Pharmaceutical Science UPIP – Three undergraduates reflect on their experiential learning journeys
Ten students from our inaugural Pharmaceutical Science cohort (Class of ’22) undertook 3- to 8-month internships at AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Roquette between the period of May 2019 and January 2020, as part of the NUS Faculty of Science Undergraduate Professional Internship Programme (UPIP).
Through structured internship under UPIP, our students are provided with opportunities for enhanced experiential learning in an actual professional work environment in the pharmaceutical and healthcare-related industry. Being exposed to real-world problems during on-the-job training, the internships enabled students to develop their soft and transferrable skills, in addition to applying their discipline-related technical and scientific knowledge, in the day-to-day working environment.
We hear from three of the interns, Kernix Siew Yuqing (Sales and Marketing intern at AstraZeneca), Ang Xiao Jun (Medical Affairs intern at GlaxoSmithKline) and Vedant Sandhu (Nutrition Research Intern at Roquette) on their different internship experiences at each company, as well as their main takeaways from the programme.
An Astra-ordinary Internship Experience
by Kernix Siew Yuqing (Class of ’22), Sales and Marketing Intern, AstraZeneca
Having spent a whole 7 months in AstraZeneca, my time there had been really enriching and eye-opening. Not only did I get to understand more about the pharmaceutical industry, I have also accumulated much exposure to the sales and marketing functions in the Oncology Business Unit of AstraZeneca.
As a sales and marketing intern, I supported events planning which included coordination and project management for a few projects. One of the more memorable projects would definitely be ESMO Asia 2019. ESMO Asia 2019 was an international congress which gathered renowned international experts to present about the latest science in oncology. Being my first time at an international congress, I was really in awe at the sheer scale and presence that AstraZeneca had. During the congress, I was given the valuable opportunity to also network and interview key personnel from our global offices. It was rewarding to be part of the efforts that contributed to the success of such an event, no matter how small my role was!
Interns from Class of ’22 at ESMO Asia Day 2 (left to right): Kernix Siew Yuqing, Neo Mei Qi and Chan
Sheng You, with colleagues
Through my internship, I also got to learn about the different paths and possible careers in the pharmaceutical industry, especially in the commercial sector. I received many valuable advices from my supervisors and colleagues for my personal and professional development. I would really like to thank AstraZeneca, for this opportunity and exposure; it has truly been a special and Astra-ordinary internship experience!
Interns from Class of ’22 at AstraZeneca (left to right): Chan Sheng You, Kernix Siew, Neo Mei Qi
and Soh Eng Hong
A Memorable GSK Internship Experience
by Ang Xiao Jun (Class of ’22), Medical Affairs Intern, Nutrition and Digestive Health, GlaxoSmithKline
Time sure flies and it is hard to believe that my 8 month-long internship stint at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Nutrition and Digestive Health Category has come to an end.
Embarking on a Medical Affairs role was something novel to me and I am immensely grateful that I took the leap of faith 8 months ago. My internship at GSK has been an incredible learning experience and working in the global company has provided me with a broad exposure and opportunities to learn and collaborate with experts from different disciplines. Being at GSK marked a defining chapter in my career and I am beyond thankful for this invaluable opportunity.
As an intern with the Medical Affairs team, I was entrusted to assist various tasks. Examples include applying scientific rigor to support product benefit claims and preparing the related dossiers, as well as preparing responses with medical inputs for consumer and regulatory enquiries from the different markets across multiple geographies.
Beyond my job scope, I had the pleasure to meet wonderful professionals and leaders from cross-functions who led the way during this internship. I am thankful to be surrounded with individuals who inspired me to become the very best version of myself. They made me realize that life starts outside of my comfort zone and I should embrace uncertainties with courage and never limit my growth.
Despite the initial steep learning curve to familiarize myself with the company and department, the nurturing environment provided by my team facilitated my learning. This internship exposure was also effective in offering me a glimpse of working in a corporate company. Interning in a company that is established and well-structured also provided me with a sense of belonging and it gave me access to various resources that helped me grow professionally in the pharmaceutical industry.
As I move forward in my professional endeavors, I will take with me all that I have learned with the guidance I have received from every precious individual whom I have crossed paths with in GSK.
Interns from Class of ’22 at GSK (left to right): Zavier Low Jun Sheng, Ang Xiao Jun, Ashley Goh Lee Ann and Wang Yiteng
Ang Xiao Jun (second from left) with her supervisor and colleagues at GSK
Fun and Celebrations at GSK
Rock-climbing bonding activity with colleagues at GSK
An Alternative Professional Internship Experience
by Vedant Sandhu (Class of ’22), Nutrition Research Intern, Roquette
I still distinctly remember the excitement I felt on the first day of the internship, but with the excitement, there was also a tinge of uncertainty. “Had I made the right choice?” was a question I asked myself again and again before the start of the internship. However, after the internship, I can tell you with utmost confidence that yes, indeed, I had made the right choice.
I was working as a Nutrition Research Intern at Roquette Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. My task was to quantify the in vitro digestibility of our company’s carbohydrates and starches in order to verify the results generated by another research lab. I worked closely with my supervisor and other members of the research team to generate meaningful results over a period of a few months. Working at Roquette cleared a few grave misconceptions that I had as it showed me the interconnectedness between the world of nutrition and pharmacy. This would be a great eye-opening experience for many pharmaceutical science students. Through literature reviews and interactions with colleagues, I discovered the paramount importance of maintaining a good nutritional intake, as it severely impacts the way drugs and pharmaceutical products react in our body. I think this knowledge on how one aspect of human health impacts another is key in coming up with holistic healthcare solutions in the future, and something I experienced first-hand at Roquette.
Additionally, beyond the day-to-day research and lab work, I made meaningful and long-lasting connections with individuals working in the industry. I strongly believe these personal connections will be important when one wants to enter the industry in their future.
Therefore, if you want to learn how the world of nutrition fits in with the world of pharmacy or just make connections with professionals in the industry, I would strongly suggest joining the internship at Roquette. It truly is one of a kind.
Interns from Class of ’22 at Roquette (front row, left to right): Vedant Sandhu and Gan Ke Ching, with colleagues
Thank you very much to all supervisors at AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Roquette for taking the time to nurture and mentor our ten Pharmaceutical Science students from the inaugural cohort (Class of ’22)! It has truly been a fruitful and enriching learning experience for all!
#PassionPridePurpose
Article compiled by Dr Yau Wai Ping (NUS Pharmacy academic faculty, Class of ‘01) and Ms Jenessa Quek Jia Min (NUS Pharmacy staff)