Our second spotlight on participants in the Arts & Science Internship Program (ASIP) at U of T focuses on Shengyu Wang.
ASIP is a professional work-integrated learning program for Faculty of Arts & Science students enrolled in specific programs of study, including Department of Chemistry programs. The program combines 12 to 20 months of paid work experience with specialized professional development training, according to its webpage. Participating students gain practical work experience, learn valuable career skills, and build their professional networks. In short, ASIP program offers an "earn while you learn" opportunity, with all positions being paid and allowing students to develop essential job search skills and labour market insights.
Chemistry Stories caught up with Shengyu, who generously shared her insights about the advantages of the program.
Bio: Shengyu Wang
Hi! I’m Shengyu (she/her), a fourth year undergraduate student in Pharmaceutical Chemistry Specialist Program with a focus on practical analysis. This year, I’m completing an 8-month ASIP work term at the Kotra Lab at the University Health Network. I’m originally from Shanghai, China, and this is my fourth year living in Toronto.
Home campus: St. George
Area of chemistry: Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Research Group: Kotra Research Group
What made you decide to apply to ASIP?
I wanted to gain practical experience beyond the classroom during my undergraduate studies. ASIP offers students the chance to participate in a 12–16 month work term while completing their degree, which felt like a great opportunity to gain research and work experience beyond what a summer research program or a year long undergraduate research course could provide, because I feel it’s more focused and closer to real-life working situations.
Can you tell us a little about your experience in the program? What kind of an internship was it? What did you learn?
From my experience, ASIP has been growing since it began in 2021, offering more opportunities each year. Beyond teaching job-hunting skills like resume writing and interview preparation, it provides access to a job portal, networking events, career fairs, and facility tours. These events have been incredibly valuable for me to meet people and peers and practice networking skills.
My internship involves working as an undergraduate researcher in an academic lab. I’ve contributed to ongoing projects under the supervision of my PI or senior lab members. Through this, I’ve developed skills in synthetic chemistry, computational modeling, project management, and scientific writing. Additionally, I’ve gained invaluable mentorship, helping me clarify my post-undergrad goals—something I didn’t expect at all and greatly appreciate.
Through the job-hunting process, I’ve gained valuable skills in crafting effective resumes and preparing for interviews, whether for academic or industry positions. Networking events and conversations with peers and seniors from various fields have given me a clearer understanding of different career paths and helped me refine my own goals. I’ve also learned from others’ experiences and benefited from their advice.
It’s definitely possible to develop job-hunting skills and build connections independently during undergrad, especially if you’re highly motivated and have strong time-management skills, but I personally found ASIP to be more helpful. It provided structured resources, consistent motivation, and dedicated time to focus on these areas with support and guidance, making the learning process much more manageable and effective for me .
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?
This experience has significantly boosted my confidence in exploring unfamiliar areas of chemistry and self-learning as needed. Working on diverse projects has taught me how to approach topics beyond the scope of my undergraduate courses. I’ve also learned the importance of adaptability and curiosity, which are essential for pursuing a research career.
The mentorship I’ve received from senior lab members has been very helpful, providing advice and insights into potential career paths.
In terms of job searching, I feel more confident crafting resumes, preparing for interviews, and connecting with recruiters thanks to ASIP’s support and events.
What would you tell other students who may be considering the program?
I’d encourage students to apply to ASIP and see if it suits their needs. It’s an excellent way to gain work experience, explore career paths, and take a break from coursework to focus on personal and professional growth. Especially if you find balancing work, learning research skills, and school all at the same time during a regular undergraduate school year could be challenging, like me.
For those unsure if ASIP is the right fit, I’d recommend giving it a try—it doesn’t hurt to apply! Once you’re in, make the most of the program by attending events, seeking guidance from ASIP staff, and practicing job application skills like resume writing and interviewing. Talking to upper-year ASIP students can also provide helpful perspectives.
ASIP provided structured resources, consistent motivation, and dedicated time to focus on these areas with support and guidance, making the learning process much more manageable and effective. --Shengyu Wang
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.