The Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) at U of T is a professional work-integrated learning program for Faculty of Arts & Science students enrolled in specific programs of study, including the Department of Chemistry programs.
According to the program's webpage, ASIP combines 12 to 20 months of paid work experience with specialized professional development training. Participating students gain practical work experience, learn valuable career skills and build their professional networks. It is an "earn while you learn" opportunity, with all positions being paid while developing essential job search skills and labour market insights.
Chemistry Stories caught up with some of our community's current participants, asking them to share their experiences and insights on the program.
Bio: Sasha Maniaci
Hi! I’m Sasha Maniaci, and I’m currently in my fourth year of my undergraduate degree specializing in chemistry with an Arts and Science Internship Program (ASIP) focus. After spending this past summer doing computational chemistry research at UBC in Professor Gino DiLabio’s group, I’m now completing an 8 month work term at Rêve Pharma working as an intern in the allergy department. Outside of school and work I love to run, bike, and find the best places in Toronto to eat with my friends.
Home campus: St. George
Area of chemistry: Computational Chemistry
Pronouns: She/her
We asked: what made you decide to apply to ASIP?
At the time when I first learned about ASIP, I had been going back and forth about what the best plan for me would be after finishing my undergrad. I was considering options such as a PhD in chemistry, an MBA, or even going straight into working for a few years to gain experience before beginning my grad school. Some of the most memorable experiences during my undergrad have been through trying a new experience; whether that be attending a panel to listen to speakers from industry, or attending my first chemistry conference.
I’m a big believer in the fact that you always gain something from trying a new experience, and even if that doesn’t end up being what you want to do forever, sometimes knowing what you don’t like is just as important as knowing what you do. I ultimately came to the conclusion that having both research and industry experience through ASIP before I graduated would provide me with the most information and allow me to make the best possible choice about my next steps moving forward.
Can you tell us a little about your experience in the program? What kind of an internship was it? What did you learn? My internship is with Rêve Pharma, a drug preparation company based in Mississauga, ON. While attending an ASIP networking event last year, I had the pleasure of meeting the CEO of Rêve and chatting with her about both her career journey and what her company does. Now that I’m working for Rêve, I’m getting opportunities to see how chemistry fits into the pharmaceutical industry, and what kind of work really goes into getting a drug from a lab to a patient. There’s so much that happens in between - drug preparation being a key step - and I’m finding the details of the process really interesting.
Our company does a lot of extremely detail oriented work, namely in quality assurance of the products made, and this has given me a whole new level of appreciation for the work it takes and processes that need to be in place to create safe drugs.
ASIP aims to help participants gain practical work experience, learn valuable career skills and build their professional networks. How did your experience affect your confidence in your chemistry skills and possible future job search?
There have been so many moments during my internship where I’ve used chemistry skills I’ve developed through classes and labs, and it’s really fulfilling to see all of your hard work in the classroom translate to success in the real world. The analytical, detail oriented way of thinking you develop through a chemistry program provides you with so much more than just the ability to do reactions (although reactions are great!). I personally find that skills like scientific writing, data analysis and problem solving coupled with a strong understanding of scientific principles is an incredible background to bring to any field or job, which makes me really excited about all the possibilities for the future.
What would you tell other students who may be considering the program?
If you have your heart set on academia, that’s fantastic and staying on the research path is probably the right call. If you have any kind of curiosity about what applications of chemistry might look like in industry, gaining more experiences can only provide you with more information, chances to learn and connections. The ASIP team is fantastic, and have been so helpful and supportive throughout my job search and work term. My personal favourite aspect of the program has been the networking events which have provided me with countless opportunities to make connections, and learn about companies doing work that aligns with my interests. The resume/cover letter writing help, as well as access to job boards and special events hosted by companies are also worth noting!
The analytical, detail oriented way of thinking you develop through a chemistry program provides you with so much more than just the ability to do reactions. --Sasha Maniaci
Additional links: ASIP's 2025 application window is expected to open in June. For more information and to determine your eligibility, visit the FAQ area of their site.