When I first received the email confirming my internship offer at Novartis, I was thrilled, but I was also nervous. This would be my first time stepping into a large global biotech company, working alongside scientists and data professionals with years of experience. I wondered if I would be able to keep up, if my skills were enough, and if I could contribute meaningfully in such a specialised space.
Walking into the Biologics Research Centre on my first day felt a bit like entering a different world. The pace was fast, the projects complex, and the vocabulary dense with scientific and technical terms. I had used R and Python before, but working on real-world datasets in high-performance computing environments was another level entirely. There was a quiet pressure I put on myself: to prove I belonged, to impress my mentors, and to finish my projects flawlessly.
But I quickly learnt that the key to thriving was not knowing everything; rather, it was learning how to learn. I gave myself permission to ask questions, to admit when I did not know something, and to lean on my mentors for guidance. I took time to understand the team’s workflows, explore the data thoroughly before rushing into analysis, and observe how experienced scientists approached problem-solving.
Outside of my direct work, I sought out conversations. I talked to people in different teams, asked about their career paths, and learnt about the diverse roles that keep a biotech company running. I met inspiring leaders like Vas Narasimhan, CEO of Novartis, and Dr. Fiona Marshall, President of Biomedical Research, whose visions for the future of medicine reminded me of the bigger picture my small projects contributed to.
By the end of the summer, I had presented my work at Poster Day, built pipelines I was proud of, and gained not just technical skills but also confidence in my ability to navigate new and challenging environments.
If I could offer advice to students preparing for internships, it would be this:
- It is okay not to know everything on day one. Your willingness to learn will matter more than your ability to impress immediately.
- Ask questions—lots of them. Curiosity is a strength, not a weakness.
- Build relationships, not just a resume. Some of my most valuable lessons came from informal conversations.
- See the big picture. Remember that your work, no matter how small it feels, is part of something larger.
You are not behind if you are still learning; you are building the foundation for what’s next. Trust your pace, invest in relationships, and embrace the growth that comes from stepping into the unknown.
Edem Wordi, a junior studying the Life Sciences, serves as a Student Assistant in the Career Development Office, helping advance initiatives that connect students with valuable career resources.
