A KSR Success Story - Spring 2010
Future Scientists Program Scholarship Winners Positively Impact the Scientific Industry
As science students strive to attain success within the scientific industry, it is important for them to possess a combination of academic and "real world" experiences. As a specialty service of Kelly Services, Inc., a leader in providing workforce solutions, Kelly Scientific Resources (KSR) understands the value of working with students to adequately prepare them for their future careers. In order to offer work experiences to students enrolled in science-related programs at accredited colleges and universities around the country, KSR created its Future Scientists Program in 2000.
During the past decade, the program has generated internship opportunities for some of the nation’s most talented science students, within well-known organizations across the country. Since its start in 2000, the program has steadily grown from its original group of 16 interns. Today, hundreds of Future Scientists interns work in a variety of industries around the nation, ranging from chemical and biotechnology to pharmaceutical and environmental.
In addition, many Future Scientists interns also apply for KSR’s annual Future Scientists Program scholarship, which was created in 2001. In order to qualify for the monetary scholarship, interns must write essays that are based on a variety of contemporary scientific topics and are judged by a pool of science experts.
Upon winning the scholarship, many Future Scientists interns have obtained unprecedented networking or employment opportunities in the past few years, as they have either continued their educations in graduate or doctoral programs or have begun working within the scientific industry. Without a doubt, the internship experiences of the following Future Scientists Program scholarship winners positively impacted the lives and careers of each individual.
Vikram Khosla, 2006 & 2007 Future Scientists Program Scholarship Winner - As a special procedures technician in histology in the University Hospital of Cleveland’s surgical pathology department, Vikram Khosla believes that the two previous internships he obtained through the Future Scientists Program helped prepare him for the challenges of his current role.
"My experiences with the Future Scientists internship program have highlighted my entry-level role in a large company. In the meantime, after completing both of my internships, I knew that I could be noticed in a competitive job market," said Khosla.
Back in 2006, Khosla interned with Case Western University’s molecular biology research department. During his internship, Khosla created six chimeras of two G-Protein couples receptors in order to investigate their mechanism of action. With his advisor, Khosla assessed ligand binding quality in order to characterize structure-function relationships.
Meanwhile, in 2007, Khosla acquired further internship experiences with a leading manufacturer of faucets. While working in the organization’s quality control department, he assessed heavy metal deposition through atomic absorption and alkalinity of water in order to test high pressure systems that were developed by the manufacturer.
Upon winning the Future Scientists Program Scholarship, Khosla realized that he could overcome any obstacle, including his pre-conceptualized self-weaknesses.
"I learned that, despite whatever shortcomings I may perceive in myself, absolutely anyone is able to become an authority on any subject matter, particularly if their interest is piqued," Khosla said.
"Before winning the essay contest for a second year I, like many who entered the competition, did not regard myself as much of a writer. However, simply winning the contest has reinforced my ability as a writer, a skill which is extremely important for anyone taking science seriously."
Reid Snowden, 2008 Future Scientists Program Scholarship Winner – While interning with a biopharmaceutical company that produces life-saving therapies for patients with rare diseases, Reid Snowden realized the true value of team work, as well as the importance of networking.
"It is necessary to sometimes set aside personal goals in order to achieve a team goal," said Snowden. "While interning, I also learned about strategies that are needed to become a highly valuable employee, as well as how to network with corporate leaders and determine my own career path."
Through his experiences, Snowden witnessed the operations of a biotechnology company firsthand and was well-trained for a promising future in the biotechnology industry. Today, Snowden has an opportunity to apply the valuable lessons he learned during his past work experiences as he works in the technical sales department of an organization which uses agricultural biotechnology to innovate biopharmaceutical production.
Meanwhile, just as Snowden had an opportunity to network with corporate leaders and also conduct meaningful scientific research during his internship with the biopharmaceutical company, he recommends that all Future Scientists Program interns approach their internships with the same goals in mind.
"Students may want to consider seeking out the leaders at the company they are interning at and then speak with them. They are great resources who are often willing and happy to speak with interns on an informal basis," said Snowden.
"Students should also approach their internships with open minds and seek as many hands-on research opportunities as possible," added Snowden. "However, students must understand why this research is being conducted in the first place. There are often times that scientific research is not being conducted just for the sake of science itself, but rather for a larger goal."