science and public policy.
Working alongside professionals involved in shaping the nation’s scientific enterprise, Michael contributed to projects analyzing data related to National Science Foundation grants and their benefits to the country.
But the experience offered something equally valuable: the opportunity to meet and learn from people working at the intersection of science and policy.
For Michael, being surrounded by people making consequential decisions about the future of science was remarkable.
“This internship is unlike anything else out there,” Michael shared.
Through meetings, projects, and professional connections, he gained a deeper understanding of how science policy works and the many ways someone with a physics background can contribute.
What began as an interest in science policy became a future he could more clearly envision pursuing.
The Difference an Opportunity Can Make
Michael’s experience reflects something at the heart of AIP’s student programs: talented students need more than academic knowledge to discover their full potential. They need opportunities to explore, connect with mentors, and see where their interests might lead.
Through SPS internships, students gain hands-on professional experience, build meaningful relationships, and discover career possibilities beyond traditional academic and research settings.
For Michael, that meant finding a place where his interests in physics and public policy could come together.
For another student, it might mean discovering a passion for science communication, education, or an entirely unexpected career.
A physics degree can open many doors. The right opportunity can help a student discover which one to walk through.
