STEM Summer Internship Program
As an assistant professor in chemistry, I would like to implement a summer internship program between STEM related departments such as Chemistry, Biology and Physics of BSC, and the local biotech community. This program will allow BSC to increase awareness of the growing biotech industry in Birmingham, Al. as well as give STEM majors at BSC a chance to receive valuable working experience and hands on training. I believe because of my involvement with Blondin Bioscience, and my connections with almost every biotech company in the area, I am uniquely positioned to develop this program! I have already spoken to various Vice President’s and CEO’s at a couple companies in the area and they embraced the idea! Almost every other discipline, such as Education or Business, utilizes internship programs that continue to demonstrate effectiveness in preparing students for the job market. However, this has not yet happened in Chemistry, at least not in our area. True, undergraduate research opportunities do exist for most STEM majors, but even at larger institutions, it is difficult to place each student into a research laboratory and for those students who may not be interested in research as a long term career, a summer workplace internship program at a local lab would be immensely more beneficial.
After speaking to various heads of the local biotech companies, this program will utilize two aspects. First, the student will be paired with an in-house mentor from the company to work on a mini-research style project that is within the scope of the company’s vision. On campus mentorship will also be available through me as the head of the program, via weekly meetings reflective of the course “Current Research Methods in Chemistry” and I can also transform these meetings for an online environment should travel be difficult. Secondly, the student will work side by side with employees performing routine duties as deemed appropriate by the company mentor in order further develop the professional skills required by that discipline’s industry.
If you think your company would be interested in participating, a colleague who is interested in helping, or a student who would like to get started, please contact me:
After speaking to various heads of the local biotech companies, this program will utilize two aspects. First, the student will be paired with an in-house mentor from the company to work on a mini-research style project that is within the scope of the company’s vision. On campus mentorship will also be available through me as the head of the program, via weekly meetings reflective of the course “Current Research Methods in Chemistry” and I can also transform these meetings for an online environment should travel be difficult. Secondly, the student will work side by side with employees performing routine duties as deemed appropriate by the company mentor in order further develop the professional skills required by that discipline’s industry.
If you think your company would be interested in participating, a colleague who is interested in helping, or a student who would like to get started, please contact me: