Professional Opportunities

Information about seminars, panels, internships, career fairs, and more in the College of Engineering can be found on the Engineering Career Services page. Check it often for schedules and updates.

All paid positions within the CBE department are listed on the first page of the online application. Review the opportunities and apply.

CBE Peer Mentors collaborate and lead the teaching of first-year and transfer/transitioning learning communities. This is a great opportunity where you will gain employability and leadership skills.

For full consideration, applicants must submit an online application (distributed to current students via email) between January and early March for the learning communities offered in the Fall semester of the same calendar year.

Tutoring Services seeks tutors who are motivated to help their peers be successful by learning how to learn. Tutors provide peer academic support to students in various undergraduate courses and help shape students’ experience at Iowa State University. Tutors will assist in student learning and retention by facilitating small group tutoring sessions that help students better understand concepts and applications of course content. To be a tutor, you must be a current undergraduate student at Iowa State, have an ISU cumulative GPA of 2.5, and earn a grade of B or higher in course(s) you want to tutor taken here at Iowa State. Here is more information about becoming a tutor.

Looking for a fun, practical, and convenient way to improve public speaking and leadership skills? Apply to become a CBE Ambassador!

Prospective students visiting the Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) Department benefit from the knowledge and perspectives of our current undergraduate students. The Ambassador program is a paid student position for any CBE undergraduate student that meets the qualifications listed in the job description. It centers around the 1:10 – 2:00 pm weekday meeting time period when prospective student visit times are available with one of the department’s academic advisors.

As a CBE Ambassador, you can expect to provide prospective students and their families with YOUR perspective of Iowa State and the Chemical Engineering major during visits. This sharing is primarily done through in-person guided tours of Sweeney Hall, and Ambassadors pair up to lead this experience. Finally, Ambassadors may be offered the opportunity to help with outreach campaigns to prospective students interested in the Chemical Engineering major and the College of Engineering.

All Ambassador roles are built around your class schedule, with training provided and collaboration promoted.

There is a rolling application for students to express interest in becoming Ambassadors.

STARS (Student Admissions Representative) – is an exciting paid position that works within the Office of Admissions. The STARS work to present a positive, realistic student view of Iowa State University to prospective students and parents. The organization’s members are selected through an interactive interview process. If selected, take part in a high-energy, fast-paced environment that allows them to showcase their talents, communication skills, and love of Iowa State. Here is more information about STAR and the application.

TEAM is The Engineering Ambassador and Mentor Program offers paid and volunteer positions for engineering students. Members of TEAM organize campus tours and other events for potential students, visitors, and employers to showcase the College of Engineering and Iowa State University. Here is more information about TEAM.

The National Science Foundation Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program supports active research participation by undergraduate students in any of the areas of research funded by the National Science Foundation. REU projects involve students in meaningful ways in ongoing research programs or in research projects specifically designed for the REU program. Students are encouraged to discuss these opportunities with their faculty mentor. Here is more information about participating institutions, available programs, and the application process.

CHE 2900 is an introduction to independent study, with emphasis on skills necessary to pursue further independent study of a topic of special interest to student and faculty. Your participation also helps faculty to obtain funding to support undergraduate student involvement in projects. Instructor permission is required for the course.

• CHE 2900 is a 1 credit class. Students should expect to spend 3-4 hours per week in the lab.
• CHE 2900 does NOT meet any requirements for graduation. It is also not necessarily required prior to CHE 4900.
• CHE 2900 is offered on a satisfactory/fail basis only.

Chemical Engineering students can gain experience in research with a faculty mentor through independent research.

Investigating topics of special interest to students and faculty. Election of course and topic must be approved in advance by the department with completion of Study Proposal. No more than 6 credits of CHE 4900 may be counted towards technical electives.