Finding internships in the life sciences sector can be tough, but it's definitely possible. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey:
- Start early. The best internships are often filled months in advance, so don't wait until the last minute to start your search.
Even if internship positions are not open or public, there are still ways to find and get internship opportunities. Here are a few tips:
- Network with people in the field. Talk to your professors, mentors, and friends who are working in the life sciences. They may be able to connect you with people at companies or organizations that are hiring interns, even if they don't have any public postings.
- Reach out to companies and organizations directly. Even if a company or organization doesn't have any internship postings, you can still reach out to them to inquire about internship opportunities. Send them a personalized email or LinkedIn message explaining why you're interested in their company or organization and why you think you would be a good fit for an internship.
- Attend industry events. Industry events are a great way to meet people who work in the life sciences and learn about potential internship opportunities.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to each internship. Highlight your skills and experience that are relevant to the specific internship.
Be persistent. Don't give up if you don't get the first internship that you apply for. Keep applying and networking until you find an internship that's a good fit for you.
Be proactive. Don't wait for internship opportunities to come to you. Be proactive and reach out to companies and organizations directly.
Get involved in research. Research experience is one of the best things you can do to make yourself a more competitive candidate for internships. Talk to your professors about research opportunities in their labs. You can also find research internships at companies and organizations.
Be comfortable with speaking of your accomplishments and interests related to area of internship. When you're applying for internships, be sure to highlight your skills and experience. Explain why you're interested in the company or organization and why you think you would be a good fit for an internship.
"Don't be afraid to fail. It's not the end of the world, and in many ways, it's the first step toward learning something and getting better at it." - Jon Hamm
Remember, you are capable of great things! Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and apply for internships. The worst that can happen is you don't get the internship, but you'll learn something from the experience and be better prepared for the next one.
Here is how you can get started with the process:
Action items:
Make a list of companies and organizations that you're interested in working for.
Keep a track of the companies and organizations that you've contacted and the dates that you contacted them. This will help you stay organized and follow up with people in a timely manner.
Be prepared to answer common internship interview questions.
Follow up with people after you've interviewed for an internship. Send a thank-you note to the interviewer and let them know that you're still interested in the internship.
Well, let’s take a look at a Cover letter template for an Internship position.
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I am writing to express my interest in the [Internship Position Name] internship position at [Company Name]. I am a [Year] at [University Name], pursuing “Course name” with a strong desire to learn about “Company’s project / you interest area”. I am eager to gain hands-on experience in the field, and I believe that my skills and experience make me a strong candidate for this internship.
In my coursework, I have gained a strong foundation in the fundamentals of the life sciences, including biology, chemistry, and physics. I have also taken courses in more specialized areas, such as [List of Specialized Courses]. In addition to my coursework, I have also gained research experience in the [Lab Name] lab at [University Name]. In this lab, I worked on a project to [Describe Project].
I am a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a strong work ethic. I am confident that I can make a significant contribution to your team and I am eager to learn from your experienced professionals.
I am particularly interested in this internship because I am passionate about [Company Name]'s work in [Area of Interest]. I am eager to learn more about [Specific Area of Interest] and to contribute to your team's mission.
I have attached my resume for your review. I am available for an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Tips for writing a winning cover letter:
Be specific. Tailor your cover letter to the specific internship position that you are applying for. Highlight the skills and experience that are most relevant to the position.
Be enthusiastic. Show the hiring manager that you are excited about the internship and the company.
Be honest. Don't try to be someone you're not. The hiring manager wants to get to know the real you.
Proofread carefully. Make sure that your cover letter is free of errors in grammar and spelling.
Additionally, here are some tips for making your cover letter stand out:
Quantify your accomplishments. Whenever possible, use numbers and metrics to quantify your accomplishments. This will help the hiring manager to see the impact that you have made in your previous roles.
Tailor your cover letter to the company. Take the time to learn about the company and its culture before you write your cover letter. This will help you to tailor your cover letter to the company and to show the hiring manager that you are a good fit for the position.
Be yourself. The most important thing is to be yourself in your cover letter. The hiring manager wants to get to know the real you, so don't try to be someone you're not.
To get the specificities in your cover letter, you need to do your research on the company and the internship position.
Here are a few tips:
Visit the company's website. Read the company's mission statement, values, and about page. This will give you a good understanding of the company's work and culture.
Look at the company's social media pages. This is a great way to learn about the company's recent projects and news.
Read articles and blog posts about the company. This can help you to learn more about the company's industry and the trends that are shaping it.
Talk to people who work at the company. If you know anyone who works at the company, ask them about their experience and what they like about working there.
Look at the job description (if available) for the internship position. Carefully read the job description and highlight the skills and experience that are required.
Once you have a good understanding of the company and the internship position, you can start to think about how your skills and experience match the position.
What specific projects or areas of the company's work are you most interested in? How can your skills and experience help the company to achieve its goals?
Once you have identified your specific interests and how you can match the position, you can start to write your cover letter. Be sure to highlight your specific skills and experience, and explain why you are interested in the company and the internship position.
Here is an example of a specific sentence that you can add to your cover letter:
I am particularly interested in this internship because I am passionate about [Company Name]'s work in [Area of Interest]. I am eager to learn more about [Specific Area of Interest] and to contribute to your team's mission. For example, I was particularly intrigued by your recent work on [Project Name]. I believe that my skills and experience in [Relevant Skills and Experience] would be a valuable asset to your team as you continue to work on this important project.
You can also add a sentence or two about why you are interested in the project and how it relates to your career goals. For example:
I am particularly interested in [Project Name] because it aligns with my career goal of becoming a [Career Goal]. I am eager to learn more about the project and to contribute to its success.
This sentence shows the hiring manager/ decision maker that you are passionate about the company's work and that you have specific knowledge of the company's projects. It also shows that you are confident in your skills and experience, and that you are eager to contribute to the company's success.
Getting an internship in the life sciences can be challenging, but it's definitely possible by following these tips. Just remember to network, be proactive, and persistent in your efforts.
If you have any queries, you can email us at team@metishive.com
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