Welcome to Physical & Natural Sciences career community. We all interact with the physical and natural world. As the need for innovation in this community intensifies, many industries will require the best and brightest minds to discover and create new solutions.

The Physical & Natural Sciences Career Community prepares students to be leaders in an increasingly sophisticated scientific society through research, innovation and public service. Physical sciences generally focus on the study of non-living systems and natural sciences on objects observable in nature; positions in this field often work in laboratories, conduct experiments, analyze findings, operate necessary equipment, and develop tests and theories in a private research laboratory, government agency, or as a teacher.

Meet with Grace Kutney, the interim career advisor for the physical and natural sciences community.

Become part of the PHN community via Voyager to receive the most current resources and news.

Already joined the PHN career community? Go to the PHN Resource Portal. You'll find career-specific resources related to the physical and natural sciences, such as environment, natural resources, and wildlife; engineering; scientific research and development, and more!

Career Development Resources 

Don't know how to start looking for an internship or job? Need help writing a resume or cover letter? Check out these useful guides.

Nicole Chodkowski, Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology, searches for snails while working on summer research Monday, July 19, 2021, at Sawyer Creek Nature Trail And Oak Savanah Forest in Oshkosh, Wis. Photo by Danny Damiani

Workshops and Programs

Upcoming events pulled directly from Handshake will appear below.

  • Exact Sciences Internship Insider (Tuesday, September 23rd 2025, 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm CDT)

    Tue, 09/09/2025 - 10:29am
    When: Tuesday, September 23rd 2025, 3:30 pm - 4:15 pm CDT Curious about what it takes to land an internship at Exact Sciences? Join us for an Internship Insider session where our University Relations and Recruiting team will share practical tips and insights to help you stand out as a candidate.During this event, you’ll: Learn about upcoming internship opportunities at Exact Sciences Get expert advice on how to prepare a strong resume Gain insider tips for succeeding in interviews Have the chance to ask questions directly to our team Whether you’re just starting to explore internships or ready to apply, this session will give you the tools and confidence to put your best foot forward.
  • Exact Sciences Department Spotlight: Bioinformatics (Wednesday, September 24th 2025, 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm CDT)

    Tue, 09/09/2025 - 10:37am
    When: Wednesday, September 24th 2025, 4:00 pm - 4:45 pm CDT Join us for an exciting bioinformatics careers informational session with team members from Exact Sciences! Discover how our cutting-edge work in early cancer detection combines data science and biology to drive innovation. Hear from our experts as they share their career journeys, day-to-day experiences, and insights on how bioinformatics is shaping the future of healthcare. Whether you're passionate about coding, research, or both, this session will provide valuable information about the impactful roles available within our team and how you can start or grow your career with us. At Exact Sciences, we are cancer fighters. We are united by our mission to change lives by providing earlier, smarter answers. Through advances in cancer detection and treatment guidance, we will help eradicate the disease and the suffering it causes. We are driven to find ambitious, dynamic individuals who thrive in a team-based environment and can help us take another step toward winning the war on cancer through early detection.
  • Evergy Internship Info Session (Wednesday, October 1st 2025, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm CDT)

    Mon, 08/25/2025 - 11:01am
    When: Wednesday, October 1st 2025, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm CDT Want to know what it's like to be an intern at Evergy?Join us for a virtual information session to learn about our company and intern program - then hear from a panel of Evergy employees. If you're curious about interning with Evergy or want to learn more about the energy industry, this is your opportunity to ask candid questions!Choose the session you'd like to attend to reserve your spot! All sessions will be hosted live on Microsoft Teams.

Internship Spotlight 

Lawrence has existing partnerships with local and national arts organizations, such as: 

Urban Ecology Center logo

With a mission to connect people in cities to nature and each other, the Urban Ecology Center has a vision to inspire generations to build environmental curiosity, understanding, and respect. Lawrentians in recent years have been hired in both internships and full-time roles.

Explore more internship opportunities with existing partners.

Get Funding for Internships 

As a Lawrence student, you're eligible to apply for funding to support summer internships. Funding can help defray transportation costs, living expenses, and more so you can pursue opportunities that will expand your classroom learning and help you acquire important transferrable skills for future success.

Relevant Student Organizations 

Joining a student organization can connect you with peers with similar interests and goals. Get involved, learn, experience, and give back. 

  • Society of Physics Students
  • Lawrence University Womxn in Physics

Alumni Connections

Alumni can offer invaluable insights into your fields of interest and provide career advice to help you reach your goals.  

These Lawrence alumni are currently working in the physical or natural sciences:

Connect with Lawrence Alumni on LUAA on LinkedIn for an informational interview.

Not sure where or how to start with an informational interview? We've got your back!

Professional Associations

Professional associations are a great source of field-specific information, career path ideas, and networking contacts. Examples of associations for professionals in the physical and natural sciences: