Illinois PSM Interns Venture Forth

Congratulations and good luck to Illinois PSM students as they start their internships.

An integral part of the Illinois PSM, the internship integrates classroom learning in science and business with workplace applications.  Students began their internship searches last August.

Illinois PSM students will be interning with these organizations this summer:

• Archer Daniels Midland Company
• Advanced Cooling Therapy LLC
• Autumn Berry Inspired
• Best Chicago Meat Company
• Clean Energy Trust
• Eli Lilly and Company
• Gammatonex LLC
• Hampton Creek Foods
• Inspirotec LLC
• Kellogg Company
• Pioneer
• Soyko International, Inc.
• Tyson Foods
• U of I ACES Summer Intern Program
• U of I CITES OnSite Consulting Group 
• U of I Crop Science Research Lab
• U of I Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory
• U of I Jacobson Tomato Project

For additional information on the Illinois PSM and its five M.S. degree programs, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu or email us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

Invitation to the May 1st Illinois PSM Industry Seminar with Michael Mazzocco

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Illinois PSM students will host Michael Mazzocco at their final industry seminar of the spring semester on Wednesday, May 1, 2013, at 6:00 p.m. in Business Instructional Facility (BIF) room 3001 [map].

The PSM program's bioenergy students are in charge of Mr. Mazzocco's visit.

In addition to Illinois PSM students, members of the university and surrounding community are also invited.  Prospective students and recently-admitted applicants are especially encouraged to attend.

Mr. Mazzocco is executive vice president for finance and business development at Clarkson Grain Company, Inc.  Clarkson supplies grain, oilseed, and ingredients to food manufacturing and animal-feed industries. He is also director at Verdant Partners, LLC, an agribusiness merger and acquisition advisory firm.

For nearly 20 years, Mr. Mazzocco was on the faculty at Illinois in the College of ACES and the College of Business.  He was director of the food and agribusiness management program and held roles in development and in corporate relations.

Mr. Mazzocco will share his perspectives on trends and emerging business, technological, and globalization issues in the agricultural and life sciences.  Take-aways for the participants include insights on career options, job search strategies, and the current state of the industry.

For additional information, contact Kevin Sightler, Illinois PSM director, at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

Plant Biology PSM Launches New Website

The department of plant biology has launched a new website for current students, prospective students, and for alumni of its plant biology professional science master's degree.

The plant biology program, part of the Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM), has made information available on all aspects of the program including degree requirements, industry opportunities, research opportunities, and admission requirements and processes.

Visit the new website to learn more.  Dr. Joan Huber, major advisor of the plant biology program, can be reached at jlhuber1@illinois.edu or (217) 333-5498.

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(Read the full article)

ALSO:  The plant biology PSM was recently profiled in the 2012 magazine of the  School of Integrative Biology.  Read the full article which profiles the graduates for the programs's first graduating class.

Illini Union Drop-By for Prospective Students

Information for Prospective Students

Between now and the end of the spring semester, Illinois PSM representatives will be available in the food court in the Illini Union two days each week.  Drop by and find out more about 

• programs, 
• where graduates are working, 
• graduates' jobs, 
• and applying for admission.

Days and times will vary, but we'll post them on Twitter to keep you posted.  Look for the "PSM @Illini_Union" graphic above on our table.

Of course, you're always welcome to contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or (217) 265-5363 to discuss the program and your career plans.

All-Campus Career Fair: Meet Illinois PSM Representatives

The All-Campus Career Fair is 

        Wednesday, April 3, 2013, from 

        1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the 

        Activities and Recreation Center (ARC) [map] 

on the Illinois campus.

In addition to meeting with company representatives for internships and jobs, the Illinois PSM will be on-site to talk with you about its M.S. degree programs.  Explore the options, learn about career options, and consider if a professional science masters is a good fit for your career objectives.  Stop my our table -- we would love to meet you.

Here are two great videos to help you prepare for a career fair:

How to succeed at a career fair

How to make an elevator pitch

To learn more about the Illinois PSM, visit us online at psm.illinois.edu or email us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

Program Applications Remain Open for Fall 2013

All Illinois PSM programs are still accepting applications for fall 2013, as of March 25, 2013.

Each of the five Illinois PSM programs sets its deadline separately, but all are currently accepting applications.

Any programs closed for new applications will be noted on the Apply page.

International applicants are especially encouraged to apply soon to allow sufficient time for collecting credentials and for processing visas.


Start or complete your application today. Login to the application system at any time.

If you have questions, feel free to contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu.

Illinois PSM programs are offered in

• Agricultural Production,
• Bioenergy,
• Food Science and Human Nutrition,
• Plant Biology, and 
• Technical Systems Management.

Industry Exploration Program with the Research Park

Graduate and Postdoctoral Externship Day

at the U of I Research Park 

Wednesday, April 17, 2013.

This exciting new opportunity provides graduate students and postdocs with short-term on-site job shadowing experiences with Research Park companies of all sizes.

It provides opportunities to

• explore career opportunities in business and industry, 
• gain first-hand knowledge about research and employment opportunities at the Research Park, and 
• build local relationships.

All University of Illinois graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are eligible to apply to participate in this day-long event.

How to apply

Apply online by Friday, March 22, 2013.

In the application, you will be asked to articulate

• why you are interested in this program, and 
• how it will help your professional and/or academic planning. 

Please also upload a current resume with the online application.

Availability is limited.  Priority will be determined based on areas of interest, date of application, and availability of participating employers.