Account Services Intern, BGB Group, New York; Funding: paid internship
What is your career goal?
My career goal is to become a leader in the health care industry by leveraging my passion for life sciences, biotech, and the pharmaceutical sector, along with my skills in marketing and strategy. I aspire to make a meaningful impact in the industry by contributing to the development and promotion of life-saving therapies for individuals around the world.
What were your duties/responsibilities during your internship?
I worked on different therapeutic areas such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, heart failure, and cardiovascular disease, and developed company marketing and communications to educate health care providers on how the products of our pharmaceutical clients could help them support their patients. I brainstormed new ideas for projects and new business initiatives, in partnership with our clients and other key stakeholders.
What did you take away from your experience as an intern? What was the value of the internship to you?
This experience broadened my understanding of life science and the pharmaceutical industry, and how they each have their roles in public health. I learned a great deal about the number of individuals involved in clinical research that will ultimately reach targeted populations dealing with a range of illnesses and diseases.
This internship experience was invaluable to me. It was my first time working in the field of pharmaceuticals and life sciences, and it exceeded my expectations because of the diversity of people and projects I was exposed to. This further developed my curiosity for each and every area that public health touches.
What was the most rewarding aspect of your internship? What was the most challenging aspect? The most surprising aspect?
The most rewarding aspect of my internship was being able to own the projects I was assigned to. I was able to work independently and let my experiences and interests shine through my projects. The members on my team were very supportive, and were very invested in my professional and personal goals. They connected me with other individuals in the company who had similar interests, and allowed me the flexibility to take on other projects that I aligned with.
How did your first year at YSPH prepare you for this internship?
My first year at YSPH prepared me well for this internship. As a first-year student, there’s a lot to juggle, and the coursework challenges you to think outside the box. Most of my coursework was quantitatively heavy, and I found that the way my courses were grouped together (epidemiology, biostatistics, microeconomics, accounting) served me well in being able to balance and manage my daily project tasks. There were a lot of moving pieces to my project work that required me to think critically on how to solve unexpected problems.
What would you say to a student who’s considering a similar internship?
Initially, I was hesitant to embark on an internship in an industry I was unfamiliar with. I found it to be a great opportunity, and would have never known that I enjoyed working in this industry had I not taken this internship. This opportunity is a great way to get a foot in the door for a multitude of other sectors related to life sciences and pharmaceuticals.