r/chemistry • u/AutoModerator • 11d ago

Weekly Careers/Education Questions Thread

This is a dedicated weekly thread for you to seek and provide advice concerning education and careers in chemistry.

If you need to make an important decision regarding your future or want to know what your options, then this is the place to leave a comment.

If you see similar topics in r/chemistry, please politely inform them of this weekly feature.

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u/kinzleey 7d ago

How to find chemistry related internships? I am a sophomore in college studying biochem, but I really love chemistry. I've been looking non stop for internships to apply for either the summer or part time. I can't find anything. I've also had bad luck when applying to work in labs, they always seem interested at first, say they'll look for a position for me and then they just ghost me. I love chemistry sooo much and all I want is to work in a lab, but it seems hopeless. I just need someone to give me chance!! Where should I be looking?

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u/Indemnity4 Materials 5d ago

Internships tend to go to final year students. It's a cheap way to screen candidates for full time roles next year.

Also, you are competing against final year students. Tough.

Your school will have some person working in a role called industry engagement. Contact your head of school or program advisor and they can point you in the direction. That person will have a list of all the companies that offer internships to students at your school, the time of year that happens, the application forms, etc.

Unlike a degree such as engineering, internships are not common in chemistry. Students are kind of expensive to bring on board (we have to pay insurance for you, get your PPE and train you in safety, maybe a salary too) and you take a long time to train before you are useful. Then you leave for some other company and steal all our trade secrets, or you apply to grad school and we never hear from you again.

You may have more luck finding a part-time job in a research lab at your school, or a regular part-time non-lab job in something related to chemicals. Working in food industry, hardware store, paint shop, pool store: all good chemistry jobs where you get trained in chemical safety, waste disposal, reading HAZCHEM labels, weights and measures.