Internships
While lectures and labs are the core of your educational experience, out-of-the-classroom experiences play a critical role in helping you prepare for life post-GVSU.
- For students who plan to go into industry, internships at local companies or research institutions can be a key steppingstone to a permanent job.
- For those who wish to attend graduate school, research experiences at GVSU or other institutions are the key to building a successful application.
- For pre-professional students interested in medical, dental or veterinary school, clinical experiences (paid or volunteer) are almost always required for the application process.
Below we highlight key partners institutions and companies that have hosted GVSU BIC and CHM majors over the years, with contact information and student stories.
Some of the organizations listed below have formal internship programs, while others do not advertise summer opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about these companies and their internship opportunities, please contact Prof. Richard Lord (Chemistry Department Internship Coordinator [email protected]) or Prof. Dave Leonard (Associate Chair for Student Affairs [email protected]).
Fortis Life Sciences/Empirical Bioscience
Grand Rapids, MI
Empirical Bioscience, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is an FDA registered developer, and manufacturer of enzymes, proteins and reagents for Molecular Biology and Life Science applications. Empirical focuses on supplying premium, quality, and custom-configured products to the Life Science industry for both research and commercial applications.
Annis Water Research Institute
Muskegon, MI
The Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) is a multidisciplinary research organization within GVSU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS). AWRI's mission is to integrate research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources. AWRI offers several funding opportunities to students interested in natural resources and the environment.
Van Andel Research Institute
Grand Rapids, MI
The Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) is a world-renowned Biomedical Research institute in Grand Rapids, MI with a research focus on cancer epigenetics and Parkinson's disease. Summer internships at VARI are designed to provide undergraduate college students opportunities to be mentored by professionals in their chosen research field, to become familiar with the use of state-of-the-art scientific equipment and technology, and to learn valuable interpersonal and presentation skills.
ALS Environmental
Holland, MI
For more than 40 years, ALS has provided comprehensive testing solutions to clients in a wide range of industries all over the world. Services include site assessment and remediation, environmental monitoring, air monitoring and industrial hygiene.
Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing
Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing, Grand Rapids, MI
Grand River Aseptic Manufacturing (GRAM) is a leading pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) delivering quality solutions for customer's clinical through commercial products.
Gentex Corporation
Zeeland, MI
Gentex Corporation is an industry-leading global automotive supplier of innovative, advanced technology that optimize driver vision and enhance driving safety and convenience. A number of CHM and BIC majors have had internship experiences at Gentex, and several have gone on to accept full-time positions after graduation.
SULI DOE
Multiple sites
Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) is a paid internship opportunity sponsored by the Department of Energy. Students can participate in SULI either in a 10-week summer internship or in a semester-long experience at one of the 17 participating DOE laboratories/facilities. You’ll be mentored by a leading science expert who will guide you in a specific research area to gain maximum exposure to one of the many science and technology areas that underpin the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) diverse missions.
Forensics
There are many opportunities for internships for students who are interested in a career in Forensics:
FBI: The Honors Internship Program (HIP) is the perfect opportunity to set your career in motion. Ideal for undergraduate students between their junior and senior years, as well as graduate students pursuing a master’s degree, JD, or PhD, this paid internship can be a direct pipeline to full-time employment after college. This is a unique opportunity for students to learn and work alongside our professionals.
Michigan State Police: A semester-long internship with the Grand Rapids Forensic Laboratory will offer exposure to multiple disciplines of forensic science. The program will expose students to evidence handling, chain of custody, and the specific functions of each discipline to demonstrate how those processes aid in criminal investigations.
Seal Bond
Seal Bond
Perrigo
Perrigo
Michigan Bioeconomy Institute
Michigan Bioeconomy Institute
Bissell
Bissell
Corewell Health
Corewell Health
Charles River Laboratories
Charles River Laboratories