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Shea
Student
Madison, Connecticut
1
Question
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What internships should I look for if I want to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, but am on the Pre-med track for surgery?
I am currently a freshman in college looking for summer internships in the CT area but am confused as to what I should actually be looking for.
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Michelle M.
Actress
3276
Answers
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Shea !
The reason that you may have some confusion about this is because Internships are for students in their Junior and Senior year of college or have already graduated. Students need to have a basic knowledge of the work as well as some courses they've already taken. Many internships also have GPA requirements and evidence of dedication to your subject that you're studying. Many internships also require applicants to have extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or volunteer work.
Visit your on campus Academic Advisory office, your Career Center or one of your professors and ask them what the requirements are for internships at your college. Ask if you would be placed in one in your Junior and Senior year and ask what the commitment length is, and if it's full or part time. This will better inform you of what internships are.
Madison, Connecticut, does not have volunteer work specific to biochemistry but you can explore opportunities through local organizations, libraries, or community centers that support education and science outreach.
You may want to visit your local Madison Connecticut Health Department. They have education programs for which you can volunteer. Since you ultimately plan to be a medical doctor, you may want to do volunteer work in a hospital or a nursing home. You wouldn't be able to work on patients, but you can get an idea of how hospitals and nursing homes are. Visit their Human Resource Department and ask about volunteer positions.
How about volunteering in science outreach programs, such as assisting high school teachers with chemistry classes or running classroom demonstrations which can also be highly beneficial, especially for developing communication and presentation skills.
Have you considered obtaining a Work Study job to work in your Major Department or on campus Lab ? Visit your financial aid office soon to ask about Work Study. You obtain Work Study by applying for Federal Student Financial Aid. Your financial aid officer will provide you with details about Work Study.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
The reason that you may have some confusion about this is because Internships are for students in their Junior and Senior year of college or have already graduated. Students need to have a basic knowledge of the work as well as some courses they've already taken. Many internships also have GPA requirements and evidence of dedication to your subject that you're studying. Many internships also require applicants to have extracurricular activities, leadership roles, or volunteer work.
Visit your on campus Academic Advisory office, your Career Center or one of your professors and ask them what the requirements are for internships at your college. Ask if you would be placed in one in your Junior and Senior year and ask what the commitment length is, and if it's full or part time. This will better inform you of what internships are.
Madison, Connecticut, does not have volunteer work specific to biochemistry but you can explore opportunities through local organizations, libraries, or community centers that support education and science outreach.
You may want to visit your local Madison Connecticut Health Department. They have education programs for which you can volunteer. Since you ultimately plan to be a medical doctor, you may want to do volunteer work in a hospital or a nursing home. You wouldn't be able to work on patients, but you can get an idea of how hospitals and nursing homes are. Visit their Human Resource Department and ask about volunteer positions.
How about volunteering in science outreach programs, such as assisting high school teachers with chemistry classes or running classroom demonstrations which can also be highly beneficial, especially for developing communication and presentation skills.
Have you considered obtaining a Work Study job to work in your Major Department or on campus Lab ? Visit your financial aid office soon to ask about Work Study. You obtain Work Study by applying for Federal Student Financial Aid. Your financial aid officer will provide you with details about Work Study.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Yoav Traeger
Bid Manager
75
Answers
Kiryat Ono, Tel Aviv District
Updated
Yoav’s Answer
That is a completely normal feeling to have as a freshman, and the fact that you are already thinking about internships shows incredible initiative, which is a fantastic trait for a future surgeon! The key is to realize that your first summer is primarily about exploring and accumulating core experience, not necessarily securing a complex surgical internship, so you should focus on two major areas: first, basic science research in a Biochemistry or Molecular Biology lab at your university or a nearby institution like Yale, UConn Health, or The Jackson Laboratory, as this directly supports your major and demonstrates a deep understanding of the scientific process crucial for medical school applications; and second, clinical exposure through non-clinical volunteering in a hospital or clinic setting (like a hospital emergency room or patient transport) to get comfortable in a medical environment, or dedicated shadowing opportunities with surgeons or physicians in the CT area, which directly addresses your surgical interest. By pursuing both solid research (reflecting your BMB major) and meaningful clinical exposure (reflecting your pre-med goal), you will build a strong, well-rounded application foundation without the pressure of finding an advanced internship designed for upperclassmen, so be persistent in reaching out to professors and hospital volunteer departments, and know that you are already on the right path. Good luck with your search and your studies!