Chris Sell

Internship Coordinator for College of Natural Sciences

  • What is an internship?
  • Any kind of experience that parallels course of study
  • There needs to be a learning component to it (mutually agreed upon goals)
  • Evaluation component (measured and assessed about what you learned)
  • Extended job interview
  • Getting an internship is extraordinarily valuable (illuminates future career paths)
  • He is a liaison to industry
  • Visited with representations from more than 50 companies, employers, and alumni
  • Serves as a contact for when companies want students/interns and when students want internships
  • Mathematical sciences, physical sciences, and biological sciences helps the whole college
  • Provide resources, make connections, etc.
  • Provide opportunities
  • Career Corner
  • Monthly (digital) newsletters about available employers, internships, etc.
  • Internship spotlight
  • Weekly version of newsletter sent out (Career Blitz)
  • More condensed version
  • Promotes internships and other opportunities
  • LiveWorkDetriot!
  • Science and Health Career Fest 2014
  • February 14 and 15th, 2014
  • Will bring in companies and alumni to help students connect with companies
  • Meant to help students understand all the options out there.
  • 14th: Networking session (companies recruiting)
  • 15th: Key note speaker
  • Will also have student panels, etc.
  • LinkedIn photobooth
  • Some of the companies possibly attending: Cargo (based out of Minnesota), Peargo, Van Andel Institute, Covance, Dell Argo, Hope Network (looking for candidates for part time jobs)
  • MSU Federal Credit Union Internship Opportunity Award
  • $1,000 stipend for students who have a need and have an unpaid internship
  • Can award up to five students in the fall, five students in the spring, and up to 40 students for the summer
  • Application due December 1st
  • MySpartanCareer.msu.edu
  • Student Appointments
  • Tuesdays, 9am-noon
  • 30 or 60 minute appointments
  • Available during other times based on student’s schedule
  • Room 5 of the Natural Science building
  • Will talk about resources, assess resumes, what companies you’re interested in, etc.
  • Do preliminary work (visit other career counselors, etc.) because this makes appointments with Chris more productive
  • Not a lot of internships are in the clinical center (more academic focused). Most internships are free-standing (only last a summer).
  • Study Abroad internships
  • Lab-based internships in Germany
  • Animal science based internships in New Zealand and Germany
  • Information about this in monthly newsletter
  • Karen Reynolds is in charge of this in the department (information on website)
  • Difficult for first-year students to get internships because they are competing against older students.
  • Get involved in student clubs
  • Part-time jobs
  • Undergraduate research (important!)
  • All of these activities help them get internships later on (junior year and senior year)
  • Not many companies offer a housing stipend, but some do.
  • Career Services
  • Get resume assessed!