What Can a Week of Work Experience in Health and Biotech Teach You?

Embarking on a journey towards a career in health and biotechnology is both exciting and daunting. For young students eager to explore these dynamic fields, getting work experience can set them firmly on this rewarding career choice. 

But what exactly can a week of work experience in health and biotech teach you? 

As an aspiring health and biotech expert, a week of work experience will give you an overview of what working as a health and biotech professional is like. 

By working alongside industry experts and performing tasks, you can develop your knowledge and skills. You will gain insight into the role and sector and develop valuable contacts for the future. 

Additionally, a week of work experience will help you clarify your career goals and find a potential reference for future job applications. 

We have a week-long work experience program designed to help you achieve this outcome. The program offers an immersive dive into the health and biotech fields, providing invaluable hands-on experience and insights. 

Ready to gain insight and remove any guesswork and assumptions about this career choice?

See what a week of work experience in health and biotech roles can teach you.

Day 1: Introduction to Cutting-Edge Research Facilities

Do not think that a health and biotech firm is like the stereotypical office environment where everyone sits quietly at their desk, gets on with their work for the day, and has limited interaction with their colleagues. For most, this work experience marks the beginning of an extraordinary journey into the heart of scientific discovery and innovation.

Gearing up for discovery

Before arriving for your first day, you may feel anxious. Still, as you step into the cutting-edge research facilities of the health and biotech firm, you will be overwhelmed by the remarkable work of science and technology as it unfolds before your very eyes. This will make you forget about your worries as you embrace the excitement. 

Witnessing the wonders of science

A typical first day begins with a tour led by a seasoned expert. The expert explains the basics, shows you where to go, educates you about the different departments in the biotech firm, and introduces you to key individuals.

Your first stop might be a genetics lab, where the biotech expert will show you the intricate workings of DNA manipulation. You will be exposed to researchers isolating specific genes, using cutting-edge tools like CRISPR to edit their code with pinpoint accuracy.

Meeting the minds behind the science

One of the most enriching aspects of day one is the opportunity to interact with the brilliant researchers who fuel these advancements. 

Don’t be shy – you can engage them in conversation! You will be able to ask them about their research projects, their motivations, and the challenges they face. 

By engaging with them, you’ll learn firsthand how theoretical concepts learned in textbooks translate into practical applications and gain invaluable tips and insights to help you chart your own course in health and biotech.

Day 2: Networking with Industry Experts

You may have heard your parents or teacher say, “It’s not what you know; it’s who you know?” This is very true, especially in the professional space. Having people who can advise, mentor, vouch for your skills, or introduce you to recruitment managers and industry leaders can set you up favourably against the competition. That’s why you hear so much about networking. 

Day one was about getting introduced to cutting-edge facilities and seeing science in action using state-of-the-art technology. Day two provides the opportunity to forge a deeper connection with the experts you met on day one and meet top company executives and field specialists who are tackling real-world challenges.

These sessions aren’t merely meet-and-greets. We’ve structured them for maximum impact. There will be panels and roundtable discussions offering insights into emerging trends, providing participants with a glimpse into the future of health and biotech.

Hence, we advise undergraduate students participating in the program to prepare insightful questions for day two. This will help you extract the knowledge and experience these experts possess.

For instance, recent trends in biotechnology are moving towards innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation to optimise production. Consequently, there has been a rise in consumer biotech or biotechnology products targeted directly at customers instead of biopharma or healthcare businesses.

Day two allows you to hear from those leading the implementation of such innovations. If you feel nervous about starting conversations, remember that the worst thing that can happen is that they will ignore you (which is unlikely in this circumstance). 

In fact, many people appreciate the bravery of participants who take charge of the dialogue and begin the conversation. Such confidence can help you get noticed. 

To help you out, here are some great questions to spark discussion:

• What’s your current role?
• What does a typical day look like for you?
• How did your experience help you secure your current position?
• What is the current job market in health and biotech?
• What skills are most sought-after? 
• What are the emerging trends that will shape the future of these industries?
• Any advice for people who are looking to get into your industry?
• What are some important things I should look for when applying for jobs?

The opportunity to network with industry leaders provides a foundation for building your professional relationships from a young age that offers many benefits, including:

• Building relationships
• Get career advice and support
• Get access to job opportunities
• Build confidence
• Grow your brand
• Build your credibility
• Strengthen business connections
• Get an answer to every question
• Meeting recruiters and more.

Inspiring stories and shared passions

Beyond the practical advice, you can also inquire about their career journeys, what led them to a career in genetic engineering, the challenges they’ve faced, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Remember, people love to talk about themselves and will appreciate that you’ve taken the time to review and take an interest in them. 

Just note key points that will help you solidify your passion for making a difference in these critical fields. Also, try to remember all the vital information they shared should you ever bump into them again within the week or beyond.

Related reading: How To Network As A Student?

Day 3: Immersive Learning at Biotech Startups

Days one and two laid the foundations by introducing you to the health facilities and giving you the opportunity to network and get answers to some of the burning questions you have about a health and biotech career. On day three of the one-week work experience, you will engage actively. Hence, you will be paired with an expert with whom you will work throughout the day. 

The biotech professional will introduce you to his job, which can include checking on samples left overnight, characterising samples from the previous day to integrate the data collected the previous day, and characterising new samples that have come in that day.

You will also be taken to a startup incubator/lab where you will be exposed to diverse young companies developing revolutionary solutions to various health and biotech problems.

Rolling up your sleeves

As we said, day three is about getting some hands-on experience designed to deepen your understanding of the biotech industry, so forget about passive observation on this day.

Some hands-on activities you’ll enjoy on this day can include: 

• Assisting in actual experiments like making your DNA extraction tool or, learning the intricacies of creating 3D scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
• Brainstorming sessions for product development and contributing your fresh perspective to the problem-solving process. 

Through these demonstrations, you’ll gain practical experience in the biotechnology field and understand the innovative processes involved in research and development.

Science meets business

While getting your hands and mind busy, your third day will also include learning about the entrepreneurial spirit that drives these startups forward. You will learn about the challenges and triumphs of building a biotech company from the ground up, gaining valuable insights into business and innovation.

Perhaps you’ll learn the art of communication and persuasion within the pharmaceutical industry as you observe teams from the incubator pitching their innovative concept to potential investors.

Day 4: Exploring Healthcare Institutions

Day 4 bridges the scientific advancements you witnessed earlier in the week and their real-world application in patient care, public health and pharmaceutical companies. This holistic perspective reinforces the importance of health and biotech in improving lives and building a healthier future for all.

On this day, participants visit a renowned hospital, where they witness innovation translate into tangible improvements in patient care and public health. Here, you will see how health professionals (doctors and nurses) use the latest medical technologies to solve their patients’ health challenges. 

This real-world exposure starkly contrasts the theoretical concepts you might have encountered in textbooks.

Your exploration won’t be limited to high-tech interventions. You’ll also have a chance to visit a specialised clinic that provides compassionate care for patients with chronic illnesses. This exposure broadens your understanding of the diverse facets of healthcare, from preventative measures and early diagnosis to treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care.

Balancing innovation and compassion

Biotechnology has ushered in a new era of possibilities in healthcare, revolutionising the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. However, healthcare isn’t just about cutting-edge technology and groundbreaking treatments. It also involves navigating complex ethical considerations. 

Therefore, participants get to discuss patient privacy, informed consent, and resource allocation with healthcare professionals. These discussions will challenge you to think critically about the human implications of medical advancements and the importance of upholding ethical principles in patient care.

Remember that with great power comes great responsibility, and ethical considerations play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of biotechnological advancements. 

As we continue to push the boundaries, you will learn about what is possible, even as professionals in the health and biotech sector must tread carefully, guided by compassion, justice, and a commitment to the greater good.

Day 5: Reflection and Career Guidance

There is this misconception that you need weeks of work experience in a health and biotech firm to gain real knowledge. Even though a week of work experience is not extensive, it is enough to learn about the role, experience what it’s like working as a health and biotech professional, and see what aspects you may like or not.

Unveiling your potential

In just a week of work experience, you will see lots of new and exciting things each day, so keeping a diary of how it went from day one is essential.

Day 5 of the program is dedicated to reflection and career guidance. A career guidance workshop is set up to help participants reflect on the week’s experience. 

You’ll engage in self-assessment exercises to help you identify your strengths and interests, giving insights into the ideal career paths that align with your unique skills and aspirations.

Some career paths include quality assurance, public health advocacy, bioinformatics, data analysis and medical technology development jobs.

From passion to action

Guided by educators and industry professionals, you will receive tips on how to prepare for interviews, find internship opportunities, industrial placements, summer placements, and create an outstanding CV that showcases your expertise, hobbies, and achievements. 

You will also be provided with resources to help you develop skills such as planning and coordinating communication. By engaging in this reflection and career guidance exercise, you’ll be well-equipped to make informed decisions about your future educational and career choices. 

This newfound self-awareness, connections forged, laboratory skills, and other practical skills gained will make you confident about pursuing this career and contributing meaningfully to the fields of health and biotech. 

At Immerse Education, we have an industry-focused programme called “Career Insights”, where you can learn from professionals in some of the fastest-growing industries, including health and biotechnology.

This programme is akin to your university careers service. You can take advantage of this by participating in the programmes and learning from specialists in the field. You’ll receive functional feedback and personal career coaching that can shape your career prospects in the health and biotech fields.

Content is designed to offer participants practical insight and inspire them to begin carving out their future careers.

To register or learn more about the program, visit the Career Insights Pathways page.

Final thoughts

A week of work experience as a health and biotech professional will set you on a learning path filled with hands-on experience and real-world exposure that bridges the gap between theory and practice, classroom learning, and real-world application. 

You will be allowed to network with industry leaders and grow your network. Building a solid network will make it easier to find and pursue opportunities to boost your career, facilitate landing a future interview at the company where you’ve always wanted to work, help you discover job openings before others know about it and more.

By actively engaging and exploring diverse healthcare settings, you’ll develop practical skills and better understand the challenges and opportunities within the health and biotech sector.

To summarise, a Week of Work Experience in health and biotech is a transformative learning journey designed to equip participants with hands-on experience, industry insights and trends, and networking opportunities essential for future career success.

Want some help with getting started on your Learning journey? 

Join us at Immerse Education for immersive learning that empowers young minds to thrive in their chosen paths.