STEM Career Community

STEM Career community

The STEM Career Community is a space for students who have a desire to innovate, invent, research, analyze, and critically think through various solutions in multiple disciplines. Do you enjoy solving complex problems? Are you skilled in learning new software or programs? Interested in conducting in-depth research? This community will cover a wide range of opportunities that relate to these interests and more! Examples of jobs you will learn about in this community are electrical engineer, software engineer, programmer, data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, and others. These careers and many others can be explored in this community through event opportunities, industry information, internship or co-op postings, and additional resources.

 

Join STEM Career Community 

Explore STEM Majors and Careers

Many students are interested in pursuing areas within STEM 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 STEM careers.  

 

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!

Engineering and Technology

Both engineering and technology students have a required experiential learning experience embedded in their coursework. 

Science and Math

Explore options within science and math, including common pathways, graduate program options, gap years, and certifications.


Explore STEM Majors and Careers

globe

Many students are interested in pursuing areas within STEM 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 STEM careers.  


Common Pathways

Applied Math and Science

Areas of interest might include biology, statistics, and occupational safety and health.

Engineering

Areas of interest might include biomedical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, and product and design manufacturing.

 

Computing

Areas of interest might include computer science, cybersecurity, and information technology.

 


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 Departments

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

STEM Alumni in 5

Michael Williams '13 Spotlight

Michael Williams '13

I absolutely loved being a campus tour guide. Nothing beats seeing moms, dads, and/or other family members go from "anxious and worried to send their child off to school" to "comfortable and excited."

Nicki Bonczyk '14 Spotlight

Nicki Bonczyk '14

My favorite GVSU memory is probably senior project day. It was the last big event I participated in at GVSU and it was great to reach the finish line and graduate.

Michael Burns '80 Spotlight

Michael Burns '80

The GVSC mainframe computer was kept fairly busy for a while with my test runs of a computational physics problem.

View More STEM Alumni in 5

Find more STEM alumni on LinkedIn!

Don't have a LinkedIn profile? Read these tips to learn more!


How to Get Involved and Gain Experience

handshake

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!

 

Work Like a Laker Podcast Episodes

5 Tips to Boost Your Job Search

Internships: The Basics

  • 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 - STEM

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.

  • American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular biology

  • Android Mobile Club

  • Beekeepers Club

  • Biology Club

  • Cage Free

  • Chemistry Club

  • Computer Science Club

  • Ethics Club

  • Farm Club

  • Genetic Counseling Organization

  • GVSU Computing Club

  • GVSU Formula Racing Team

  • GVSU Solar Racing Team

  • IEEE - international professional organization for electrical, computer, and electronics engineers

  • Microbiology Club

  • National Society of Black Engineers

  • Neighbors for Justice

  • Seidman Sustainability

  • Society of Women Engineers

  • Soil and Water Conservation Club

  • Student Environmental Coalition

  • Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)

  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon

  • Wildlife Society


Attend Events

Career Community- STEM

Employer Showcase: Mission Design and Automation

November 7, 2024 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Kennedy Hall of Engineering Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Mission Design and Automation! Students can stop by for a casual conversation...

Etiquette Dinner

November 7, 2024 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM

This free, three-course etiquette dinner is the perfect opportunity to finally learn which fork is for salad and which glass is yours. You will have the opportunity to explore Continental vs. American...

Employer Showcase: Weiss Technik North America, Inc.

November 14, 2024 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Kennedy Hall of Engineering Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet Weiss Technik North America, Inc representatives. Students can stop by for a casual conversation with...

Employer Showcase: Adac Automotive

November 18, 2024 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Kennedy Hall of Engineering Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet Adac Automotive representatives. Students can stop by for a casual conversation with professionals...

Employer Showcase: Artiflex Manufacturing, LLC

November 19, 2024 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Kennedy Hall of Engineering Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet Artiflex Manufacturing representatives. Students can stop by for a casual conversation with professionals...

View More Career Community- STEM


Internships and Jobs on Handshake

STEM Career Community

11/5/24 Quality Assurance Specialist (Logistics) (Warren, MI) for job 9435519
Army Civilian Careers
Expires: 11/8/24

11/4/24 Administrative Specialist 1 for job 9432395
Clackamas County
Expires: 11/7/24

11/1/24 Information Technology Specialist for job 9428995
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Expires: 11/7/24

View More Jobs


Sample Resumes


Engineering and Technology

gear

Both engineering and technology students have a required experiential learning experience embedded in their coursework. 

 

Engineering and Technology

  • Co-op Education is is a partnership between the university, student, and an engineering employer, resulting in an experiential learning work experience . A three (3) semester enrollment is a required component of the B.S.E. program at GVSU. 
    • The School of Engineering has resources listed on its website with helpful information about securing a Co-op. 
  • Computing students are also required to complete an internship to graduate, the School of Computing has information on their website about finding internships. 

At the Career Center, we can assist students with employer connections, drafting  resumes and cover letters, and preparing for interviews during their Co-op/internship search. Visit CareerLab or schedule an appointment and we are happy to help!


Science and Math

flask

Explore options within science and math, including common pathways, graduate program options, gap years, and certifications.

Science and Math

Check out What Can I Do With This Major to learn about other pathways your major can take you!

  • 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. 
  • Some examples include:
  • 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 in Science and Math may include:


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 STEM Career Advisors

Chris Babbitt

Chris Babbitt

Office Address: 101B DeVos
Phone: (616) 331-6708
Email: [email protected]

Chris is a Career Advisor who works with students, faculty, and employers in the Seymour & Esther Padnos College of Engineering & Computing, mathematics, statistics, and physics departments. 

Stephanie Dombrowski

Stephanie Jensen

Office Address: 200 Student Services
Phone: (616) 331-3311
Email: [email protected]

Stephanie is a Career Advisor who works with students, faculty, and employers in the natural and hard sciences and health related programs. 




Page last modified July 17, 2024