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.

Responsibilities include grading homework and recording scores for an undergraduate course. Typically, this requires 5-10 hours/week, but may vary during the semester. The ability to return graded homework quickly is paramount. Graders should have earned at least a B in the course for which they are grading. Graders must also maintain confidentiality of all student data.

Responsibilities include helping students to complete in-class problems and grading the submissions using a provided rubric. Classroom assistants also staff an evening help room once per week to answer students’ questions from in-class problems and homework assignments.

Responsibilities include staffing an evening help room once per week to answer students’ questions from in-class problems and homework assignments.

Responsibilities include assisting with maintenance and startup of equipment, assisting with routine cleaning and stocking activities, assisting lab coordinators with ongoing projects, and testing new and current equipment to be used in classes.  The position will require an average of 4-5 hours/wk, 1-3 hours will be setting up the labs before ChE 325 and will require M and W morning availability. Work hours during breaks are negotiable

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. Learn more about becoming a tutor and apply through Knack Tutoring.

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.

Job description:

• A peer mentor is a student staff member who provides leadership in the Chemical Engineering learning community. Mentors will assist in achieving the goals of the program, including developing a sense of connection and collaboration between learning community members, enhancing members’ knowledge of the field of Chemical Engineering, and encouraging development of individual members’ strengths and personal and professional goals.
  • First Year Peer Mentors will serve as role models to approximately 10-15 students within a Learning Team as they transition to college life at Iowa State University. New Transfer Peer Mentors serve as role models to a single Learning Team that is typically less than 15 students.
  • Time commitment of 2-5 hours a week (1 hour in the classroom, 1-4 hours class planning/staff meetings/student meetings/social activities)
  • Pay rate of $12/hour for new Peer Mentors; $13/hour for returning Peer Mentors.
  Required Qualifications:
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.80/4.00.
  An applicant’s entire academic history in Workday will be reviewed for context.
  • Majoring in Chemical Engineering and knowledge of major requirements and College and University policies/resources
  • Desire to assist first year students (or new transfer students) in their transition to Iowa State University
  • Ability to lead discussions and present information to groups of students
  • Evidence of skills required to be a successful peer mentor, including: initiative, professionalism, approachability, ability to work well with others, communication skills, knowledge of university resources, and creative thinking skills
  • First Year Peer Mentors: Successful completion of the following courses (or equivalents): CHE 1600, MATH 1650, MATH 1660, ENGR 1010, CHEM 1770/L, and CHEM 1780/L prior to official start date in August
  • New Transfer Peer Mentors: Successful completion of courses listed for First Year Peer Mentors plus CHE 2020, CHE 2100, and CHEM 3310 (or equivalents) prior to official start date in August
  Responsibilities: Support the CHE 1040 (or CHE 2040) learning community class, including:
  • Execute or create weekly class plans according to semester schedule provided
  • Provide a safe and inclusive classroom environment
  • Discuss curriculum and career questions related to chemical engineering
  • Attend out-of-class activities as planned by the Peer Mentor group
  • Support students as they go through academic, social, and professional transitions
  • Maintain gradebook for course section
  • Participate in peer mentor training sessions
  • Participate in welcome events at the beginning of the Fall semester
  • Attend staff meetings with learning community coordinators
  • Communicate with mentees and learning community coordinators on a weekly basis through required reports and Canvas maintenance
  • Maintain appropriate academic and social conduct for the duration of employment
  • Be a positive example to students and be knowledgeable about campus resources
  • Immediately report any student concerns or problems
  • Act with professionalism and responsibility; have patience and a positive attitude

For full consideration, use this link to apply between January and early March for the learning communities offered in the fall semester of the same calendar year.

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.

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.

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.

Gary (BS ChE ’67) and Mickie Griswold provided funds for the “Griswold Undergraduate Research Internship” program to provide an opportunity for undergraduate students to work with faculty on research projects. Interns will work 8-10 hours/week. The intent of these internships is to increase the number of students participating in research and to receive training on intellectual property.

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. Learn more about NSF REUs, available programs, participating institutions, and the application process. Learn about the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s BioMaP REU program.