Calling scientists/academics - need advise on suitable attire for an intership

[hendrix]



I have worked at government research labs and in the academy for many years... Academia and research are full of oddballs and "special" people. While most scientists dress pretty horribly, there are enough strange and non-conformist types such that I think your wanting to dress more formally would probably seen more as a personal idiosyncrasy rather than elitism. They're going to judge you more on how you behave and what you say than on the clothes you have on. Work hard, be friendly/sociable and you'll be all right...

Pretty much this...

But, if you're going to a casual environment, why not try and do casual well, rather than dressing up for no reason?

You're much better off investing in some good denim, cords, nice boots/bluchers, moleskins, flannels/oxford weave shirts and knits, than you are trying to wear sportcoat and tie.

 

[Gibonius]

You can get away with more in a PI/professor position than as an intern. Nobody would really hold it against you, but it would likely be a negative distinction. If you're there as a lab worker, people are going to wonder why you're "dressed up" if you're even wearing a button up shirt, much less a sportcoat and god forbid a tie. Not really what you want to be known for.

My wife works in a large government research institution as a postdoc, and it's a khakis/polo type of place. Only the admin types wear suits, essentially none of the scientists and damn sure none of the postdocs. Professors in academia can basically do whatever they want, I wore anything from suits to jeans and nobody really thought too much about it. Would get comments if I suited up, but you have a lot more freedom in that environment.

 

[The Upright Man]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I guess I'll have to test the waters initially and just go from there. Might skip the tie altogether though.

@Dr. D, good advise on the shoes regarding comfort. I wouldn't risk my new loafers in the lab just yet (or my feet for that matter)!