This summer, I participated in a Research and Development Internship with Elanco Animal Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Through this program, I did discovery and development research for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
My assumptions about the world changed through this program, as I always assumed that having a doctorate degree was optional for those who wanted to lead high-level biomedical research. This, however, is not the case, and this summer opened my eyes to the fact that I absolutely want to pursue graduate school. I also realized how important things outside of research are to me, most notably the place where I live. This realization will direct where I apply to graduate schools and where I choose to end up after my education is complete.
I finished my summer at Elanco with a 25-minute research presentation to the company at large with over 150 attendees, and this experience was very impactful for me because I ended up really enjoying the process and presentation. Having a deep understanding of the research I was doing (and more importantly why I was doing it) allowed me to create a presentation I was genuinely proud of, and I realized that that is a feeling I want to chase in graduate school. Elanco’s community of mentorship and collaboration was so welcoming and made the research process streamlined.
Another important interaction for me this summer came during an intern meeting with Elanco’s EVP of Research and Development, who is the top executive in R&D at the company. She gave great insight into working with large corporations, how to advocate for yourself and your research, and how to bring new ideas to fruition in large group settings. This interaction solidified my desire to lead biomedical research in the future.
The most important relationship that I made this summer at Elanco, however, was with my mentor, who was a DVM-PhD. He practiced as a veterinarian for many years before pursuing a PhD in virology, making him one of the most educated people at Elanco’s headquarters. After his doctorate degrees, he conducted an extensive postdoctoral fellowship with one of the world’s top biomedical laboratories. His educational experience and advice were so valuable to me, as he encouraged me to learn as much as possible while I am young and to build up a solid foundational understanding of biochemistry and molecular biology before moving forward in research or practice. His hard work and work ethic are what I will remember most about him, and his influence on my career path has been very important.
The changes I saw in myself this summer are nothing short of pivotal for my career path and education. I held one-on-one meetings with over thirty employees at Elanco who held doctorate degrees, and I vetted them with questions about their highest ambitions, regrets, tips, and what no one else would tell me before entering graduate school. I feel more prepared than ever to enter into the next phase of my life, and I am so grateful to have had such an important experience so early in this journey!