As a student, you'll be connected to a unique hands-on opportunity that relates to your STEM major and education. Whether that's an internship, cooperative education opportunity or a Research Experience for Undergraduate Students (REU), you'll find yourself in a relevant, resume-building experience with industry partners and faculty mentors.

Make an appointment with us today. We can help you connect the dots to a successful experiential learning or full-time opportunity search!

• Appointment Types & Walk-Ins

  We are available to meet with you during fall, spring and summer via in-person or video call appointments! If you are unable to meet during business hours, please email STEM.jobs@ysu.edu to make arrangements. All appointment scheduling is now conducted through Handshake. 

  appointment types

  1st Appointment
  Are you a STEM student who has never utilized the services this office has to provide? Let’s talk so we can get on the same page and figure out what the next chapter looks like for your career path!

  Resume Review
  Bring in a paper copy of your resume and let us help you get it in tip-top shape so you can start applying to jobs with confidence.

  Professional Document Review
  Resumes aren’t the only documents that employers look at. Let us walk you through the nuances and expectations of cover letters, thank you letters, references, curriculum vitae, and/or LinkedIn profiles. Please bring a paper copy of your draft.

  Mock Interview
  Nerves getting the better of you as you prepare for that important job interview? Take a breath and get the jitters out by having a mock interview. 

  Internship/Co-op/REU Course Scheduling
  Confused about the steps you need to take to get your internship registered? Concerned with the coursework? Let us walk you through the process to ensure everything is accounted for.

  General Questions
  Just need to talk through some quick career-related questions? We’d love to help.

   

  SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT!

  LATE POLICY & CANCELLATIONS: If you are running late for your appointment, please notify our staff as soon as possible. For 30-minute appointments, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment if you are more than 10 minutes late. For 60-minute appointments, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment if you are more than 15 minutes late. Please notify our staff if you wish to cancel rather than not showing up for your appointment.

   

  Walk-ins

  During walk-ins, you don't need an appointment! Stop in or a brief 10-15 minute chat on anything career-related. Please bring a hard copy of anything you'd like to look over.

  Spring 2025 Schedule

  Tuesdays	9:00-11:30 AM, 1:30-4:30 PM	Silvestri 257	Justin Kleemook
  Wednesdays	9:00-11:30 AM, 1:30-4:30 PM	Silvestri 255	Quan Tran
  Thursdays	9:00-11:30 AM, 1:30-4:30 PM	Silvestri 217	Srekanth Namilakonda Venkata

  Any changes to the walk-in schedule will be communicated via email. There are no walk-in hours during the summer semester, Spring Break, the week of Thanksgiving Break or finals weeks.

  Week of Spring 2025 STEM Expo (02.24-02.28)

  Walk-ins will ONLY be conducted on Monday. The rest of the week is dedicated to preparation of the STEM Expo.

  Monday, 02.24

  9:00-11:30 AM, 1:30-4:30 PM

  Silvestri Hall, 2nd Floor

  Justin, Quan, Srekanth

• Experiential Learning: Internship/Co-op/REUs

  Internships, cooperative education (co-ops), and research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) are all forms of experiential learning. Employers and professional/graduate programs are looking to hire and admit students that have completed experiential learning during their collegiate careers. In addition to preparing for a specific career path, having a real, day-to-day experience in the field can help you change your mind or narrow down your choices. 

  We encourage all undergraduate and graduate students to complete experiential learning prior to graduation to gain a better understanding of their future field and to be competitive for the transition to full-time opportunities.

  When looking for experiences, please schedule a "1st Appointment: Internship/Co-op/REU" with our office to gain a better understanding of the search process. Additionally, attend the STEM Expo and check out Handshake and our other online resources.

  • What is the difference between an internship and co-op?

    Internship

    • Generally considered part-time (15-20 hrs/wk)
    • Occurs during semester with an approved employer
    • Receive 1-4 credits toward upper division elective
    • Cost is based on the price per credit hour or can be included in the bulk tuition (12-18 credit hours) rate.

     

    Co-op

    • Generally considered full-time (40 hrs/wk)
    • Occurs during semester with an approved employer
    • 0 credit hours; maintains full-time status
    • Cost is $350 per semester. Additional fees may apply.

     

    Research for Undergraduates (REU) & Other Summer Research Programs

    • Research for undergraduates through its REU Sites
    • REU Site consists of approx. 10 undergraduates who work in the research programs of the host institution
    • Each student works with a specific research project
    • REUs are registered as internships.

     

    Potential Scenarios

    • A student working full-time would traditionally register for a co-op. However, if the student wants credit, the student may be eligible to register the experience as an internship.
    • Off-campus research is registered as a STEM Internship or STEM Cooperative Education, not as a research course, which is specific to YSU.

  • What does "registering" an internship/co-op/REU mean?

    Registration of an internship/co-op/REU means registering for an academic course and completing coursework alongside your experience. The experience may or may not be credit-bearing and will be shown on your academic transcript.

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  • Why should I register?

    We always recommend trying to register experiential learning. STEM Careers, Internships & Co-ops is a great first place to discuss potentially registering your experience and receive guidance throughout the entire process if your experience has been accepted. There are several reasons to register your internship/co-op/REU:

    • Get Course Credit
      • With faculty advisor approval, you can receive upper division or capstone credit.
    • YSU Can Help
      • In the event that you need assistance, STEM Professional Services and YSU can intervene on your behalf.
    • Documented on Transcripts
      • Experiential learning on a transcript provides confirmation that you received a legitimate, professional experience related to your major.
    • Maintain Full-time Student Status
      • Show that you're still a student at YSU. Full-time status is especially important for scholarships and financial aid!
    • Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
      • If you are an international student, all paid experiential learning requires registration.
    • Professional Gifts
      • For each experience registered with the College of STEM, you will receive a professional gift upon successful completion of the experience.
        • 1st registered experience: Padfolio & Business Card Holder
        • 2nd registered experience: Package of Resume Paper
        • 3rd registered experience: Messenger bag

    Overall, we always recommend trying to register experiential learning. STEM Careers, Internships & Co-ops is a great first place to discuss potentially registering your experience and receive guidance throughout the entire process if your experience has been accepted.

  • How do I register?

    Please use the Internship/Co-op/REU Forms & Assignments page for more information on how to register your internship/co-op/REU.

  • I have already completed experiential learning but did not register the experience. Can I register now?

    No, we do not retroactively allow students to register their experience!

  • My experience is paid. Can I still get credit?

    Yes! We prefer that students get paid for experiential learning. Unlike receiving credit for research, having a paid experience does not interfere with receiving credit for internships, co-ops and REUs.

  • I am an international student. Am I eligible for experiential learning?

    International students are eligible for experiential learning as long as the opportunity meets the requirements of both STEM Careers, Internships & Co-ops and Curricular Practical Training through the International Programs Office.

• Our Career Courses

  STEM 1551: Intro to STEM Career Planning

  The purpose of this course is to provide STEM freshman and sophomore students with instruction in the career planning process directly related to the selection of a STEM college major and ultimately the world of work.

  Topics include a skills assessment, identification of professional/personal identification which includes ethics, values, career interests, work, and learning styles, and discussion of internships and co-ops related to majors and academic success. As the course progresses, STEM students will begin to develop areas of interest related to college majors and future career paths. Each student will complete a project to investigate college majors or occupations that are of interest to them. The student will begin to use the information to evaluate to what extent their career interests realistically match their skills and qualities. Each student as part of their course project will develop their career plan. 

  • Prerequisite: Freshman or Sophomore Status
  • 1 credit hour
  • Grading Scale: ABC/NC

   

  STEM 3751: STEM Professional Career Planning

  The purpose of this course is to provide STEM junior and senior students with an opportunity to reflect on both academic and internship/co-op experiences in the context of planning for their future careers.

  As the course progresses, the course will discuss and prepare the student for the transition from academia to the world of work. Topics include updating career documents (resume, cover letter, reference page, and thank you notes), building a transition plan, creating a financial plan/budget, and other items as they relate to the students’ professional career planning. Each STEM student will complete a professional job-search plan which will allow them to be competitive in today’s job market. Students will set goals, daily/weekly tasks and deadlines. The student will begin to use the information to evaluate their personal goals and to what extent their career interests realistically match their skills and qualities. 

  • Prerequisite: Junior or Senior status
  • 1 credit hour
  • Grading Scale: ABC/NC

• Events

  STEM Expo

  This bi-annual event brings together employers, locally and nationwide, for a career fair specifically for STEM students. Students will have the opportunity to meet with employers in person or virtually to share their resume, learn more about the company/organization, and learn about the upcoming part-time and full-time opportunities the company/organization has to offer. 

  This event provides a great opportunity for students to hone their skills in a professional setting and gain confidence in their ability to convey their professionalism to employers. Through this event, students have gained more information on how to apply for opportunities and even interviews.

  It is highly recommended that all STEM students attend the STEM Expo regardless of whether they're in the market for an opportunity or not. For first-year students, this is a great way to practice professionalism. For students that already have opportunities, this is a wonderful way to network and build more contacts in their field.

  Fall 2023	09.28.2023	12:00 - 4:00 PM	Stambaugh Stadium, Gymnasiums A-C
  Spring 2024	02.29.2024	12:00 - 4:00 PM	Stambaugh Stadium, Gymnasiums A-C

  Workshops

  Each semester the office hosts events to help students prepare for their careers. Attendance at these events is highly encouraged to gain more insight into professional skills. 

  STEM Careers Series
  These workshops help you prepare and put your best self forward for the STEM Expo. Learn more about how to ask questions and gather information about a company/organization, land an interview or even get the internship/co-op/full-time position!

  Resumes: Creating & Editing	01.22.24, 1:00-2:00 PM	01.23.24, 2:00-3:00 PM	Moser 2400
  Cover Letters: Creating & Editing	02.05.24, 1:00-2:00 PM	02.06.24, 2:00-3:00 PM	Moser 2400
  Internships, Co-ops & REUs: Searching & Applying	02.19.24, 1:00-2:00 PM	02.20.24, 2:00-3:00 PM	Moser 2400
  Graduate/Professional Programs: Is this your next step?	3.11.24, 1:00-2:00 PM	03.12.24, 2:00-3:00 PM	Moser 2400
  References: Selecting & Creating	03.18.24, 1:15-1:45 PM	03.19.24, 2:15-2:45 PM	Moser 2400
  Full-time Employment: Is this your next step?	03.25.24, 1:00-2:00 PM	03.26.24, 2:00-3:00 PM	Moser 2400
  Thank-You Notes: How to Follow Up	04.01.24, 1:15-1:45 PM	04.02.24, 2:15-2:45 PM	Moser 2400
  Salary Negotiation: Get your money!	04.08.24, 1:15-1:45 PM	04.09.24, 2:15-2:45 PM	Moser 2400
  Registering the Experience: Credit for Your Internship/Co-op/REU	04.15.24, 1:15-1:45 PM	04.16.24, 2:15-2:45 PM	Moser 2400

  How to be Successful at an Expo
  These workshops help you prepare and put your best self forward for the STEM Expo. Learn more about how to ask questions and gather information about a company/organization, land an interview or even get the internship/co-op/full-time position!

  with Chris Allen (Vallourec)	02.13.2024	2:00-3:00 PM	Moser 2400
  with Jessica Montella (Vallourec)	02.19.2024	3:00-4:00 PM	Moser 2400

  JCPenney Suit-Up
  Each year, YSU partners with JCPenney to host two Suit-Up events, providing students, faculty and staff with an additional 30% off in-store or online towards career clothing and related accessories. YSU community members are also permitted to bring guests.

  Spring 2024

  03.16.2024

  11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

  JCPenney, Southern Park Mall - Boardman, OH

• Professional Document Resources

  STEM Professional Document Samples

  Sample STEM resumes and a resume guide from our office can be found on Handshake. Look at any file starting with STEM - don't just feel like you need to stick to the one for your major! Samples should be used with discretion - we still want you to come in and see us. If you are looking for samples of other professional documents, such as cover letters, personal statements, CVs and more, please stop in or send us an email! 

  To find samples on Handshake, follow these steps:

  1. Go to ysu.joinhandshake.com and log in with your YSU portal information.
  2. Once you've logged in, click on "Career Center" at the top right corner.
  3. Finally, click "Resources" to show all of our STEM resources.

   

  TEMPLATES

  We prefer not to hand out template documents, because your experience is different than everyone else's and your professional documents should be tailored to you by you.

  Additionally, templates for professional documents found on programs such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs typically do not meet the requirements for what a STEM resume should look like or have the sections that STEM students need! 

• Student Organization Requests

  WORKSHOPS

  If you're in need of professional development for your STEM student organization, please reach out to us. We can host a variety of events please reach out to us with your ideas!

  
  EVENT ASSISTANCE

  If you're hosting a professional development event, please reach out to us. From providing contacts to partnering with you on the event, we would love to help! 

   

  REQUEST A WORKSHOP OR EVENT SUPPORT