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."

Upcomming Events

Two students standing in front of a build with arms extended. First Year Friday program details and QR Code to register

First Year Fridays
July 18 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Career Essentials
July 25 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Pre-health Essentials
August 8 at 11:00 - 12:00 PM Career Essentials

Click the event links above to register on Handshake for these virtual sessions.

Are you a first year student starting at UC Berkeley in Fall 2025?

Meet with Berkeley Career Engagement staff and kick off your first year at UC Berkeley with resources to get career ready!

We look forward to meeting you!

*Each session is a stand-alone session. The Pre-health Session on July 25th includes information regarding recommendations and requirements for students' first year, coursework, extracurricular activities, and resources available to pre-health students.


Four students walking outside with details about Transfer Tuesday coming up on July29th.

Transfer Tuesday
Tuesday, July 29, 2025 | Virtual

Are you a Transfer student starting at UC Berkeley in Fall 2025? Welcome to UC Berkeley!

Join us on July 29 to learn about Berkeley Career Engagement and the resources available to support your journey here at UC Berkeley. Meet our staff and kick off your first year with tools to get career-ready and explore your pre-health path.

Our Pre-health Career Counselors will share guidance to help you start strong. The event includes a BCE and Pre-Health overview followed by a Q&A where we’ll answer your questions.

Register the Transfer Tuesday on Handshake for this virtual session.


NSF GRFP Workshop Info Sesson graphic featuring panelists Jacob Lombardo, Jolly Patro, and Helena Roberts-Mataric

NSF Center for Genetically Encoded Materials (C-GEM)
NSF GRFP Info Session
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 | Info Session - 12:30PM - 1:00PM PT | Fellow Q&A Panel - 1:00PM - 1:45PM PT

Interested in applying for theNSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program? You’re invited to an info session on July 23th from 12:30-1:45p Pacific TimePlease RSVPfor more information and the Zoom link. 

In this information session, you will hear from a speaker from the NSF about the NSF GRFP application process followed by a panel of NSF Graduate Fellows about their own application experiences. There will be a Q&A with the fellows.

Everyone is welcome - you do not need to be affiliated with C-GEM to participate! RSVP here.

Please email outreach@gem-net.net with questions, requests for accommodations, etc.

Panelist bios:

Helena Roberts-Mataric (NSF Graduate Research Fellow, 2022) is a Chemistry PhD candidate in Alanna Schepartz’s group at UC Berkeley, where they study the discovery and engineering of enzymes that install backbone modifications in polypeptides.

Jolly Patro (NSF Graduate Research Fellow, 2025) is a Chemistry PhD candidate in Julia Kalow's group at Northwestern University, where she studies mechanophore activation in covalent adaptable networks.

Jacob Lombardo (NSF Graduate Research Fellow, 2025) is an incoming PhD student in Susanna Thon’s group of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, where he will study the utilization of nanomaterials towards the development of flexible photovoltaic and energy devices.


Fellowship Opportunity

The Lafayette Fellowship

The French Embassy in the United States has a major new initiative: the Lafayette Fellowship, a prestigious scholarship program launching in August to support outstanding American undergraduates to pursue graduate studies in France.

Created to mark 250 years of French-American friendship, the Lafayette Fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of transatlantic leaders with a deep interest in global challenges.

Each year, the fellowship will fully fund up to 30 American students in STEM, the humanities and social sciences, and the arts for one year of master’s study at top French institutions. In addition to academic study, fellows will benefit from a special leadership development program and access to an international network of peers and mentors.

Applications open in late August 2025 for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Sign up to receive a notification wheSapplications become available.

For further information, feel free to reach out to Florence Botello at lafayettefellowship@villa-albertine.org.


Grad School Programs

University of Kentucky’s Dept. of Toxicology & Cancer Biology
Fall 2025 Application Deadline: July 25, 2025
Learn more about the MS in Forensic Toxicology and Analytical Genetics program is a professional degree program, which educates and prepares students to enter the workforce as working professionals

Master’s in Forensic Toxicology & Analytical Genetics:

  • No GRE requirement
  • Two concentration focuses including Forensic Toxicology/Chemistry and Forensic/Analytical Genetics
  • Two internships, which will provide hand-on experiences necessary to exit the program and be competitive in the job market
  • Graduates are competitive for workforce deployment in the areas of: Drug Testing and Analysis, DNA/ Genetic Testing & Analysis, Forensic Governmental Divisions, Hospital Clinical Labs, Cancer Genetics, Genealogy, Crime Laboratories, Research and Developmental Laboratories
  • Tuition for this program is assessed at a special tuition rate for all students (in- and out-of-state), which represents a significant savings for out-of-state students

Note: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning, once you submit your application we will review it within a few weeks and let you know a decision shortly after.


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.