Students and Recent Grads

Intern Insights

Brady Stevens

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
B.S. Biomedical Engineering
Intern

I came to Genentech because of all the exciting stories I kept hearing. When people learned that I actually had an offer extended they went crazy! At work, I was a part of a process R&D group that explored new technologies for automation in the bioprocess labs. Specifically, our task was to launch a pilot of cutting edge software that held potential for producing drugs more efficiently, thus, treating more patients, faster. Genentech motivated me, not only through a great compensation package, but with a purpose. All around campus there are faces of patients whose lives have been improved or extended by the drugs that we all work to produce. If you want to do well and earn a job at Genentech you will need to align your culture. Some of the brightest minds in the world are found at Genentech and this is a result of a strong ability to focus on the task at hand and work hard every day. When you get off work, switch gears and focus on your family, friends and loved ones. Genentech will inspire you to be the best inside and outside of work, and you will find a general sense of high self esteem, bold confidence and real happiness in the people you work with. I wish the best of luck to all Genentech applicants, and remember that hard work with focus equals luck.

 

Jessica Bell

Harvard Business School
MBA Candidate
Intern

Having spent most of my career working with physicians and patients, I wasn't sure if biotech was the right place for me. It was important for me to work for a company that specifically focused on the patient because I am passionate about patient care and the healthcare industry. I quickly saw this theme come through in every interaction and interview I had at Genentech. Working on a Brand Team under the Medical Marketing Lead was absolutely wonderful because I was fully integrated into the team. I was able to attend team off-sites, sales meetings and contribute to meaningful work outside of my intern projects. I also had the opportunity to lead an initiative that enabled me to work on something strategic as well as tactical. Overall, I learned how important it is to keep building your knowledge base and listening to those around you. There is a wealth of knowledge to be gleaned from the people at Genentech because everyone has unique experiences and lessons to contribute to what you are working on. If you're interested in working at Genentech, my best advice is to be true to yourself, your goals and passions. Clearly communicate your "why's" — i.e. why you and why Genentech.

 

Kevin Labadie

University of California, Santa Barbara
B.S. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Intern

Dear interested students,

Let me preface this post with one phrase that will essentially encapsulate the following message: Genentech is an absolutely amazing place to work.

Now I will give you a more detailed explanation of who I am and why I chose such positive words to describe Genentech.

My name is Kevin Labadie and I just finished my third year at the University of California, Santa Barbara pursuing a Bachelor's of Science in biochemistry/molecular biology. This past summer I worked as a Genentech Research and Early Development (gRED) intern performing early stage research focused on new therapeutics for treatment of various diseases (really cool and cutting edge stuff). If you are majoring in biology, I am sure you have been introduced to some sort of laboratory experience. Imagine your experience in that lab. Now, picture Genentech research like that lab on steroids; or at least that's how I perceived it. With access to top-of-the-line equipment and some of the brightest scientific minds in the world, the caliber of research performed at Genentech is nothing short of remarkable. What I was most impressed with was the research I was able to do as an intern. I was given the privilege of working right alongside those bright scientific minds and assisting them with their life's work. From in vitro to in vivo assays, I learned and was introduced to more than I ever imagined. On top of the cutting edge research you get to explore, the work environment is one of a kind. Everyone is friendly, casually intense, intelligent and willing to help. People are just generally happy here; I find it hard not to be. With subsidized gourmet cafeterias, "Ho Ho" happy hours biweekly (with kegs of Sierra Nevada no less), a beautiful campus accompanied by a breathtaking view of the San Francisco bay, all on top of a priceless feeling of purpose and reward knowing your work is improving people's lives. In short, Genentech is an incredible place to work.