How to Make the Most of Your Internship Experience

Author: Justine Khalil, PharmD

Views are my own and do not reflect my employer.

---

As summer begins, many students are starting internships or industry APPE rotations. For some, this may be your first experience in the pharmaceutical industry. This is an exciting opportunity and can be a strong stepping stone for your future career.

One of the biggest keys to making the most of your experience is being intentional. This means being thoughtful about your goals, conversations, projects, and professional growth. Below are a few tips to help you enter your internship prepared and make the experience as intentional and impactful as possible.

1. Identify your goals and objectives.

Your manager may already have specific objectives for you, but it is also important to think about what you want to gain from the experience. If there are functional areas you want to explore, processes you would like to observe, or conversations you want to be part of, make those interests known. Your preceptor wants you to have a valuable experience, and sharing your goals can help them identify opportunities that align with your interests. 

Before your internship begins, set aside time to reflect on what you hope to learn and the experiences you want to pursue. If you are unsure where to start, networking can help you better understand the options available to you.

2. Begin expanding your network.

If you are interested in a career in the pharmaceutical industry, building your network is very important. Take time to learn from people in areas that interest you. Ask about their day-to-day responsibilities, the most impactful projects they’ve had, and how their work contributes to the broader organization.

These conversations help you better understand where you may see yourself long term. They can also give you a clearer view of how different functions work together to bring value to patients. The more you understand how other teams operate, the more well-rounded and prepared you will be in future conversations.

During my internships, I set a goal of having at least three introductory one-on-one conversations each week outside of my core team. If your company has post-doctoral fellows, they can be a great place to start. You could also ask your preceptor for recommendations based on the functions you want to learn more about. Be intentional with these conversations and come prepared with thoughtful questions.

3. Gain additional experiences if your bandwidth allows.

Your assigned projects should always remain your top priority. However, if you have the capacity and your manager approves, consider looking for additional ways to gain exposure outside of your core responsibilities.

At the end of a one-on-one conversation with someone whose role interests you, you can ask if there are any meetings, shadowing opportunities, or small projects you can support during your time there. Be clear about your current workload, availability, and timeline. Most importantly, make sure you can prioritize your responsibilities appropriately.

4. Identify your mentors.

By the end of your internship, you will likely have met with several people in areas that interest you. Take time to identify a few individuals you connected with and try to meet with them again before your internship ends.

In these follow-up conversations, ask more specific questions based on what you learned in your first meeting and any new interests that developed throughout your experience.

One piece of advice I received is to identify where you want to be next in your career, find someone currently in that role, and learn from them. If the conversation goes well, ask if they would be open to staying in touch. If they are willing, exchange contact information and consider setting up a quarterly touchpoint.

5. Maintain consistent communication with your preceptor.

As you complete projects or take on additional work, make sure your preceptor stays informed. This is especially important if you are supporting projects from other functions.

If instructions for projects are unclear, ask for clarification. It is always better to show that you are being thoughtful and intentional than to move forward without fully understanding the task.

6. Document everything.

One exercise I recommend is creating a simple table with three columns: Project, Impact, and Collaborators.

For each project, document what you worked on, why the project mattered, and who you collaborated with. If you are unsure of the project’s impact, ask your preceptor to help you understand the “why” behind the work. When it comes time to update your CV or prepare for interviews, you will be glad you kept a clear record of your contributions.

7. Be yourself.

This can be easier said than done, especially in a new environment with new people. However, letting your personality show can help create genuine points of connection with others.

When introducing yourself during one-on-ones or team meetings, consider sharing a few hobbies or personal interests alongside your academic and professional background. Let people get to know more than just your resume. Those small details can make conversations more memorable and help build stronger relationships.

Always be sure to put your best foot forward, and you will do great!