Before the CCSF Biotech program, my hands-on laboratory experiences were limited and so were my available job opportunities. My most immediate concern before entering the program was landing & maintaining a full time position working with mammalian cells.

I enrolled in the Stem Cell Internship program because I wanted to build on my resume & technical experiences. Additionally, I wanted to improve my interviewing/presentation skills for future positions.

I really enjoyed how the mentors and program coordinators assigned work that improves interns' communication skills. From putting the scientific poster together, peer-reviewing with my mentors, and presenting the data -- this all played a role in helping me internalize the newly learned skills.

After completing my internship, I was most surprised about my growth as a researcher. On paper, I had a detailed list of new techniques learned & how/why I used each assay for my project.

After completing the Stem Cell Internship program, I have been a full-time hire at 3 different biotech companies.

I feel like I am very well prepared for the future, able to handle a dynamic company environment. I transitioned from cell line development research to small-molecule screening, gaining new experiences in cell-based assays.

What advice would you offer to current and future students? What would you tell them to expect as a student of the Biotech program?

I would highly recommend that students put in the time & work when finalizing their poster -- it is a direct reflection of what the intern is capable of in 9-months.

This can be used as an extraordinary tool in showcasing one's skills during an interview.