Chemical and Life Sciences Internships

What is an internship?

An internship is an extracurricular experience that complements your academic program of study. It differs from a job in that it has a strong educational component in addition to offering practical training in a particular field.

Types of internships

Research internships and clinical internships are the most common among Chemical and Life Sciences majors, but students also find opportunities to apply what they have learned in industry, science education and community service. Many of our students choose to pursue undergraduate research with faculty members on campus. Others choose to go off-campus and reap the benefits of our geographic location, within commuting distance of literally hundreds of companies, federal agencies and non-profit organizations.

Finding an internship

The first step in finding an internship is to decide what kind of opportunity you are looking for. The College of Chemical & Life Sciences peer mentors have some suggestions for things to consider. Finding the perfect internship requires a combination of luck, determination and ingenuity. It's best to use a variety of strategies. Follow this link for some suggestions to help you get started.

University recognition of your internship

Many students request some sort of formal university recognition for their internship experiences. Some academic programs require students to complete an internship, for example College Park Scholars in the Life Sciences and Beyond the Classroom, and offer academic credit to participating students. For other students, whether or not academic credit can be awarded depends primarily on the content of the internship. In order for an off-campus experience to qualify for academic credit, it must have a strong academic component that our faculty have the expertise to evaluate. Research internships typically qualify for academic credit, while other types often do not. The Career Center offers a non-credit course (UNIV 099) that can be used to fulfill the requirements of internship providers in cases where academic credit can not be granted. More on getting credit for research, internships and experiential learning...

Whether or not you are awarded academic credit for your internship, don't discount the value of the practical experience and professional connections you have gained. You should list internships on your curriculum vitae or resume as evidence of your experience in the field. Furthermore, internship supervisors can attest to your intellectual skills, problem-solving abilities, work ethic and ability to work as part of a team for letters of recommendation for graduate or professional school.