When you have completed in good standing three years of your Honors or Specialization program you are eligible to spend one year in paid related employment under the Industrial Internship Program. The Department makes available to interested students approved job descriptions and the companies interview and make final selection. At the end of the internship, students return to the Department to complete the fourth year of your program. Thus, you have the opportunity to graduate with both an academically strong background and relevant work experience. This experience is valuable whether you plan to go on to graduate school or to seek employment after graduation.

Details of Work Experience:

• Minimum of twelve consecutive months in length, starting May 1.
• First four months probationary, Internship continues if both company and student satisfied.
• Eligible students have successfully completed three years of Chemistry Honors or Specialization program.
• Students return to the University of Alberta to complete fourth year in September of the following year.
• Job should be project oriented with duties of student clearly defined.
• Interviewing of students and final selection will be the responsibility of the company.
• Work is full-time with payment at competitive rates.
• At end of Internship, student writes report and makes oral presentation in Fall term. If the employer wishes, these may be classified as confidential.
• Student is awarded grade in Chem 400 based on employer assessment, oral and written report.

Benefits of Program to Student:

• Experience of writing a CV and being interviewed.
• Valuable work experience.
• Concrete, practical applications of principles learned in courses.
• Opportunity to discover the qualities employers are looking for.

Time Line:

• November 30: Job descriptions from interested companies received by Program Advisor.
• Early December: Committee meets to discuss job descriptions.
• Mid-December: Companies contacted re committee decisions.
• Mid-January: Job descriptions posted for viewing by interested students.
• Late-January: Interested students submit curriculum vitae to Program Advisor.
• Early February: Curriculum vitae of interested students sent to companies.
• March-April: Student interviews by companies.
• May 1: Internships begin.
• End July: Advisor contacts students and supervisors.
• August: Decisions made about continuation of each Internship.
• Student returns to complete fourth year, September of the following year.
• Employer assessment, oral and written report made during Fall term when student returns to University.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Christie McDermott
Assistant Chair Student Services
Department of Chemistry
University of Alberta
E3-51 Chemistry Centre
(780) 492-4969
E-mail: undergrad@chem.ualberta.ca