Kali Smolen '17
My favorite memories at Grand Valley were made at the Sustainable Agriculture Project (SAP). That is where I met my best friends, learned how to cook, became passionate about sustainability, and learned to keep bees.
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
Brooke Grimaldi '18
I have so many great memories working in Dr. Khoo's lab! Those were the best times.
Talia Simons '23
Going to Ghana with KCON! I learned so much about the Ghanaian people, medicine, community, and I made lifelong friends along the way.
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
There are no upcoming Career Community - Science and Research at this time
Internships and Jobs on Handshake
Science and Research Career Community
5/8/26
STUDENT TRAINEE (AI/ML RESEARCH PROGRAM SUPPORT)
for job 11034013
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS
Expires: 5/16/26
5/7/26
Medical Assisting Instructor/Program Coordinator
for job 11030236
Owensboro Community & Technical College
Expires: 5/16/26
5/6/26
Clinical Research Coordinator
for job 11026768
Mount Sinai Health System
Expires: 5/16/26
5/5/26
Animal Caretaker I
for job 11019401
The University of Iowa--Office of the Vice President for Research and State Hygienic Lab
Expires: 5/16/26
5/5/26
Instructor/Assistant Professor, Chemistry
for job 11019234
Anne Arundel Community College
Expires: 5/16/26
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]