Internship Advice - Rising sophmore with a biology/finance degree at a target
I'm a rising sophomore in a biology/finance dual degree at a target and after my first year and mid-way through my freshman year, I'm already thinking about internships for next summer. One of the things that's making that thought process difficult is one of the requirements--perhaps restrictions would be the better word--of the program. It is required that all students complete a science-related internship at the end of their sophomore year and a business-related internship at the end of their junior year.
I entered the program with a curiosity for business and a background in science, so my business acumen isn't really that impressive (yet). Because of this, I didn't feel that I could be competitive for business-related internships my freshman summer, and instead chose to seek out something more science related. I'm happy that I'm at a successful biotech company doing clinical strategy and even some market research, but I can't help but feel nervous without any experience in finance. Because of this, I want to try to find a science-related internship that will best prepare me for applying to internships in IB or consulting during my junior year. Ideally, I'd want to work somewhere focused on science that would also allow me to work on the business side of things--VC at a hospital, for example. If anyone has any good ideas on how to find an internship like this, I'd really love to hear them. In addition, I'd love some advice on how else to prepare for applying to IB and consulting internships, be it school clubs, personal endeavors, or whatever you think would be useful.
I really appreciate any and all advice I can get; thanks, everyone! As of now, my interests lie in consulting or healthcare/biotech/pharma investing. I know that's pretty broad, and it definitely could change.
Giving this a bump, thanks guys
Seems like you have a great start with your current internship. I wouldn't feel nervous about jumping into a business internship your sophomore year and I don't think you will need to prep yourself to do one with another science-related one - the best way to learn is just to dive into it
Besides your school's on-campus recruiting, I would throw some simple keywords into Google like "heathcare investing", "biotech investing", "healthcare VC" and get an idea of the firms that are out there in the industry. From there you should check out all their websites and look for internships / check your alum directory and cold reach out to people who work at those places. There aren't many established internships for sophomores in this space, so you'll have to do the legwork and find your own opportunity. Network, network, network.
On the personal side, if you want to make it through ib interviews, I would start reading financial accounting, corporate finance textbooks or Investment Banking by Rosenbaum so you are comfortable with technical and fit questions.
Thanks for the advice! I'm definitely looking to learn technical concepts on my own (and I'll be learning them in class as well). I'll definitely look more into biotech investing and healthcare VC to see who's in the industry and if that could lead to a potential internship. Ideally, I'll have the opportunity to gain some business experience while still completing the science internship requirement. If you have any ideas about specific internships that would serve that purpose, please let me know!
Don't want to spam everyone, but I just want to bump this again. Thanks!
You're doing a clinical strategy internship at a biotech company which is outstanding. I'd network closely to whoever the CFO or the head of R&D finance is. Those are your more "finance" guys who keep control of the clinical trial cash burn rates, which is literally the most important thing to consider when running a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company.
Most finance-science based jobs in this sector, are built around post-IND efforts (i.e., clinical strategy around developing a steady cash burn rate for a phase II immunotherapy indication, etc..). Any large/mid-size biopharma company with an extensive pipeline (Regeneron, Shire, Alnylam, etc.) may be able to give you that kind of internship. So I'd call on the VPs of clinical development or R&D finance, and see what hybrid internship program you can get.
Hospitals mainly engage in out-licensing technology for VC opportunity, never investments in VC opportunities outside of the hospital.
PM if as your search goes on and you're running low on networking opps, I know a lot of people in this sector.
Thanks for your advice! I'm actually doing my internship at Regeneron, which has been a great experience. Along with being exposed to clinical strategy, I've also been able to network with people from a bunch of different areas of the company. The company atmosphere alone is enough to make this internship incredibly worthwhile. I've also been keeping up with Shire (as has everyone, I'm sure!); both companies are quite exciting!
I really appreciate your insights for some finance-science possibilities, especially for my sophomore summer internship. While I had structured internship programs in mind, I'm definitely going to look into contacting people and seeing if I can figure out some sort of hybrid internship program.
Thanks again!
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