The sun is shining and summer is just around the corner!  If you’re in college, you may be starting to think about what you will do with your free time this summer.

As a recruiter for the Science team at Atrium Staffing, I can tell all you science majors that summer is the time to gain some lab experience. Employers love to see Chemistry and Biology majors who have gone above and beyond their lab coursework and spent some time in the lab that did not count toward class credits.

It’s not always easy to find science internships, and if you haven’t applied for one already (as in back in January or February) then the chances of getting one are slim. My suggestion to you is to ask one of your favorite professors if you can spend some time with them in the lab over the summer, even if it’s only of couple days a week.  Most professors will be conducting research of their own and may welcome the extra help in the lab.

Do some homework before you ask:  go to your school’s website and find out what type of research your professor is doing, find something that sparks your interest, read up on it a little bit and then approach your professor to see if you can help out.

You have to be prepared to work for no pay because often times these projects are on strict budgets. However, the experience you’ll get from the work will all be worth it when you graduate and have an easier time finding a job.  Most of the time, the schedule will be flexible enough to hold another non-science related job and make some money on the side.

Good luck!

Natalie G.
Scientific Division
Staffing Consultant