"Finding My Path: How an Internship Shaped My Post-PhD Career Plans"
By Yuexuan Chen, PhD Candidate in Immunology, Microbiology and Virology
As a fourth-year PhD candidate, I often found myself wondering: What should I do after graduation? Should I pursue a career in industry, or should I stay in academia and apply for a postdoctoral position? At that time, I felt stuck. I had been a student my entire life, without any gap years, and I had little knowledge about careers in the industry. I wasn’t sure if I was ready to make the transition from student to employee or if I would even enjoy working in a corporate environment. When I shared my concerns with my mentor, she suggested that doing an internship could help me make a more informed decision. She also encouraged me to connect with myHub Career Services for additional support. I’m incredibly grateful for her advice, as I had never considered an internship before. Her encouragement made a huge difference, and I deeply appreciate her support throughout the process. Even though I had to suspend my PhD projects for 12 weeks, I knew it would be worth it if I could gain exposure to the industry. I hoped the experience would help me develop a deeper understanding of the field, gain insight into various roles, and build a network of professionals. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I made during my PhD.
Starting My Internship Search
Once I decided to pursue an internship during the summer of 2024, I reached out to myHub for individualized support. I received invaluable guidance from Eric Vaughn, Director of Career Services, who provided tips on where to find internship opportunities and how to prepare my application materials, including my resume and cover letter. I began applying for internships online in early January. In hindsight, I realized that I started a bit late, as many companies had already posted positions as early as October. Despite that, I managed to secure several interviews, and by mid-March, I had accepted an offer to join Blueprint Medicines as a biology intern.
My Experience at Blueprint Medicines
Blueprint Medicines is a global biopharmaceutical company that develops life-changing medicines. The company focuses on two key areas: oncology/hematology and allergy/inflammation, using a platform of thousands of inhibitors to address critical medical challenges. As a biology intern, I was given a project to work on, which made me feel like a valuable part of the team from the start. I had one-on-one meetings with my manager twice a week—on Mondays to set plans for the week and on Fridays to review the results from the previous week. I also participated in the biology department meeting every Tuesday afternoon, the project meeting every Thursday morning, and a journal club once a month. These meetings gave me a better understanding of the company's culture, its goals, and its accomplishments. The lab techniques I used at Blueprint were similar to those I used in my academic lab, including cell culture, gene editing, Western blotting, and fluorescent staining. However, I was impressed by the company’s advanced, automated equipment, which made experiments faster and more accurate. With the guidance of my manager and support from the project team, I was able to complete my project ahead of schedule. I gave an oral presentation about my progress during a project meeting in the middle of my internship, and I presented a poster to the entire company at the end of my internship. These presentations helped me improve my communication and presentation skills, which are crucial for both academia and industry.
What I Learned About the Industry
Beyond technical skills, this internship gave me a much clearer understanding of what it means to be an employee in the industry, and how that role differs from being a student. In academia, we often work independently, focusing on our specific projects. In contrast, in the industry, collaboration is key. I saw firsthand how cross-departmental collaboration brings ideas to life and helps turn scientific discoveries into real-world solutions that benefit patients. Another major takeaway was the importance of networking. Blueprint Medicines had a well-structured internship program, with plenty of activities that helped me and my fellow interns settle into the company. One of the most memorable activities was volunteering for the Prison Book Program, where we helped sort and pack books for people in prison. These activities helped me build meaningful connections with other interns and employees across different departments.I also found that my coworkers, whether within my department or in other teams, were always approachable and willing to help. This collaborative environment made me feel welcomed and supported throughout my internship.
Reflection and Gratitude
I’m incredibly glad I had the opportunity to intern at Blueprint Medicines. It was an unforgettable experience that allowed me to gain new knowledge, learn cutting-edge techniques, and understand how the industry operates. Most importantly, it helped me decide what I want to do after graduation. I’m also grateful to have met new friends from diverse backgrounds, and I feel fortunate to have worked under such an amazing principal investigator, Dr. Ruth Serra-Moreno, who was always supportive of my career exploration. I want to thank myHub’s Eric for his guidance and the myHub for providing fellowship support, which made this internship possible. If you have any questions about my internship experience or career transition, feel free to reach out to me at Yuexuan_Chen@URMC.Rochester.edu. I’ll be happy to share more insights and advice.
Final Thoughts
In summary, this internship experience helped me transition from academia to industry by providing valuable insights into the working environment, company culture, and roles within a biopharmaceutical company. It also reinforced my belief that internships are an excellent way to bridge the gap between student life and professional life.
For those considering a career in the industry after graduation, I highly recommend exploring internship opportunities. It’s a great way to gain hands-on experience, expand your network, and discover what path is right for you.
To learn more about internships, please schedule an appointment with myHub.
Katherine Bognanno | 1/13/2025
