Undergraduate

Internship Opportunities

Teaching Lab Internship (On-campus internship program OICP)

Get Hands-on with Chemistry: Join our Teaching Lab Internship!

Are you a chemistry major? Are you passionate about chemistry and love sharing your knowledge? The Chemistry Department at USF seeks enthusiastic students to join our Undergraduate Teaching Lab Internship program! This program is a non-paid internship, but it will appear in your transcripts, making you more competitive when applying for a job after graduation. 

Application Requirements

  • Be a Chemistry B.A. or B.S. major
  • Done with General chemistry labs I and II and organic labs I and II

In this exciting internship, you will:

  • Gain valuable experience assisting TAs, students, and instructors in undergraduate chemistry labs.
  • Develop professional interpersonal skills by working with the different plethora of people who come through our labs every semester (around 4300 students).
  • Dive deeper into your own understanding of chemistry through hands-on lab work and interaction with our professional team, TAs, faculty, and fellow interns.
  • Build your resume and professional network with connections in the chemistry field.
  • Earn academic credit.

This internship is perfect for you if you:

  • Have a strong foundation in chemistry, especially general chemistry and organic chemistry.
  • Enjoy working with people and explaining complex concepts clearly and engagingly.
  • Are organized, detail-oriented, and have excellent communication skills.
  • Are passionate about science education and want to impact future chemists positively.

What you can expect:

  • Flexible internship schedules to fit your academic workload.
  • Training and mentorship from experienced professionals.
  • A supportive and collaborative learning environment.
  • The opportunity to contribute to the ongoing development of the chemistry department's teaching labs.

Don't miss this chance to:

  • Ignite your passion for teaching and learning chemistry.
  • Gain valuable skills for future careers in education, research, or industry.
  • Make a difference in the lives of your fellow students.

If you are interested in the Chemistry department internship, email Dr. Figueroa (jhonfigueroa@usf.edu)

For more detailed information about the university internship program, see below or please visit: Internships and Jobs – Career Services University of South Florida (usf.edu)

 

qr code

 

More about Internships OICP (On-campus internship program)

Our Commitment to Your Success
The University of South Florida values experiential learning as a key component to a student's undergraduate and career success.  Internships, Co-op, service learning, research, and extended volunteering can help students build confidence in their choice of major and career path.  Experiential learning also helps students to become "career-ready" by developing the critical transferable skills that prospective employers seek in candidates across industries.

Internship Course Credit is a Great Way to Have Your Internship Noted on Your Transcripts!

Benefits of an Internship Course also include:

  • Development of transferrable essential skills that can help you build and launch your career
  • Feedback to support your growth as a professional
  • A campus resource if/when you need support during your internship

Course options include:

  • An academic internship course in your major (if available) - see your academic advisor for details
  • IDS 3947 - Cooperative Internship - through Career Services
  • Can be taken for 0-3 credits and repeated for up to 6 credits (the 0 credit option is helpful when the internship is unpaid)
  • Can be used for internships that are on or off campus and for global internships
  • Credits may serve as elective credit and do not count as "excess" credits
  • Available on regular or alternate course schedules, so if your internship starts after add/drop, you can still enroll!

Although you can enroll after drop/add, please pay attention to the following deadlines:

Deadlines

If you would like to register for the IDS 3947 Internship Course, your first step is to request a permit by completing this online form. Click here to get started!
Semester Last Day to Start Work at Internship Permit Request Deadline
Fall Nov. 1 Oct. 27
Spring Apr. 1 Mar. 27
Summer Jul. 1 June 26

Need Help?

Do you have questions about:

  • Internship offers and next steps?
  • Enrollment in Career Services Internship (IDS 3947/6940) or Co-op (IDS 3949/4949) courses?
  • International Students CPT course enrollment options?

If yes, email Diane Mellon, M.A., Coordinator of Experiential Learning (dmellon@usf.edu) with your questions.

Additional Information: Chemistry Department Internship Program Process

Overview
This non-paid internship program offers chemistry majors a unique opportunity to combine their passion for chemistry with valuable hands-on experience in teaching labs, gaining administrative and logistical insights into lab management.

Program Structure
The program is divided into two distinct parts, each aimed at enhancing different skill sets:

Part 1: Developing a Teaching Lab Experiment (or other assigned experiment), 80%

Objectives

    • Design and implement a new teaching experiment for undergraduate chemistry labs.
    • Gain practical laboratory experience and research skills.
    • Develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities in a laboratory setting.

Activities

    • Collaborate with faculty and teaching assistants (TAs) to identify a gap in the existing curriculum where a new experiment could be beneficial.
    • Research existing literature and resources for relevant experiments.
    • Design and develop a detailed protocol for the new experiment, including safety considerations, materials list, and step-by-step instructions.
    • Pilot test and refine the experiment with guidance from faculty and TAs.
    • Create clear and concise lab instructions for students.

Part 2: Exploring Lab Management, 20%

Objectives

    • Gain insights into managing a teaching laboratory's administrative, logistical, and financial aspects.
    • Develop effective communication, organization, and problem-solving skills in a professional setting.
    • Understand ordering and budgeting for laboratory supplies and equipment.
    • Learn about safety protocols and regulatory compliance in laboratory operations.

Activities

    • Shadow lab managers and laboratory staff members to observe their daily tasks and responsibilities.
    • Assist with tasks such as inventory management, ordering reagents and equipment, and maintaining lab safety protocols.
    • Participate in budget planning discussions related to laboratory supplies and equipment.
    • Learn about waste disposal procedures and regulations.

Benefits

  • Gain valuable hands-on experience in research, teaching, and lab management.
  • Develop essential professional skills like communication, organization, and problem-solving.
  • Enhance your resume and network with professionals in the field.
  • Make a real contribution to the chemistry department and future students.
  • Earn academic credit.

Eligibility

  • Chemistry major with a strong foundation in general and organic chemistry.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Passion for science education and a desire to contribute to the learning experience of others.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.

Application Process

  • Submit a resume and cover letter outlining your interest, relevant skills, and career goals in chemistry.
  • Attend an interview with the program coordinator and faculty member.

Contact

For further information and to inquire about application deadlines, don't hesitate to get in touch with the Program Coordinator at jhonfigueroa@usf.edu