I loved the atmosphere of Genentech! you never felt like you were moving amongst some of the brightest and most highly qualified minds in the industry. I also loved how my work was "mission critical", and I was making meaningful contributions to their research; My work comprised of conducting crucial wet lab techniques. I was trained by Phd's who taught me to develop insight into the experiment and understand the overall implications of what I was doing in the lab.
What I wish was different
I wish I had been entrusted to only one project during the summer. I was initially given two projects and because of that, I feel I could not get as in depth of an insight to the projects as I would have liked.
Advice
Know that saying no is ok! at least within Genentech. This was communicated to me by two of my managers, and I feel they are right. Had I been subjected to just one project, I could have achieved so much more. Instead of just validating assays, I could have gotten a chance to run actual patient samples. This would have made the overall experience so much more gratifying! Nonetheless, I had a spectacular time learn and expanding my horizons a Genentech.
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Emergency response specialist
May 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Excellent training and many opportunities for growth. Company also offers many summer internships in different departments.
What I wish was different
Intake takes a while to complete, as well as training so you need to start the process earlier than just summer.
Advice
Just apply!
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Software Engineering Intern
May 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Company culture and work-life balance
What I wish was different
Have a mentor
Advice
Always ask questions and learn how to utilize Google
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Development Science Intern
June - August 2019 • San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Ability to talk with anyone about their career trajectory
What I wish was different
I wish I was working with other interns on the same project
Advice
Work for a company even if you want to do graduate school so that you can understand the corporate world
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Quality Engineering and Validation Intern
June - September 2017 • Vacaville, CA
What I liked
The people and the atmosphere of the company were the most wonderful part of the experience. Everyone was so welcoming and positive. If you needed anything, there would always be a co-worker to turn to for help. The other interns were also great to interact with and I got to know so many new people from schools all over the country.
What I wish was different
If I had applied to more internships at Genentech, I could have chosen one that may have been more chemistry-based. I didn't know that I could apply to multiple internships within the company.
Advice
Be positive and try to help out wherever you can. The interns there are given so many resources and opportunities; take every one with gratitude and strive to be valuable by doing your job as effectively as possible.
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Reliability Engineering Intern
April - September 2018 • Hillsboro, OR
What I liked
I enjoyed my co-workers and the learning culture the company embraces.
What I wish was different
I wish the project I worked on for a majority of my internship was more applicable to my major (Chemical Engineering).
Advice
Do not be afraid to ask questions, you need to be able to ask questions well to be able to survive in the working world.
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Pharma Technical Operations Intern
June - August 2020 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Loved the intern community, felt valued by my manager and team.
What I wish was different
The online aspect made it difficult to communicate, I wish there had been more flow to this
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask questions
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Pharmaceutical Technical Development Intern
May - August 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Loved the company culture
What I wish was different
Wish there were more opportunities for return positions
Advice
Work hard and network hard - all the other interns are amazing people with amazing experiences
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Case Manager/Reimbursement Specialist
September 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
flexibility, cafeteria, wages
What I wish was different
better communication
Advice
do not do contracts because they are not stable
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Site Compliance Intern
June - September 2017 • Vacaville, CA
What I liked
I had opportunities almost daily to learn about other departments at the site while working with multiple groups to complete my own projects.
What I wish was different
I wish the internship was longer!
Advice
Take initiative to learn as much as you can. Contact people for informational interviews, and try to get tours of areas you have not seen before, if possible.
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Business Analyst Intern
June - August 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
I loved learning about the different aspects of the drug pipeline at the world's largest pharmaceutical company. I am currently going into pharmaceutical management consulting, so this job really helped me find my passion for business strategy within the biotech space.
What I wish was different
I wish I had gotten more flexibility with projects and more access to leadership within my team. At such a large company, it can difficult to navigate a professional network so some more one-on-one mentorship would have been helpful.
Advice
Concentrate on networking if you intern at a large company. I spent too long trying to understand technical aspects of my job instead of asking the right people how to do so. Definitely don't wait until the last month to make connections!
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Project Coordinator
August 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
I liked being involved with people in different departments.
What I wish was different
If I could be a project manager.
Advice
Work to your fullest.
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Reimbursement Specialist
June 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
They are large company that believes in their employees unique abilities, expereince and knowledge to apply and help solve issues with acess to affordable and effective mediciation.
What I wish was different
It could be a full time position, as I’m currently contracted with the company. However the experience still brings many opportunities
Advice
Be open to new experiences and take advantage of the many resources you have available. Whether it is the career center or using LinkedIn. Try your best to apply what you learn as you learn; networking is a skill that just takes practice too!
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Case Manager
January 2018 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Interacting with patients
What I wish was different
More challenging
Advice
Find what you love to do and keep doing it.
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Process Engineer
June - September 2019 • Vacaville, CA
What I liked
The means to build connections.
What I wish was different
The extent of the role. I wish I had more time to learn other things.
Advice
Make the most and take on more than one project.
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Facilities IT Intern
June - September 2019 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Amazing benefits, beautiful campus, a wide variety of food options, friendly staff, flexible hours, accommodating facilities
What I wish was different
I wish I had a more structured plan of what my tasks were throughout the summer.
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask to shadow someone or ask to explore another role for a day.
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Architectural Intern
May - August 2023 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
I love the flexibility of management. They wanted interns to utilize as much benefits as possible and network.
What I wish was different
I wish I had stricter deadlines.
Advice
Connect with as many people as possible.
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Manager Associate
June - July 2019 • San Francisco, CA
What I liked
The environment
What I wish was different
The length of my internship
Advice
Make connections with people
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Mechanical Engineering Intern
June - December 2020 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Genentech has an entire program dedicated intern professional growth and transition into the company.
What I wish was different
I wish I was working in person, but due to the pandemic my entire time was remote.
Advice
Meet as many people as possible as everyone has valuable resources and connections to offer.
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Digital Pathology Intern
May - August 2021 • South San Francisco, CA
What I liked
Really supportive and friendly, awesome company culture, great pay, impactful work
What I wish was different
Advice
Genentech is an awesome place to go if you're interested in biotech especially R&D side, and make sure to take initiative and ask for things to do. It'll be an awesome experience working there:)
