Hi! Welcome to this year’s (December 2024) installment of “Information to help you navigate post-May opportunities”. This information is most helpful for those looking for chemistry- and biochemistry-related opportunities, however, it does include links to sites that will allow you to look more broadly. Feel free to share with others!
There are five main sections in this document:
Links to tools to help you with your application materials,
Information for graduating seniors,
Information for students looking for summer opportunities,
Information for those not sure what to do this summer, and
Scholarship opportunities.
Take your time reading through the material linked here. If/when you have questions, please reach out to your faculty advisor, a member of the chemistry department, or the wonderful staff at the Career Development Office.
Not sure where to start or what to write for the jobs or internships that you are applying for? Here are some resources to help you get started!
Writing a (general) personal statement:
Writing a personal statement for summer research internships:
Resume suggestions:
Council on Undergraduate Research also has some resources to help you build a strong application:
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology several articles to help with preparing application materials, interviews, etc.:
It is never too late to search for and find a job you are excited about. Maybe you are looking for something to help you build a specific skill set, maybe it is that you want to live in a certain location, or maybe you are just interested in a particular field. Whatever the motivation, check out these resources to help you along.
Career Development Office @ Kenyon
The Career Development Office hosts the searchable site called Handshake, where you can look for jobs and internships. Get yourself familiar with this site! Reach out to the CDO, the Writing Center, or a faculty mentor to discuss your resume, personal statements, recommendation letters, creating or updating your LinkedIn profile, etc. If you haven’t yet, join the Kenyon Network on LinkedIn. https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/career-development/career-development-office/first-jobs-and-internships/
American Chemical Society
Not sure what you want to do or even what the options are? The American Chemical Society hosts a career webpage that could help you find some options that seem interesting to you. https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences.html or you might find it helpful to complete an Individual Development Plan to help you identify strengths and skills: https://chemidp.acs.org/
American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
ASBMB also has a career planning portal to help you navigate careers that lean more towards the life sciences. While the job postings are primarily for those with lots of training and experience, they do offer a number of helpful resources to help you figure out what you might want to do next, including the Career Insights, Coaching, etc. at https://careers.asbmb.org/
Government
Did you know that NIST, DOE, NIH, FDA, and USDA are all federal agencies who hire hundreds of chemists each year? Many of them also host students through their internship or post-bac programs. If you aren’t sure what these agencies do, or how being a government scientist differs from academic or industry based work check out this summary from ACS. Ready to search and apply for such an opportunity? Visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/recent-graduates
Post Baccalaureate Research
Looking to gain more research experience? Pathways to Science is a searchable database and has a section for Post Baccalaureate Programs:
https://pathwaystoscience.org/programs.aspx?u=Postbacc_Post-Baccalaureate&submit=y
Engaging in research is just ONE way students gain skills such as oral and written communication, problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, leadership, and perseverance in addition to exposure to a variety of fields in the sciences. If you want to learn more about what research is and how doing research can benefit you, please reach out to a chemistry faculty member. There are also opportunities to engage with research during the academic year - ask us how!
Kenyon-based and affiliated programs
Kenyon hosts several on-campus and off-campus programs. You can read about them here:
https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/student-research/
The Career Development Office hosts the searchable site called Handshake, where you can look for jobs, internships, and summer research opportunities. Pay attention to their weekly digest/email of jobs, internships, and the section called "Undergraduate Research Opportunities" for great information! If you haven't checked it out yet, visit this page first: https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/career-development/career-development-office/first-jobs-and-internships/
NSF-sponsored programs
The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds hundreds of summer research programs in a variety of different departments and programs. Prof. Simon Garcia has created a more easily searchable database to help you narrow down your search. This is not an exhaustive list of summer research programs, but these are the ones that are currently funded by NSF - it was last updated September 2024. Copy the spreadsheet for your own use: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KzYirJRxsJEeiU0000AWo1aBnofjYH1W7YrF8Txmx2E/edit?usp=sharing
Government
Did you know that NIST, DOE, NIH, FDA, and USDA are all federal agencies who hire hundreds of chemists each year? Many of them also host students through their internship or post-bac programs. If you aren’t sure what these agencies do, or how being a government scientist differs from academic or industry based work check out this summary from ACS. Those interested in gaining experience in government research opportunities visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/unique-hiring-paths/students
Biomedical research
Those interested in biomedical-related opportunities: Fred Hutch Research Center, Michigan State University, Van Andel Institute, Heersink School of Medicine, and DISIRE Program run by the Ohio University Diabetes Institute are just a few options. Fred Hutch keeps a list of other similar programs at other places, so does AAMC. Search for even more via Pathways to Science or by using search terms such as “summer internship undergraduate biomedical” to find more.
Pharmacy or Pharmacology research
Those interested in Pharmacy or Pharmacology opportunities: University of Maryland, Case Western, and Duke. *Not an exhaustive list! Search for more via Pathways to Science or by using search terms such as “summer internship undergraduate pharmacology” to find more.
Materials and Energy research
Those interested in materials, energy, synthesis, etc.: Lawrence Livermore National Lab, UW Clean Energy Institute, Argonne National Laboratory, or use search terms such as “chemistry [energy] summer internships” as a starting point.
Interdisciplinary research
Interested in using your interdisciplinary experiences? Many US National Labs have summer internships that cross a variety of disciplines. For example - check out these at Pacific Northwest National Labs.
Open to opportunities in other disciplines in addition to chemistry or biochemistry? Pathways to Science is a searchable database for many different summer research opportunities:
Industry-based internships
The American Chemical Society lists summer internships that are more geared towards or sponsored by chemical or pharmaceutical companies (“industry”): www.chemistryjobs.acs.org then scroll down to “Browse by Category” → “Job type” → select “Internships”, “Intern”, or “Research Experiences for Undergraduates”
We also suggest visiting the employment or education pages for chemical companies - like these ones at Novartis, DuPont, NEB, Econik, Takenda, and Johnson & Johnson as starting points.
The Career Development Office hosts the searchable site called Handshake, where you can look for jobs, internships, and summer research opportunities. Pay attention to their weekly digest/email of jobs, internships, and the section called "Internships" for great information! If you haven't checked it out yet, visit this page first: https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/career-development/career-development-office/first-jobs-and-internships/
If your summer internship isn’t paid - don’t lose hope! Kenyon offers support so that you can still gain experience doing that dream internship. Visit the CDO page for details: https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/career-development/career-development-office/explore-careers/summer-internship-support-funds/
Opportunities for students who are not US citizens
Matthew R Cover kept a list of research opportunities in the US for students who aren't US citizens (the list hasn't been updated since 2023, but some of the links do connect you to 2025 programs). The University of Houston’s Pre-Health Center has an extensive list of programs for international students. There is also CalTech's SURF program, which has a variety of chemistry, physics, and biology research projects. Also, Pathways To Science advanced search page allows you to filter out programs that require citizen / permanent residence status.
If you aren’t interested in doing research but are looking for options/ideas, Michigan State University has a great website for alternatives to research: https://careernetwork.msu.edu/blog/2022/06/01/ask-an-expert-alternatives-to-summer-internships/
We also recommend you look at Kenyon’s Network via LinkedIn or the Job Shadow Program via Handshake to find opportunities for shadowing, internships, etc. These sometimes short term experiences can be great ways to see if an area of work interests you (or not). https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/career-development/career-development-office/explore-careers/the-kenyon-career-network/ (Kenyon Network)
https://www.kenyon.edu/academics/career-development/career-development-office/explore-careers/job-shadow-program/ (Job Shadow Program)
Here are some scholarship opportunities for students and we (the chem department) think you should apply! These scholarships aren’t just about the money, but it also provides access to a network of amazing people and resources. Please reach out to Professors Kerry Rouhier or Simon Garcia for assistance in putting together an application.
ACS Scholars Program provides renewable scholarships for underrepresented minority students majoring in chemistry-related fields. Recipients receive up to $5000 annually and are connected to mentors in the chemical industry. March 1st deadline.
Marion B. Sewer Distinguished Scholarship for Undergraduates offers financial support to students who demonstrate an interest in the fields of biochemistry and molecular biology and enhance the diversity of science. Students whose social, educational or economic background adds to the diversity of the biomedical workforce or who show commitment to enhancing academic success of underrepresented students are eligible. It is expected that scholarship recipients remain engaged in ASBMB activities, even after the completion of the scholarship.
The scholarship provides $2,000 toward undergraduate tuition and related educational costs (e.g. room and board, books and supplies, etc.) for one academic year and can be applied to fall or spring tuition bills of the year following scholarship award notification.
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship is a prestigious scholarship that provides up to $40,000 and a paid internship at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The award includes an academic award of $9,500 per year for two years of full-time study for students majoring in fields that support NOAA’s mission, including STEM and social science. January 31, 2025 deadline.
Out to Innovate Scholarship Program (including the Amy R Ross scholarship) are intended for LGBTQ+ undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. Scholarships range from $2,000-$5,000. Applications are typically due in June.
TYLENOL Future Care Scholarship. Each year the makers of TYLENOL award annual scholarships ($5,000-$10,000) to well deserving students pursuing careers in healthcare. Scholarships will be awarded to students and practitioners who are seeking a degree to actively treat patients. Students must be a college senior who will be enrolling in graduate and medical school in the year the scholarship is awarded. August 1, 2025 deadline.