Industrial, National, and Government Laboratory Bridge Program (ING-BP)

The Industry, National, and Government Laboratory Post-Baccalaureate Bridge Program (ING-BP) is a credentialed bridge experience that provides intensive training and advanced internship opportunities for students interested in employment performing laboratory-based work in the chemical industry or national or government laboratories. The ING-BP is modeled after the ACS Bridge Project bridge experiences, which successfully integrate culturally responsive practices that provide alternative pathways for students from underrepresented/minoritized (URM) groups interested in graduate programs in the chemical and/or biochemical sciences. However, ~ 60% of all chemistry BA/BS graduates seek employment in government or industrial laboratories.¹ 

Thus, the ING-BP is a first-of-its-kind program that integrates culturally responsive practices to launch students from URM groups into their desired careers. The goal of this structure is to enable students the space to fully engage, relax into their STEM identity, focus, and thrive while getting high-quality, rigorous preparation for careers in the Chemical and/or Biochemical Sciences.

*While this program is specifically designed for students from URM groups in STEM, we recognize that there are many ways that people can be systemically affected in today’s society. Therefore, any student who believes they meet the qualifications and/or identifies as an individual who has experienced circumstantial disadvantages is encouraged to apply.

Our ING-BP students gain invaluable experience and insight through a combination of coursework and a hands-on mentored technical laboratory internship at a partnering institution in the chemical industry or a national or government lab. Throughout the program, students create and iteratively refine a poster and an oral presentation on their laboratory project. Regular presentations of student work are scheduled at MSU Denver and partnering institutions. The ING-BP culminates in a capstone project wherein students produce a variety of tailored resumes, engage in mock interviews, and develop a broad set of nuanced professional skills. This supportive, yet highly-customizable structure enables students to gain the tools, credentials, and experience necessary to achieve gainful employment in a competitive entry-level position in the student’s field of interest.