ANN ARBOR – MichBio announced that its BioConnections program placed 27 paid interns this summer at companies in Ann Arbor, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids and Lansing the heart of the states biocorridor. The group also said it has established MichBio chapters at universities across Michigan.
MichBio internship ranged from organic chemistry to artificial lung and liquid ventilator projects, to MBA Entrepreneurial Business Summer interns.
“Many employers are hesitant about hiring full-time employees in this economy, especially when they are just establishing themselves,” said Andrea Kelly, BioConnections program director. “BioConnections is gaining momentum because its program makes hiring top notch interns easy. Its staff assists companies in writing position descriptions, advertising for the positions, screening all applicants, arranging interviews, and BioConnections will partially subsidize the intern’s pay.”
MichBio’s BioConnections Internship Program is a state- funded program that seeks to place students in Michigan’s life science industry and keep them in Michigan after graduation. The student intern program is available year round to all life science companies in Michigan.
MichBio also has established student chapters across the state.
“The MichBio Chapters will help students learn about job opportunities in Michigan’s life science industry,” said Michael Witt, executive director of MichBio. “MichBio has more than 160 institutional and corporate members in MichBio, with more signing up every day. Exposing the students to these companies through its Career Days, the BioConnections Internship program, and industry guest lectureships is anticipated to help keep its best and brightest students interested in science and to keep its kids here.”
So far, a MichBio state-wide student council has been organized to develop chapters at the following universities: Oakland University, Michigan State University, University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, Wayne State University, and Grand Valley State University.
Plans in the works would coordinate corporate speakers to talk on campus; hold a student career day expo as part of the annual MichBio Expo and Conference in 2005; promote job creation programs such as the BioConnections Internship Program; and help students all over Michigan be aware of the industry’s importance and relevance to their careers.
For more information, click on MichBio.Org
