Dive into the Thrilling Adventure of a Biology Summer Internship
A biology summer internship is a program that enables students invested in biology to gain hands-on experience and practical knowledge in this field. You will gain a variety of skills within the program such as teamwork, leadership, organization, problem-solving, and much more. You will also get the opportunity to work with biology educators, researchers, professionals, organizations, etc. A biology summer internship is a great place for a student to embrace their interest in science and learn to apply their skills in the real world.
How do you get a biology summer internship? What are the other types of benefits I get from doing one? This blog post will cover these questions. Continue reading below to learn the many ways to get an internship and understand why it is so beneficial!
How to get a Biology Internship
Getting a biology summer internship can be competitive. You must be able to show on your application and resume that you are thoroughly invested in biology. This internship is a place where students can develop important skills, apply their theoretical knowledge, experiment in a lab setting, aid research projects, contribute to scientific advancements, and analyze data. All of these things can be rigorous work which is why the viewers of the application you turn in want to see that you are willing to do what it takes to be successful in the internship.
Below are a few important steps you must takes to increase your chances of getting a biology summer internship:
CONDUCT RESEARCH:
Start your research by looking for institutions, research centers, companies, organizations, or universities that offer a biology internship. From there, try to find an opportunity that specifically aligns with your interest. A few examples of specific biology internships are:
Environmental Conservation Intern
Biotechnology Intern
Clinical Research Intern
Marine Biology Intern
Genetics Research Intern
Pharmaceutical Intern
A great way to conduct research is participate in a research program, like the Inspirit AI Scholars program. In the AI Scholars program, many students work on a research project at the intersection of AI + Biology. You can view example projects here.
Inspirit AI offers a unique and comprehensive learning experience in the field of artificial intelligence, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in this rapidly evolving domain. The program boasts a team of expert instructors who are at the forefront of AI research, ensuring that you receive top-notch guidance and knowledge.
START NETWORKING:
Make yourself known. By networking, you should be making connections with professors, professionals in the biology field, and mentors who possibly know about getting you access to a summer biology internship. Leverage yourself to discover as many internship opportunities as possible. You can also attend career fairs, biology related seminars, and conferences where you could meet professionals and ask them about an available biology internship.
LOOK AT ONLINE RESOURCES:
Look at the various online platforms that are dedicated to internships and other job opportunities. You can view internship websites, university career portals, and job boards. A lot of the internships you can get can be found on these locations online which makes it much easier to get access to relevant opportunities. Some websites you can look at for internships are:
LinkedIn
WayUp
Handshake
Idealist
Glassdoor
Chegg Internships
GoAbroad
FIX YOUR RESUME:
Build your resume in a way to highlight your relevant coursework, research projects, lab experience, etc. that will help with boosting your chances of getting a biology internship. Make sure to note down all of your biology-related achievements or skills. This is a good way of impressing the application viewer. Also, make sure to clearly convey your passion in biology, eagerness to learn, and your ability to work with groups.
FIND A RECOMMENDATION:
Find a professor, lab supervisor, or professional who you believe will provide you with a strong recommendation. Let them know beforehand about how you want to apply to a biology summer internship and request their support. Make sure to plan ahead of time and make sure you create strong connections with any people with the positions stated above. It is important to do this because a stronger connection to these people allows for a strong recommendation letter. The person referencing you will have more to write about if they know you better. Overall, having a reputable reference helps with enhancing your resume for an internship.
APPLYING AHEAD OF TIME:
Every internship has a deadline for when you must submit your resume and application. You must make sure that you plan your time accordingly and make sure you have everything ready before the deadline. Submitting your application and resume far ahead of the deadline shows that you are invested and have enthusiasm for the internship. A lot of internships have limited positions so you must make sure you submit your application early if you do not want to miss out. Some internships are very competitive so it is critical to stay sharp.
PREPARING FOR THE INTERVIEW:
Another determinant of your acceptance into an internship is how you present yourself in person or on a video call. Make sure you research the company/organization beforehand and familiarize yourself with the projects currently being worked on at the company. You must know about the internship you are being accepted into thoroughly. Knowing this information during the interview allows you to showcase your knowledge, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the internship. This will let the interviewer know that you are well prepared for the biology internship which can boost your chances of acceptance. To prepare yourself further, practice your responses and show confidence. You should be able to anticipate the type of interview questions that will be asked as well.
FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
This may seem obvious to many but make sure to double-check your application before submitting. Look at your application and resume and check to see if you are missing any key information /necessary documentation. Check to ensure that your recommendation letters, transcripts, writing samples, etc. are all in the correct place before submitting. Any possible typos, errors, or missing information can make you appear unprepared which can lower your chances of securing the internship opportunity.
FOLLOWING UP
An important step to complete at the end of the application and/or interview process is to follow up with the facility that is holding the biology summer internship. Your email could either be a follow up email, and thank-you letter, or it could be both. Writing these emails leaves a positive impression and demonstrates professionalism.
The purpose of the follow up email is to make sure everything is going according to plan. You can also ask for additional information related to the internship or it can even be a question asking when you can expect a letter of decision.
In the thank-you letter, you should convey your gratitude for the opportunity. This email does not have to be long. The email should show that you are grateful and should reiterate your interest in the internship.
Benefits of a Biology Summer Internship
One of the most notable benefits of a Biology Summer Internship is that you gain valuable experience that may not be accessible anywhere else. Below are some of the best benefits of a biology internship.
DIRECT EXPERIENCE:
A biology summer internship provides you with hands-on experience which enables students to apply their theoretical biology knowledge that was acquired from the classroom setting to a practical real-world situation. This helps the student develop important skills and form a deeper understanding of biology concepts that are not possible by only learning in the classroom. By engaging in activities in the internship like lab work, fieldwork, and research projects, the student will feel as though they are strengthening their application of their biology knowledge.
CAREER EXPLORATION:
A biology internship opens the door to a variety of different career paths in biology for one to choose from. Within the internship, you are exposed to all kinds of concepts and facts in subfields like genetics, ecology, and biotechnology. Being aware of all these new subfields in biology can help a student make informed decisions about their future career path.
NETWORKING:
In an internship, you get the opportunity to meet professionals in the field of biology. The internship helps you make connections to these people. Networking with people like researchers, industry experts, mentors, etc. can open the door to future collaboration, job opportunities, and mentorship.
IMPROVED RESUME:
By having a biology summer internship on your resume, it will show that you took the interest to explore your passion. It demonstrates that you have the practical experience and dedication to the field of biology. Your resume will stand out among others when applying for jobs or academic programs which gives you the competitive edge.
POTENTIAL JOB OPPORTUNITIES:
Having a biology summer internship can possibly lead to job offers or can provide you with a strong reference for future job applications. Performing well during your internship and creating a positive impression, you may have the chance to secure full-time job opportunities.
Take Advantage of Your Biology Passion
Now that you know all about a biology summer internship, it is time to take action. Start researching and look for an opportunity that suits you. Find a summer internship with an application deadline that is far away which will give you plenty of time to work on it.
If you have a strong passion for biology and hope to apply your knowledge in the real world, now is the time to apply for an internship. The benefits are very impactful and can lead to a successful future!
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10 session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
