How to Turn an Internship Into a Full-Time Position
Whether you’re a current student, a recent graduate, taking a gap year, or simply at the beginning stages of your biotech career, an internship is widely acknowledged as one of the best ways to get your foot in the door of a company or field you’re interested in. Whether it be to enhance your skill set, make connections, or learn more about the life science industry, an internship can be an incredible stepping stone in achieving your future career goals—especially when considering that many successful internships turn into full-time position offers. But how do you get from point A to point B?
For those of you who are careful about who you take advice from, you may have already discovered that the author of this article is, in fact, an intern. The irony of the situation is not lost on me; however, I believe I can provide a unique-insider perspective that I hope will make the topic all the more engaging and truly applicable. The advice I’ve cultivated is informed by some of the best in the business of biotech and will surely prove to be a useful framework for my fellow interns (and hopefully myself!).
Ask, Ask, Ask!
As interns, we often have a false perspective on the expectations set out for us, thinking an employer assumes you have a high level of knowledge in the field and company framework, or that asking questions will make you seem stupid. I cannot stress how backward this mode of thinking is (and neither can my BioBuzz superiors). When a company hires you as an intern, they are aware of your (likely limited) background and experience. They are prepared to answer any and all of your questions—in fact, they look forward to it, as asking more questions shows you’re engaged and actively taking an interest in your role. An internship is meant to be an educational experience, but you can’t learn if you don’t ask.
Additionally, don’t be afraid to ask questions about specific guidelines on an assignment or project, as it demonstrates your desire to produce high-quality work and meeting goals. Asking questions that are not only directly related to your role (for example, about the field, competitors, target audiences, etc.) will also demonstrate your desire for understanding of the whole picture (as opposed to the limited scope of your position). Chris Frew, CEO of Workforce Genetics, highlighted that biotech companies value individuals with “a curious mindset and learning mentality, someone who is always seeking to understand ‘why’ and keep learning”. Showing your curiosity and engagement with the company and its goals will further make you out to be a prime candidate for a full-time offer.
Connections are Key
It’s important to establish professional and personal relationships with your supervisor(s) and other full-time employees. Make sure you’re putting a face and name to the work you’re doing by integrating yourself into the company’s culture and making connections with people who can ultimately impact your consideration for full-time employment.
It’s important to express interest in learning skills related to your work, as that will likely result in advice from a superior and ultimately a closer connection between yourself and that individual. Additionally, take your time as an intern to truly learn about the company by learning about its people. Ask other departments about what they do, or see if you can grab lunch or a coffee with a team member you may not get a lot of face time with. Professionalism is an important quality, but don’t be afraid of the pre-meeting small talk or “water cooler” conversations as those are often the ones remembered most by supervisors and fellow employees. Visibility and connections are fundamental in showing your interest and becoming an integral member of a company.
Be Committed to Excellent Work
Unfortunately, interns can often be underutilized or given smaller tasks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still impress your supervisor. The goal as an intern should be to learn and do as well as possible, so even if you’re given lackluster assignments, make sure you do a bang-up job. Work hard on the things that you’re given and ask for feedback to demonstrate that you’re a capable worker and that you’re being undervalued. Don’t be afraid to ask for additional responsibilities to show your interest and initiative, and if you have a skill that can’t be showcased in the responsibilities you’ve been given, look for other opportunities to demonstrate them.
The better you do at smaller tasks (like the repetitive, monotonous ones usually given at the beginning of an internship), the more likely you are to be trusted with larger, more exciting ones in the future. But in the meantime, be sure to showcase general good team member qualities like organization, punctuality, consistency, and communication. As generic as they may sound, they are all highly valued aspects when it comes to making full-time offer considerations.
Use Your Age to Your Advantage
This may seem like a less traditional piece of advice, but it could be what makes you stand out most. Many interns enter their positions feeling like they don’t have much to offer to an already established, successful company—but don’t sell yourself short. There are many benefits to having a younger perspective on the team, especially if that team is largely composed of folks in mid- and senior-level roles. Consider how your perspective as a younger individual could be used to benefit the company’s reach and broaden its audience.
If you’re looking to show off age-specific skills, for example, look no further than your company’s social media presence. Many biotech companies are still learning how to navigate social media, especially unconventional platforms such as Tik Tok and Instagram. If you have experience in that arena, don’t be shy to offer your skills and insights to the more seasoned professionals who will likely jump at the chance to hand off that responsibility to someone younger. Helping with these tasks will show your initiative, problem-solving, and professionalism skills, making you an incredibly valuable asset to the company and a stronger candidate for full-time employment.
Finally, Be Sure to Ask for What You Want
All of the above advice shows your supervisors and colleagues that you are taking an active interest in your role and that you’d be a valuable addition to the team, but vocalizing that interest is paramount when it comes to showing that initiative and sealing the deal! Don’t be afraid to schedule a conversation with your supervisor to let them know how much you’ve learned from the experience as an intern and how you’d like to apply that knowledge to a full-time role.
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Eliana Spiess is BioBuzz’s Editorial Intern. She is currently working towards her BA in Human Biology and English Literature, and her MPH in Epidemology and Biostatistics. Eliana is passionate about increasing scientific literacy in the general population and loves writing about all things science, biotech, and finding one’s niche in those spaces as she works toward finding her own.
