<p>I'm only a freshman in college working towards a ChemE degree. Last summer I interned full time at a biotech company and right now I'm doing research with a professor of mine. So far I've written a paper that is going to get published in a green chemistry textbook on conducting polymers (the prof was asked to write an article so she asked me to work on it with her. When it gets published, I'll be named as the coauthor of the chapter). I've also just started doing some research on nanowires. Will this experience be enough to compete with upperclassmen for internships or are potential summer employers more concerned with classes students take (as a freshman, I've only taken general classes)? The work I did at the biotech company was mostly biology in the lab and had nothing to do with engineering. Is that ok? And one more thing. Would you recommend trying to go back to that biotech company or applying for an internship at a different, non-biotech company?</p>
<p>Research and experience in the field is a HUGE benefit. Companies like to see kids with experience in a chem lab or in the chem field in general. I think you have a higher advantage than the average ChemE student. </p>
<p>Just stick with it, get your professors to right you a nice letter of recommendation, and the more experience you build the higher your chances will be.</p>
<p>Any advice on where I should apply for the summer?</p>
<p>I can't tell you any specific places, just try to find a company where you can get lab experience. </p>
<p>In high school, I was in project SEED, which is a program for kids to work in a real chem lab and present research to the american chemical society. I lucked out in getting that, but you should look for something similar.</p>