What drew you to applying for an internship at Pacific Edge?

I have a background in cancer research at the University of Otago and I am a current medical student, so I wanted to utilise the time I had over the summer by dipping back into science, all be it through a different lens. I loved the idea of spending my summer break engaging in cancer research again and furthering my understanding of how commercial medical research and product testing worked. The internship at Pacific Edge gave me the opportunity to learn more about clinical trials and science in a non-academic setting, and being based in Dunedin was a bonus as I was able to enjoy a Dunedin summer.

What did you most enjoy about the internship?

During my internship, I got to work alongside a fantastic supervisor, the wider clinical trials team and the three other interns. These relationships really made such a positive impact on my experience during the 10-week internship. As someone who is very task-oriented and detail-oriented, the work that I was doing was well-suited to me, and it was great to look back after the 10 weeks and see the contribution I had made.

I found that everyone in the office was so welcoming, and I tested my general knowledge with the group at lunchtime by doing the daily stuff quiz together. It was also awesome to participate in the company social events with colleagues from all different departments, building strong personal and professional relationships.

What aspect of the internship did you find most useful?

I loved that this internship gave me a real “look behind the curtain” of clinical trials and the village of people it takes to undertake them. Entering the internship, I had never engaged with clinical trial research before, so I am now more upskilled in the process. Undertaking the Good Clinical Practice training helped me better understand the international standard for designing and conducting trials. In addition, the internship allowed me to refine my skills for working in a commercial setting and further develop important soft skills such as collaboration, teamwork, and communication.

What do you love about the Dunedin lifestyle now that you’ve nearly finished university?

After all my years in Dunedin, I have come to see Dunedin as home. I love the community I have built here. Although I have gone back to studying again, I could not imagine myself in a different city. There is something very special about Dunedin, where everything is only ~10 mins away; it’s so easy to escape to the beach or into nature, surrounded by native birds. In addition, there is a culture to lap up in our mini-Edinburgh.

Any general advice or tips for aspiring interns?

My advice for future interns is to come into the internship with a mindset to make the most of your time here. This means you'll need to be adaptable and prepared to take on any challenge you might face. But also remember that you are here working with a great team who are so knowledgeable, so utilise them for support, ask questions, and be prepared to go with them with possible solutions.

If you’re on the fence about applying, you definitely should! My advice for those considering applying for an internship at Pacific Edge is to apply even if you don’t think your background/ abilities are a perfect fit, because you never know if the transferable skills you could bring to the team are exactly what they are looking for.