Many biomedical sciences students opt to experience an internship within the biotech, non-profit, or governmental/health industries. This type of experience is extremely beneficial for anyone. However, for those going directly into employment upon graduation or careers in healthcare administration, public health or biomedical research, having an internship experience on your resume can be crucial.

Here are some tips the Biomedical Sciences department has created to help students find such opportunities:

Where to search for Internships?

Students should be proactive. They should pursue the search for internships either on their own or when an internship is advertised by the department.

Resources for internships:

• Biomedical Sciences Internship Program (please visit this site for latest information, applications and offerings)
• Handshake (login using your full Marquette email address and password and gain access to recruiting companies and agencies, looking to place Marquette students and graduates), part of MU Career Center.
• The Marquette Career Network site will help facilitate career-related conversations between you and the Marquette Network. This platform will allow you to seek knowledge and advice, explore career fields in which you are interested, and build your professional network with alumni worldwide. 
  • Professional Development Fund is available for undergraduate students. Students can apply to cover career-related expenses. To apply, you will first need to meet with career center staff. Use Handshake or contact their office to schedule an appointment for "Getting Started with Career Center" with any career counselor, adding PD fund under "Help Requested." Just so you know, you will receive the application after you meet to discuss your goals for using the funds.  
• Bioethics internships often offered by the Medical College of Wisconsin and it is advertised at the college level.
• The Les Aspin Center has internship opportunities for internships here in Milwaukee and D.C. The Les Aspin Center provides unique, high-impact learning experiences to students in any major. They offer specialized internship opportunities and academic courses in Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee throughout the academic year. You could spend your semester or summer working for a member of Congress, a nonprofit organization, a private firm, the FDA, or even the White House — all through the Les Aspin Center for Government and the Kleczka Internship Program, and you can earn BISC Internship credits.  To learn more, check the website. Interested students can email Dr. Makky (khadijah.makky@marquette.edu) for further questions or directions. 
• Student’s personal connections or contacts to establish internship

Types of Internships

Internships can be paid or for credit. Very rarely will a company or organization allow a student to simply volunteer. It becomes an issue of liability. Summer internships can be costly if they are for credit (summer tuition), but the reward of advancing in their desired field faster may outweigh the negative of cost.

• Paid Internships—these internships are no different than any other type of student employment. Interns are contracted to work so many hours a week during a specified time period and will be paid. You will need to identify and apply for these internships and internship programs on your own. The biomedical sciences department has no role or authority in this type of internship but your advisor will be able to give you some guidance.
• For Credit Internships—Students may also earn credit for an internship as a BISC course. You will need to find an organization or company willing to work with Marquette to process the credits for your internship. Students will also need to get departmental approval for any internship that is not already approved by the BISC Internship Program. Please speak with your advisor as to how to begin the process.BISC 4986 Information:
  • You will need to submit a job description, supervisor information, and extensive outline of responsibilities and semester outcomes inorder to gain approval for course registration of BISC 4986.
  • Completion of the course will require good review from supervisor and a presentation at the end of the semester
  • The first 3 credits earned can go towards BISC electives and completing the BISC major
  • A second internship will count as a general elective and help their total undergraduate credit count.

    BISC 3987 and BISC 4987 Information:

  • The BISC 3987 (0cr.) and BISC 4987 (3cr.) combo is very similar to the BISC 4986 offering. However, it is typically used over the summer (BISC 3987) and fall (BISC 4987) semester and breaks up the working and presentation experiences. It also allows for the student to work full-time in their summer internship. The presentation and reflection paper will be completed in the fall semester to be awarded the 3 credits of BISC 4987.