Career Counseling

Berkeley Career Engagement

The fields of Chemistry, Chemical Biology, and Chemical Engineering prepare students for a wide range of both established and non-traditional career options and possibilities. 

The College of Chemistry’s professional Career Adviser, Najet Carrick, is here to help you explore those options and assist you in achieving your professional and educational goals.

Najet is also availabe to discuss off-campus research opportunities.

Najet Carrick

Contact Info
Appointments available via Handshake

About Najet
"I am so fortunate to work with the College of Chemistry students. Over the past two years, I have worked with undergraduate and masters students with their career-related needs.  Prior to joining Berkeley Career Engagement and the College of Chemistry, I spent ten years working with students, recent graduates, and professionals from diverse backgrounds to evaluate transferable skills, write resumes and cover letters, recommend job search strategies, and prepare for interviews. I love helping students identify goals, consider options after graduation, and guide them through the internship or job search process. I graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences, and my professional career has spanned working in multiple industries. I love spending time with my husband and children, and I enjoy reading, hiking, and cooking.

Please feel free to book a time to meet with me on Handshake for virtual and in-person appointments. And be sure to connect with me on my LinkedIn page."

Upcoming Career Fairs

2025 Spring STEM Career & Internship Fair
Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | RSF: 2301 Bancroft Way


2025 Spring Business & Non-Tech Career & Internship Fair

Wednesday, January 29, 2025 | 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM | RSF: 2301 Bancroft Way

Research Opportunities

URAP

Application Deadline: Open on January 17, 2025, and are due January 27, 2025 | 4:00 PM
The Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program (URAP) provides an opportunity for Berkeley undergraduates to work with faculty members and research staff on cutting-edge research projects. Working closely with mentors, students will deepen their knowledge and skills in areas of special interest, while experiencing what it means to be part of an intellectual community engaged in research. The program is designed to stimulate awareness of advanced research and interest in graduate study. Students earn 1 unit of academic credit for every 3 hours of research work completed (limited to 4 units per term).

Bakar Ignite Scholars Program

Application Deadline: January 23, 2025

The Bakar Ignite Scholars Program is a paid opportunity for undergraduate students in STEM+ fields who want to pursue research with a public interest focus. Applications are now open for Spring 2025. Please visit the UC Berkeley Discovery Hub to apply.

This program provides selected students with the unique chance to contribute to groundbreaking research while working part-time with Bakar Fellows, who are faculty and PhD students commercializing their research, during the Spring 2025 semester. Scholars will receive a stipend of up to $2,500 for their involvement.


QB3-Berkeley Undergraduate Biotech Internship program
Application Deadline: Friday, January 31, 2025
UC Berkeley undergraduates can gain hands-on experience in the biotech industry through QB3-Berkeley Undergraduate Biotech Internships. The program is open to sophomore and junior (standing) undergraduates with a minimum 3.2 GPA and previous lab experience. For paid summer positions, apply by January 31, 2025.


Summer Undergraduate Research Diversity Program (SURD) 

Application Deadline: February 1, 2025

The application period for SURD 2025 is now open and accepting applications.  Apply to SURD now.

SURD provides research opportunities for students who have been historically underrepresented in STEM. UC Berkeley undergraduates and undergraduates from 4-year universities & community colleges are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be 18 & over and no prior experience necessary!

About SURD

  • 10 Weeks (June 9-August 15, 2025)
  • 40 hours/week
  • $6000 stipend
  • Housing, Food & Travel Allowance provided

Johns Hopkins University’s Ralph O’Connor Sustainable Energy Institute (ROSEI)
Research on Sustainable Energy Technology and Systems (ROSETAS)
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025
The ROSETAS program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). It is a 10-week, residential research and professional development program. Accepted students will be provided with a $7,000 stipend and housing near the Johns Hopkins campus. The program is open to all US Citizen or permanent resident undergraduate students in any technical field who have completed at least one year of college and have not yet graduated with a bachelor’s degree.

Application Materials: CV or resume, college transcript(s) – unofficial or official will be accepted, personal statement (1-2 pages) summarizing interests, skills, and experiences relevant to the ROSETAS program, and one letter of recommendation from a past or current professor or other research professional with whom you have worked.


STEM funding and opportunities including paid summer research, graduate fellowships, and graduate programs.

For Undergraduates
Paid Summer 2025 Undergraduate Research Placements:
Over 700 programs – NSF REU, NASA, NIH and other paid summer research opportunities for undergrads

For Financial Support in Graduate School
Fellowships and graduate programs in a wide variety of STEM disciplines:

For tips on applying and associated resources

For opportunities specifically in the Ocean Sciences

For opportunities specifically in Engineering


Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Summer Scientific Undergraduate Programs

Chemical Biology Summer Program (ChBSP)
Application Deadline: February 3, 2025

The Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology and the Office of Science Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are very pleased to invite applications for the Chemical Biology Summer Program (ChBSP). This 10-week program is designed to bring outstanding chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical biology undergraduate rising juniors, and seniors interested in pursuing a career at the intersection of chemistry and biomedicine for a research experience on the Weill Cornell, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Rockefeller University campuses. Applicants must have chemistry coursework and laboratory experience.

The 10-week program is from June 2, 2025 to August 8, 2025.

Career Center Library Logo, UC Berkeley

Career Counseling Library

We also recommend that you check out the Career Counseling Library (affiliated with UHS/Tang Center), which provides career exploration support for individuals struggling with career indecision.