What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
Biotechnology in many ways forms a strong bridge between fundamental laboratory research and medicine, two fields in which I have a strong interest. It's incredible to see products on the brink of helping people and alleviating their illnesses.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Genentech holds a strong reputation as the top biotechnology company in the world. It is a pioneer in both the science and business that underlie its mission. I hoped that an internship at Genentech would expose me to this as well as provide me with insight into industrial research.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
In the laboratory environment in which I am working, all the individuals I have interacted with have been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful. Genentech seems to foster a casual and immensely productive work environment that has proven to be successful over the last 30 years.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
The people who I have met and who work with me have easily been the highlight of my experience to date. It's a unique feeling to look forward to a workday simply because of the individuals with which you will interact.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
Having most recently worked in Public Health, I wanted to pursue a career that had a real effect on people's lives. While pursuing an internship, I knew I wanted to work in a dynamic and fast paced industry where my work would extend beyond the office itself.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
The culture and people attracted me most to Genentech. While visiting the company on a West Coast career trek, I found a unique group of people who were passionate about their work and the company. I wanted to find a company where I would gain experience and responsibility, and I wanted to be motivated by those around me. Genentech has allowed me to do all of these things.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
The Genentech culture, while often characterized as causally intense, I believe is better described as fun. I am the type of person who embraces constant learning and challenge, and I have found both here at Genentech. There is a mutual respect for ideas, even at the entry level. Everyone has the same goal to create the best end product for the patient and as such, new ideas are embraced regardless of position or seniority.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
The people at Genentech have been the highlight of my experience thus far. I truly believe this company is unique in that it combines brain power with modesty and intellectual curiosity. Even in my short 11 weeks, I have learned a tremendous amount from my coworkers and had fun along the way. Work is such a large part of life,; I want to enjoy the people I work with on both a professional and personal level.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
I am a MD and practiced for three years before coming to business school. I was interested in an industry where science makes up the core of the business, and biotech appeared as the first choice. The biotech industry is at the forefront of science with a focus on unmet medical needs and some of the most amazing discoveries of recent times. This industry truly helped taking medical science to next level.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Genentech is renowned for its "first in class and best in class drugs" and its entrepreneurial spirit. Its well-structured MBA programs give interns an opportunity to experience the company's unique culture and add value through meaningful business projects. I was very impressed in my interview process with the company's commitment to bringing in the best talent.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
I was tasked with recommending strategies to maximize the value of the brand in light of competitive threats. My brand team provided me opportunities to attend national cross-functional meetings and interact with subject matter experts to have better understanding of decision-making at Genentech. It also helped me in developing relationships and provided me with invaluable insights to improve the impact of my project.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
After experiencing some brand team meetings, I have a better appreciation of Genentech's casually intense work environment. Everyone around the table is encouraged to speak up his/her mind, and the best ideas are picked. The passion people have for their work is infectious. Your colleagues not only challenge you to shape your perspective but also help you to succeed.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
A short answer would be "the innovation of the industry." Biotech is a novel and targeted approach to treating disease. I've always had an interest in healthcare, and I was attracted to the field because of biotech's position at the forefront of creating innovative treatments.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
I considered several companies for my summer internship, but Genentech was the only place where the people I met with seemed genuinely interested in my ideas, my thoughts, and what unique insights I could bring to the organization. Other places I interviewed with clearly wanted me to have memorized and repeated a few scripted paragraphs from the their company's website, but Genentech truly seemed interested in hearing my ideas and opinions.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
Genentech is often described as being a place of "casual intensity," and while that's certainly true, I usually described the people I met over my summer as, "the most laid-back type A people you've ever met." Genentechers are friendly, outgoing, fun and entertaining to hang out with, but they are also passionately dedicated to what they do. It was always interesting to me to have people go from making jokes about the weather to asking me incredibly pointed and insightful questions about my project within a five minute time span. And then to go right back to making jokes as soon as the meeting or project update was over.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
One of the highlights of my internship was the day my manager and I realized that we could effectively communicate one of the most important aspects of my project by drawing an analogy to buying bottles of wine for a party. Not only was the analogy entertaining, it was extremely effective in helping to simplify a very complicated distribution issue!

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
It began shortly after I arrived at MIT as a freshman. I was initially interested in medicine and the biology behind that, yet many of my fellow classmates were talking about how biotech is the future. This sparked my interest in biotechnology, and I chose to major in Bioengineering (with a minor in Management).

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
One of my good friends worked as an intern at Genentech last year. She would always rave to me about how Genentech is such a great company where you can learn a lot and is fun to work for. Furthermore, there are two biotech companies that all MIT biology or bioengineering students know of: the Boston-based Genzyme and the world-famous Genentech. A mixture of the aura of the company itself in addition to my friends raving reviews led me to an internship at Genentech.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
I think the use of biotechnology as a means to help create pharmaceuticals to save and better lives was what really caught my attention, because it is such a simple, elegant, yet powerful technology that has changed our world today.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
I don't think I am able to pinpoint one exact thing, because there are many reasons... But one thing that really stood out to me that made me want to only work at Genentech was Genentech's strong community presence. To me, being involved with the community shows that the company has a genuine invested interest in people and not just business.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
Compared to the other places I have worked at, I feel a much stronger sense of collaboration and team work here at Genentech. We have meetings with different departments and groups every week, and I even get to see where the work that I do goes after I'm done with it. It's exciting! It is also quite an infectious environment — everyone works whole-heartedly and is very dedicated to their work. The better the work, the faster we see a viable drug come onto the market.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
My best highlight here is quite nerdy. It was the moment I got to see my cells light up under the fluorescence microscope! It was very cool and uplifting, because I also got the results that I wanted. Outside the lab, I think meeting the other interns and going to ho-hos has also been really great.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
The life-saving effects of the medicines and the dynamic nature of manufacturing and distributing them.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
My goal was to intern in operations for a leading global manufacturing company. Genentech is that, with the added benefit of its well-reputed culture and workforce.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
I have been very impressed by the conviction, intelligence and work ethic of pretty much every individual I have worked with. I also feel the "Patients, Science, People" mentality very positively.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
I would say the highlight so far is the work itself. I have already learned an incredible amount about biotech and manufacturing, and have been able to contribute substantively to the work of the GT Strategic Planning Office.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
In my high school Biology AP class, I had the opportunity to work in the lab for the first time. I was hooked! I think the breadth of knowledge to be discovered is incredible, and I want to be a part of that exploration.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Having grown up in the Bay Area, I have constantly heard about Genentech as a leader in the biopharmaceutical field, and I thought that this would be a great place to experience the cutting-edge development of new patient treatments.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
The people here at Genentech are fantastic. They seem to genuinely enjoy working here, but beyond that, they are passionate about their work. The atmosphere here is collaborative and supportive. The connections that I have built with my fellow interns and coworkers will be some of my fondest memories of this experience.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
I am really enjoying the project I am working on. I feel like I am doing my own small part to help develop innovative and exciting opportunities in the future.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
I have always had a passion for science and helping others. Biotechnology is a great way to bridge my interests of research and the development of medicines to save lives.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Genentech's company values and dedication to meeting critical unmet medical needs drew me to apply for an internship. Also, having spent my entire life on the east coast, getting a chance to experience life in a new environment was pretty enticing.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
I love the company's culture; people are friendly and as an intern I was able to meet with personnel in all facets of the company up to Senior VP's. The dress attire is relaxed which allows you to work comfortably in a lab or a cubicle.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
The highlight of my internship experience has been working in an area that is completely unrelated to my field. Most chemical engineers work in manufacturing or research & development sectors of industry. However, this summer I have had the opportunity to use a different set of skills working in corporate engineering.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
I've always been interested in Biology and Medicine. Biotechnology allows us to make a greater impact on healthcare via novel therapeutics and unconventional treatments.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
This is my third internship at Genentech, and every time I start working, I am inspired to make a difference with the work I do. Here, I can see my efforts materializing into something useful almost instantly.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
Genentech has always been a place of ease and comfort. Casually intense is the perfect description of the Genen-culture. It has all the right elements to motivate, support and sustain quality research.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
At the end of every internship, I get to look back and see how much I've accomplished. I would have to say, without a doubt, that that is moment that has always been the highlight of my experience.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
My work in full-scale protein manufacturing after completing my undergraduate degree got me interested in the science and theory that supports protein biochemistry. Working in the biotech field allows me to gain a fundamental understanding of protein chemistry while applying my more practical engineering skills.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Aside from Genentech's reputation for being at the forefront of biotech innovation, what attracted me to Genentech was the desire I saw in employees to make the best drugs possible. Additionally, during my interviews I was able to observe the "casual intensity" as well as an air of critical respect between employees, and this assured me that I would fit in well.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
My department has been very welcoming and immediately started treating me like a regular employee when I started internship. I like having responsibility and being held accountable for my project and deliverables. The intern/co-op coordinators did a really good job of planning Lunch and Learns for us to get a feel for other areas of the company as well as meet other interns.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
I have really appreciated the challenging work my manager has given me. Even though I haven't had much experience with proteins, he gave me a very involved project and helped me develop the skills I need to be successful this summer. I have also enjoyed being able to meet all the other interns and establish a group of friends in a place where I came in knowing nobody.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
My inspiration comes from my personal life. My dad used to take insulin when I was very young. During those days I was not sure why he needed to take insulin on a daily basis in order for him to able to function. I was always curious to know more about the drug. My interest in understanding these drugs along with the passion of making a positive difference in the lives of people like my dad, made me to choose this field. Certainly, I now understand the mechanics behind diabetes and its cure.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
There are multiple reasons why I chose to do my internship at Genentech. People with whom I interacted outside this company always talk about the great culture and the casual environment that is unique to this company. I wanted to see for myself and experience it. Also, I wanted to understand the difference between a research-driven academia and a profit-driven industry. I find Genentech to be one of the most successful companies perfectly translating basic research into commercial success.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
So far, my experience at Genentech has been wonderful. Now I know about the great culture that they practice here and understand why Genentech's people are respected so highly.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
I will say people, people and people. So far, I have been working with some great people who are not just talented, but also work with dedication and passion. Genentech gives complete resources for everyone to meet and interact with others. I find people here are very helpful and friendly. I enjoy attending Ho-Hos and meeting new faces.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
Biotechnology leads to the discovery of treatments and cures that prolong the lives of patients that have lost hope. I want to be part of an industry that is inspired by innovation and discoveries that lead to second chances for families and individuals to live better lives.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Genentech is looked to as the gold standard in biotechnology because it balances the quest for meeting the unmet needs of patients with a work environment that is both challenging and rewarding. I wanted to learn more about the innovative portfolio and recognize the different business opportunities around the company.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
Genentech simply inspires you to be better. It is an environment where everyone is constantly challenging one another to take risks that will be rewarded with discovery and innovation for the patient. The focus on individual stories of patient recoveries continually inspires employees to push forward over all obstacles in research, manufacturing and development.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
The opportunity to work in Life Cycle Management and recognize the intense strategic approach Genentech utilizes to prioritize the development of over 100 molecules. The different factors affecting launches five years from now are planned out well in advance to bring the best products to the patients as soon as possible. The LCM is an example of how Genentech's decision making is always focused primarily on the patient's needs first, rather than the revenue that drives many of its competitors.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
Biotechnology sits at the front lines of research and engineering advancements in our collective scientific understanding. As a people-oriented individual who enjoys a smile, it grants me an opportunity to positively impact many people. Every day, I can help put together pieces of a puzzle that, when completed, will allow patients to smile for years to come.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Genentech has always been a leading and well-respected company that attracts the brightest scientists. This provided me with excitement and hopes that I may learn from the best to become a better scientist.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
One word: amazing. Never had I imagined a scientific environment that would strive for excellence while encouraging you to be yourself and work together as a team. Everyone comes from diverse backgrounds and never hesitates to share their experiences to help in my development. There hasn't been a day when I haven't shared laughter or enjoyed the company of my peers and neighboring lab mates. This all takes place as I wear my lab coat bearing a (big) logo of my favorite NFL team.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
Within our small, intimate group, I was given ownership of the microscopy aspects of our study. Being given such huge responsibilities, I found myself rising to the challenge by making my own calculated decisions on important matters. Even better than the learning process is that I'm having fun while doing these experiments.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
Aside from my general interest in Biological sciences, the process of drug development really intrigued me. This specific curiosity pushed me to finally venture into the realm of Genentech biotechnology. The arduous process of bringing a drug to the market, requiring both scientific and business prowess, is what really inspired me to pursue this field.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
Genentech's well-known reputation as a leader in the Biotech industry is what initially sparked my interest. This reputation, along with a unique culture defined by friendly, intelligent, hard-working people really motivated me to seek an internship here.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
My experience here as both an intern and a full-time employee has been nothing but positive. People here have been encouraging and friendly, and they are very willing to help. I feel that this culture produces an atmosphere that is very conducive to both learning and teaching. In addition to the hard-work, employees also have fun. Ho-hos on Fridays are a prime example of the balance achieved here at Genentech, embodying the "work hard, play hard" mentality.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
The constant flow of knowledge here at Genentech provides a spark to any day. There is always something new to learn as an intern, and as long as one seizes the laid out opportunities, it's nearly impossible to be disappointed. Aside from this general highlight as an intern, I loved the executive lunches that Genentech provided. These lunches would give us a great opportunity to not only learn about the daily work of an Executive Committee member, but also would put into perspective how dynamic and intricate the structure of Genentech is.

What inspired your interest in biotechnology?
I have always been interested in biotechnology and the drug development process. I see the field of biotechnology as a field that has the potential to have a great impact on the lives of patients. It is a challenging field, but that's what makes it exciting.

What attracted you to an internship at Genentech?
I have heard from many that Genentech is a great company to work for. The people here are enthusiastic and excited to come to work every day knowing that they are working towards improving the lives of patients.

Share your experience on the company culture at Genentech.
The culture here is definitely unique and something you have to experience first-hand. People here truly have the patients in mind and work hard to ensure that they do everything possible to develop the best products for patients.

So far, what has been the highlight of your internship experience?
The highlight of my internship has been being surrounded by so many amazing people. The people here are very inviting and very good at what they do. I feel grateful to be able to have this experience.