My most interesting moment was going to the product lab at Biogen and seeing the process of packaging medicine. I also got the opportunity to see a device that simulated the digestive system and the processes on how medication is ingested/digested.

My biggest challenge was not being able to be exposed to the Community Labs in person (I understand safety is first). I would have liked to engage with the students on a more personal level. However, it was great seeing the students start and finish their research projects focused on neurological diseases. I learned a lot from the students during my virtual experience with them. I didn’t know that Vitamin D has connection with multiple sclerosis.

During my experience, I was also able to interview many employees at Biogen from directors to a manufacturing associate. My biggest takeaway is that you don’t need a Science or Math background to work at Biogen. Biogen offers many career opportunities for their employees. This knowledge of career opportunities has changed they way I look and think about biotechnology companies. I feel I am better equipped to inform my students about the biotechnology/life sciences career pathway.

During my internship I have been able to see and learn some great things about the biotechnology industry. I was able to take a tour of Biogen, learn about various careers in the field, Community Labs observations and listen to a personal story of Alzheimer’s. I was even able to put on a PPE gown before entering sterile areas of Biogen, this was exciting and nerve racking. While putting on the PPE, I had to make sure I put things on in order, not letting the gown fall to the floor and staying in the clean area. Did I pass the test? 🙂

What has been mostly great is that I was also able to participate in a Psychological Safety Inclusive Leadership Training. Creating a culture of trust and building relationships is important in the workplace and I also could see the importance in an education setting. Being apart of this training would allow me to transfer what I have learned and expose students and teachers on the importance of building a culture of trust in the workplace. 

It has been somewhat of challenge because most of my internship is online due to COVID (understanding safety is 1st). In the beginning with my team we struggled with narrowing down a product that would reflect our internships and our district’s mission of building a career pipeline to biotechnology careers. As a group we are all creative and have so many great ideas for a product, I think we may have come up with a solution for creating a PD for teachers.