By Sam Cole
Staff Writer
Dominican University offers students the opportunity to investigate life on this planet and prepare for a career in the sciences – whether it’s in the field or in a lab.
Lucas Eggers, a senior in the biochemistry program, states that the program “is a great preparatory platform for preparing students for medical school by providing a foundation of chemistry, physics, and biology.”
Not only is the study of science good for those wanting to dive into the medical field, but students can use the degrees to become food scientists, professors or even engineers! With so many job opportunities being offered through the science departments, it’s no wonder why so many people hope to pursue careers trough the science programs offered at Dominican.
However, before students graduate, many are required to complete an internship in their field of study. And with so many students pursuing science majors, it can be challenging for those looking to find an internship in the span of their college careers – especially careers riddled with unpredictable outside factors.
When asked how she would describe her experience after graduation, Dominican alumna Leila Abuhadba said one word: “Difficult.” A 2020 graduate with a degree in biology and a minor in chemistry, Abuhadba further elaborated on her frustrations by explaining how she still had trouble finding employers willing to hire students even with her degrees and experience. She said, “Finding internships and jobs in the midst of COVID-19 was actually pretty hard. It did give me more time to focus on my application through research, but it took me about six months to find actual work.”
Another challenge can be finding internships that pay. An internship’s workload can eat up a lot of a student’s time, preventing them from working their normal shifts at work. Students have bills to pay too, so they should be compensated appropriately for their work.
Finding an internship that pays can be essential for a student to have a successful and positive experience without the stress that comes with financial issues. With that being said, the following listed are companies that are offering paid internships in the Chicago area through the spring and summer of 2022:
Teladoc Health – a healthcare company in Chicago that offers Research and Development internships in the spring and the summer. Students will help with data science, clinical operations, and marketing.
Johnson and Johnson – a healthcare company in Buffalo Grove that offers Research and Development internships in the summer. Students will work with team member and use technology to discover new ways to prevent and overcome the world’s the most significant healthcare challenges.
Field Museum – a museum in Chicago that offers multiple internship programs in the summer. Students can participate in the “Field Museum Women in Science” program, the “Environmental Leadership” program, or the “Chicago Green Ambassadors” program.
Museum of Science an Industry – a museum in Chicago that offers a five week paid internship for students wishing to learn more about science and present information to attendees.
Kraft Heinz – a food and beverage company in Chicago that offers an internship program in the summer. Students will be able to participate in a 10-week immersive program that will allow them to make a real and genuine contribution to the company.
There are many resources out there to find more internships, but one of the best ways to do it is simply by contacting organizations and asking them personally. Not only will you get a straight answer from a reliable source, but you’ll be able to make an impression by getting your foot in the door.
It takes a lot of work, but there are paid internships out there for every student willing to put in the effort.
