Thomas Rogers '12
My favorite memory was meeting my future wife in the basement of Mackinaw Hall while in Genetics class.
Science and Research Career Community
The Science and Research Career Community is for students who are curious about the natural world, passionate about discovery, and driven to understand how things work—from molecules to ecosystems. Are you fascinated by cell structures, wildlife behavior, or chemical reactions? Do you enjoy analyzing data from experiments or exploring the earth's physical processes? Interested in fields like biochemistry, health informatics, or physics? This community supports students who want to pursue knowledge through research, lab work, and scientific analysis.
You’ll learn about careers in areas such as biomedical research, environmental science, health data analysis, pharmaceutical development, conservation biology, and more. Whether you're majoring in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Microbiology, Biostatistics, Wildlife Biology, or a related field, this community connects you to research-focused internships, faculty projects, job opportunities, and industry insights.
Explore Science and Research Majors and Careers
Many students are interested in pursuing areas within Science and Research at GVSU, but aren’t sure how to get started. Here are some tools to help you learn more about GVSU majors and various pathways in Science and Research.
How to Get Involved and Gain Experience
Getting involved and gaining experience is a great way to explore your interests, “test out” ideas, and learn more about the world of work. Getting involved can look like a variety of things. The important thing is to try something!
Beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Some jobs and industries may require you to go beyond a bachelor’s degree to consider graduate level programs, licensure, or continuing education. For some students, they may choose to start a graduate program immediately after undergrad, while others may choose to take a gap year to gain experience before pursuing an advanced degree.
Explore Science and Research Majors and Careers
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Many students are interested in pursuing areas within Science and Research at GVSU, but aren’t sure how to get started. Here are some tools to help you learn more about GVSU majors and various pathways in Science and Research.
Work Like a Laker Podcast Episodes
Careers in STEM: As Seen on TV
Undergraduate Research: Answering Questions, Debunking Myths, and More
Common Pathways
Applied Science
Areas of interest might include Pharmaceutical Scientist, Conservation Scientist, Clinical Data Analyst, Environmental Geologist, Geochemist
Education, Outreach & Teaching
Areas of interest might include K‑12 Education & Outreach Scientist, Museum or Exhibit Educator, Curriculum Developer
Research
Areas of interest might include Research Associate, Biomedical Researcher, Epidemiology Assistant / Biostatistics Researcher, Materials Research Scientist, Geological Research Assistant.
Lab Sciences
Areas of interest might include Microbiology Technician, Laboratory Technician / Research Technician, Quality Control, Lab Manager
Career Guides by Major
Click on each career guide to obtain information about internship & volunteer sites, job titles, and skills relevant to these areas.
Academic College
Check out department and college websites for course offerings and curriculum guides, additional career resources, relevant events, and more!
Minors and Certificates
Minors and certificates can be a great way to demonstrate to employers that you have training in a specific area or skill set.
Alumni Profiles
Science and Research Alumni in 5
Adam Vande Kerkhoff '18
My favorite Grand Valley memory was tailgating with my fraternity brothers before football games. Everyone was decked out in GVSU colors, ready to cheer the team on.
Laurie Beth Nederveld '09
During my graduate research, I studied the impact of sediment remediation on stream conditions using a benthic macroinvertebrate index of biotic integrity.
Find more Science and Research alumni on LinkedIn!
Don't have a LinkedIn profile? Read these tips to learn more!
How to Get Involved and Gain Experience
Getting involved and gaining experience is a great way to explore your interests, “test out” ideas, and learn more about the world of work. Getting involved can look like a variety of things. The important thing is to try something!
- Complete a job shadow or informational interview with a professional in an industry of interest
- Get involved in undergraduate research with a faculty member
- Find ways to volunteer on or off-campus as a way to gain experience and build your network
- Consider studying abroad to enhance your studies and immerse yourself in a new experience
- Talk with the faculty internship coordinator for your program. See list for contacts
- Look for part-time jobs in Handshake working with a population, program, or cause you’re interested in
- Apply for a micro-internship - short-term, paid projects for employers that can be completed within 10-40 hours.
Student Organizations and Professional Associations - Science and Research
Student Organizations
On-campus student organizations with a professional goal are an excellent way to explore your future career and get involved in your field. For more information on the organizations below use the GVSU LakerLink.
- Women in STEM fields
- National Society of Black Engineers
- Cell and Molecular Biology Club
- Student Environmental Coalition
- Wildlife Society
- Beekeepers Club
- Genetic Counseling Organization
- Biology Club
- Chemistry Club
Professional Associations
- American Chemical Society
- Academic Data Science Alliance
- American Association for the Advancement of Science
- American Association of Geographers
- American Society for Horticultural Science
- American Institute of Biological Sciences
- Institute of Food Technologists
- Wildlife Society
- Soil Science Society of America
Attend Events
Career Community - Science and Research
JCPenney Suit Up - Winter 2026
February 1, 2026 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
All Grand Valley students and alumni are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event! This event will include options to participate virtually or in-person. In-person: Come to JCPenney at RiverTown...
Careers in Lab Sciences
February 3, 2026 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Join us to explore part-time and full-time job opportunities in the Lab Sciences field! This event provides students the chance to hear from various employers in the Lab Sciences industry. You'll...
Prepare for the Career Fair (City)
February 9, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Are you preparing for the upcoming Fall GVSU Career and Internship Fair, but not quite sure where to start? The Career Center will be hosting a drop-in event to help you refine your resume, formulate...
Prepare for the Career Fair (Valley)
February 11, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Are you preparing for the upcoming Fall GVSU Career and Internship Fair, but not quite sure where to start? The Career Center will be hosting a drop-in event to help you refine your resume, formulate...
GVSU Winter 2026 Career and Internship Fair
February 19, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Winter Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni...
Internships and Jobs on Handshake
Science and Research Career Community
12/11/25
PhD Intern - Continuum Computing
for job 10569808
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Expires: 12/25/25
12/10/25
IT Program Manager - Application Development
for job 10565905
Virginia Department of Transportation
Expires: 12/24/25
12/3/25
Middle School Math Teacher
for job 10546031
Dallas Independent School District
Expires: 12/25/25
12/3/25
Elementary Bilingual Teacher
for job 10545996
Dallas Independent School District
Expires: 12/25/25
11/25/25
Lower Elementary Math Teacher
for job 10528746
Think Academy US - TAL Education Group
Expires: 12/25/25
Sample Resume
Beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Some jobs and industries may require you to go beyond a bachelor’s degree to consider graduate level programs, licensure, or continuing education. For some students, they may choose to start a graduate program immediately after undergrad, while others may choose to take a gap year to gain experience before pursuing an advanced degree.
Science and Research
Gap Year/Fellowships
- A gap
year between undergrad and graduate school can be beneficial for
many students to gain valuable work experience, clarify goals,
strengthen your graduate application, and minimize burnout.
- Consider the goals and skills you would like to develop when considering options for a gap year. Some opportunities may even offer funds towards furthering your education upon completion of a service term. This can be full-time, part-time, personal/professional project, or volunteer work.
- Teach for America
- National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program
- Kaggle
-
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
-
Connect with the Frederik Meijer Office of Fellowships to learn about opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad
-
Graduate Programs
-
Attend an Info Session. Questions about a graduate
program? Some programs will offer in-person or virtual info sessions
to learn more about a program you might be considering
- Consider attending a GVSU Graduate School info session for a program of interest
- Check out GVSU’s Graduate School Podcast Series for more information
- Gather information on whether to pursue graduate education and a timeline for preparing for graduate study. Talking to faculty from the specific program(s) you are interested in can provide a lot of information that will aid your decision-making.
Some common post-undergraduate pathways at GVSU in Science and Research may include:
- Professional Science Masters
- CLAS Graduate Programs
License or Certification
- Learn more about the badges and certificates offered by Grand Valley to help expand your skill set and enhance your professional profile
- Michigan teaching certification
Learn More
Micro-Internships and Short-Term Experiences
Check out opportunities for testing out the world of work via paid and unpaid experiences with a low time commitment.
Meet Your Science and Research Career Advisors
Jamiese Edmonson
Office Address: 101B DEV
Phone: (616) 331-6708
Email: [email protected]
Rachel Becklin
Office Address: 101B DEV
Phone: (616) 331-6780
Email: [email protected]