Argonne National Laboratory, home to state-of-the-art facilities such as the Advanced Photon
Source (APS) and the Argonne Tandem Linac Accelerator System (ATLAS), attracts researchers
from across the globe and propels numerous scientific discoveries impacting our nation and
world. Our professional scientists, engineers, and researchers are exploring scientific solutions to
numerous real-world challenges – from testing and improving cybersecurity protection, to
developing alternative fuel sources, to advancing the potential of artificial intelligence.

As a world-renowned national laboratory, Argonne strives to advance the future of science by
creating educational pathways for the next generation of STEM leaders. Hundreds of
undergraduate and graduate students utilize our diverse internship opportunities each year. On December 9th, we shared information during Industry Day on Argonne’s amazing internship
programs, and how they make a positive difference in students’ STEM journeys and careers.
This event included an internship presentation from Argonne’s University Student Programs
staff, as well as a panel of student alumni to share their experience and growth as Argonne
interns.

If you missed the event, watch it here.

On December 2nd, The Student Success Center in the School of Physical Sciences has partnered with Dr. Roberto Rubalcaba to host a webinar called "Stand and Deliver: Success in Math with Black, Chicanx, Indigenous and Undocumented Students" as the third of a three-part Diversity in STEM series.

In this session, you will learn strategies to create a safe and welcoming classroom for your students of color to thrive including building safe spaces for students who may be experiencing serious challenges outside of your classroom. We will discuss how to invite, include, encourage, and engage Black / African American, Latinx / Chicanx, Indigenous and Undocumented students without requiring them to change their identity to learn. 

If you missed the event, watch it here.

On November 18th, The Student Success Center in the School of Physical Sciences partnered with Dr. Dontarie Stallings to host a webinar called "Organizing and Management of Inclusive Groups" as the second of a three-part Diversity in STEM series.

This session facilitated a discussion on the effect of lack of demographic equitable representation that exists throughout most STEM fields and is inconsistent with a drive towards inclusive excellence, that is necessary to recruit talent from the entirety of our population. It also runs counter to the academic case for diversity, which argues for the causal relationship between diversity and success in research teams. This lack of representation amongst our faculty has perpetuated a view within STEM that devalues the abilities of underrepresented scientists. Through the National Diversity Equity Workshops, engaging social scientists and chemistry department heads, we have identified barriers to inclusive excellence, and solutions—that is, procedures, policies, and practices—to reduce inequities. Our recommendations represent a flexible road map that, if adopted, can lead to a climate that attracts and retains diverse, inclusive and excellent talent in academia. 

If you missed the event, watch it here. 

On October 26th students joined our distinguished panel of educators explored a career sparking young people’s passion for science and mathematics. The panelists have considerable expertise
teaching in schools that serve diverse populations, and experience supporting current
and prospective teachers. This inspiring event was moderated by a current student in
the UC San Diego credential program, Carli Underhill, who began with questions about teaching that
she had when she was an undergraduate and then led the audience Q&A. Panelists included Alec Barron, Chris Halter, Hannah Moanike’ala Nakamoto, and Enrique J. Romero.

If you missed the event, watch it here.

On October 21st, we hosted an industry day with Cepheid, an American molecular diagnostics company, as they shared more about their company and internship opportunities available. Additionally, the event featured a UCSD alumni career panel who currently works at Cepheid. Participants were able to ask questions and engage with the panelists. Panelists included: Director of Chemistry R&D Mike Declue, Senior Component Engineer Braxton Dunstone, and Senior Information and Data Scientist Stephanie Fan.

Cepheid’s mission is to deliver a better way to improve patient outcomes by enabling access to molecular diagnostic testing everywhere.  Cepheid’s GeneXpert System has been heralded as game-changing by healthcare leaders across the globe – enabling institutions of any size, from small clinics to high-volume hospitals, to access the speed and accuracy of molecular diagnostics.  And even with the largest installed base of any molecular platform, Cepheid is constantly innovating – even receiving FDA Emergency Use Authorization for its rapid (and extremely accurate) COVID-19 diagnostic test. 

If you missed the event, watch it here. 

On October 6th, the School of Physical Sciences Student Success Center presented a virtual round table discussion featuring three distinguished Tritons with careers in public service, national security, and the defense sector. Speakers included Director of National Security at Argonne National Laboratory Dr. Keith Bradley, research scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory Dr. Vivien Zapf, and self-employed in public service Dr. Steven Buchsbaum.

If you missed the event, watch it here. 

On October 5th, Genentech was looking for Tritons to join their company! Participants learned about a $2,500 award and guaranteed internship opportunity in biotechnology. The Genentech team shared information about their Outstanding Student Award (OSA), internships, rotation programs, and how they put patients first with innovative medicine and therapies. 

The School of Physical Sciences Student Success Center hosted a virtual webinar featuring research presentations from undergraduate students supported by General Atomics - Aeronautical Systems, Inc (GA-ASI). GA-ASI supported ten students over the summer to conduct research under the close guidance of a faculty member. Students shared the findings of their research as well as how the experience has impacted their lives.

Part I can be watched here.

Part II can be watched here.

On September 16th, the Department of Mathematics, in collaboration with the Student Success Center, hosted a "Math Industry Day: Careers in Finance" webinar that featured presentations by industry speakers. They shared more about their academic and career journey, their current company, top skills they are seeking in a successful candidate, and more! Attendees had the opportunity to submit questions in advance as well as participate in the live Q & A. Featured speakers included: UCSD alumnus and Head of Quantitative Strategy at Millennium Dr. Thomas Fleming, UCSD alumna and Senior Finance Manager Amanda Horowitz, Data Scientist at Intuit Dr. John Jack, and UCSD alumnus and Business Lawyer Dr. John Karayan.

If you missed the event, you can watch it here.

On August 19th students heard from Dr. Jeffrey Marks of Lam Research as he spoke about “Innovation at an atomic level, enabling the information revolution”.  In addition to Dr. Marks's talk, the event featured a UCSD alumni career panel who currently work at Lam. Students were able to ask questions and engage with the panelists.  Featured panelists included: CVP for Lam Research Dr. Jeffrey Marks, Process Engineer Jasper Nie, Systems Engineer Hossein Sadeghi, and Product Engineer Qingqing Yang. 

As a trusted, collaborative partner to the world’s leading semiconductor companies, Lam Research is a fundamental enabler of the silicon roadmap. In fact, today, nearly every advanced chip is built with Lam technology.  Their innovative wafer fabrication equipment and services allow chipmakers to build smaller, faster, and better performing electronic devices. They combine superior systems engineering, technology leadership, a strong values-based culture, and unwavering commitment to customer success to accelerate innovation, enabling our customers to shape the future. 

If you missed the event, watch the video here.

In collaboration with the Graduate Division and Jacobs School of Engineering, we hosted a webinar called "Teaching Students of Color in STEM" on July 31st. This event was the third workshop of "Woke: A Series in Solidarity with People of Color in STEM." The event was open to students, recent graduates, postdocs, staff, and faculty members. The webinar provided best practices for supporting and teaching students of color in STEM. It featured a moderated discussion and a Q&A session with faculty members from the Jacobs School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Attendees had the opportunity to submit questions in advance as well as participate in a live Q&A. Panelists included: Distinguished Professor of Physics R. Sekhar Chivukula, Assistant Teaching Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Dontarie Stallings, Associate Professor of Statistics Jelena Bradic, Professor of Mathematics Ioana Dumitriu, and Assistant Professor of NanoEngineering and Mechanical Engineering Tod A. Pascal. 

If you missed the event, watch it here.

The Department of Mathematics in collaboration with the Student Success Center hosted a virtual Math Industry Day on July 22nd! The event included presentations by guest speakers about working in industry. Attendees had the opportunity to submit advanced questions as well as participate in the live webinar's Q&A. Panelists included Cognitive Science UCSD alum Kyle Shannon, Data Scientist at Viasat and UCSD alum Laura Wilke, and Senior Scientific Technical Manager at the Naval Information Warfare Center Charles F. Yetman. 

If you missed the event, watch it here.

For all physical science students or recent graduates. Held on July 9th,this webinar addressed the changing landscape of the job market for graduates with degrees in the physical sciences. Students heard from a panel of industry professionals with insight in hiring plans and strategies of industry sectors in the age of COVID-19. Industry professionals addressed communication strategies and interview skills for a hiring environment dominated by online interactions. Students had the opportunity to ask questions during this online webinar. Panelists who attended: Web Developer Kevin Ball; Founding Director of Perihelion Capital Advisors Dr. Richard Libby; CVP of Lam Research Corporation Dr. Jeffrey Marks; and University Relations Program Manager at General Atomics David Freeman. 

Watch the webinar here.

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, School of Physical Sciences and the Student Success Center sponsored another Pharm-ChemBio Industry Day. On June 3rd, this event featured asynchronous talks from speakers in biotechnology and pharma companies. The live Zoom panel discussion focused on providing advice to students and postdocs on how to pursue a career in industry in the age of COVID-19 and address communication strategies and interview skills for a hiring environment dominated by online interactions. Attendees had the opportunity to submit advanced questions as well as participate in the live webinar's Q&A. 

If you missed the event or want to refresh your memory, watch it here. 

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, School of Physical Sciences, and the Student Success Center worked in partnership to host a Catalent Pharma Solutions Industry Day on Thursday May 28th.  The event will feature an Industry Overview presentation and a Career Panel Q&A. This event discussed different industry career avenues, educational and career advice from industry professionals, and Catalent San Diego's internship opportunities. Attendees had the opportunity to submit advanced questions as well as participate in the live webinar's Q&A. Catalent's volunteering and philanthropy programs amplify the enthusiasm they have for giving back to our communities—especially in the areas of health and STEM education. With 42 facilities across four continents, Catalent touches thousands of people every day; helping people live better healthier lives. Panelists included Senior Project Manager Hannah Reynolds, Program Manager Matthew Rota, Forumulation Scientist Kirk Reynolds, Ph.D, former Metrology Engineer and current Training Coordinator Roger Parks, and Formulation Chemist Ivy Cai. 

If you missed this event, watch it here.

On May 27th, Dean Steve Boggs and division leadership shared how, in the midst of a pandemic, we are starting new initiatives and hosting online events to help students find pathways to meaningful careers and build professional networks outside academia.

About The Center: As the first of its kind for any physical sciences program in the nation, The Center provides students with resources for professional training beyond the classroom and career preparation beyond a degree. The Center connects students with individual research experiences in academia and internships in industry, supports them with an alumni mentoring program, and hosts industry outreach and recruitment events.

If you missed it, watch the full session here.

This event was held virtually on Wednesday May 6, 2020. For Chemistry and Biochemistry students graduating in 2020, but open to all students. This webinar addressed the changing landscape of the job market for graduates with degrees in the physical sciences. Students heard from a panel of industry professionals with insight in hiring plans and strategies of industry sectors in the age of COVID-19. Industry professionals addressed communication strategies and interview skills for a hiring environment dominated by online interactions. Students had the opportunity to ask questions during this online webinar. Alumni panelists included: Dr. John Williams from Neurocrine Biosciences in San Diego, Dr. Shiva Malek from Genentech and UCSF, and Ken Abeloe from Centauri (formerly Integrity Applications Incorporated).

Tips from Dr. Thomas Bussey on excelling remotely as a student and instructor. He discussed the current events and practical solutions being used to move to an online format. If you missed the seminar, watch it here.

ACS-SA and the Student Success Center brought to you to our first ever Industry Interaction Day! The event was held on February 21, 2020 in the NSB Atrium. The event included presentations by speakers about working in the industry and a networking lunch where students met the speakers and asked all their questions.