Internships
The NIH Biotechnology trainees spend two-plus months conducting research at many biotechnology firms or private laboratories. Trainees are encouraged to look at this internship as a “fourth rotation” that can inform subsequent graduate school and career decisions.
Trainees follow their interests to “choose their own adventure”), which is catalyzed by program courses, activities, and individual mentorship by program leadership. Occasionally, these internships will be linked to a collaboration between the trainee’s mentor at WSU and a biotechnology firm. Similarly, collaboration may also be a result of the trainee’s internship.
Past Internship Hosts
- A sample of recent hosts is shown on our Internships Outcomes page.
- Trainees should contact the program coordinator for access to our full database of past internships and current alumni placements.
Resources for Finding an Internship
- Our program’s “Concrete Steps” curriculum for networking and securing industry collaborations.
- Database of past trainee internships and alumni current job placements to facilitate internship searches. Current trainees should contact Matt to access these data.
From WSU
Additionally, the Academic Success and Career Center at WSU gave a presentation on career and internship searches which may be useful, found at the following link: ASCC Internships and Career Search (pptx)
Other Useful links
This post from Novoresume includes advice on constructing resumes, writing cover letters, contacting companies, and preparing for interviews for internships.
For Current Trainees
Database Access Request
To get access to the program’s database of previous internships and alumni current positions email matthew.peck@wsu.edu
Securing Program Approval
All internships must be approved in advance by the Program Director to ensure (a) appropriate scientific and financial support and (b) satisfaction of program requirements.
Trainees, please fill out an Internship Approval Form. Start with the survey step, then check-in with program leadership (alert Matt), and finally show that your research advisor is aware of your plans by attaining their signature.
Internship Requirements:
A WSU-NIH Biotech internship…
- Is at least 8 weeks long.
- Is at a Biotech firm, NOT a government (.gov) or academic (.edu) location.
- Allowed to be a connection with trainee’s WSU laboratory, but the internship work must be distinctive from existing thesis project work.
- Is an experience that breaks from regular WSU interactions, allowing cultural emersion.
- Must involve a research problem and face-to-face experience with the company’s culture.
- Is financially supported in part by the firm, as salary or other compensation, to cover, at a minimum, additional living and travel expenses incurred.