Kirsty Tinto joined BioAscent as a marketing intern in June 2019 through the Scot Grad Life Sciences Internship Programme. Here, she offers an insight into her marketing internship and what she has learnt in the last few months working at a busy integrated drug discovery CRO. 

After completing the first year of the BSc Honours Pharmacology degree at the University of Strathclyde, I was intrigued to find out how the skills and knowledge which I had developed could be applied to a workplace.  

Following a career talk about the Scot Grad Life Sciences programme, I applied for a marketing internship for the summer with BioAscent (based just outside Glasgow in Newhouse) after finding that my strengths, abilities and interests matched closely to the job description.  

Since securing the position, I have had the opportunity to work within an integrated drug discovery CRO and gained more knowledge of compound management, compound sales, chemistry and biology as well as gaining experience of marketing. 

The Scot Grad Life Sciences Internship Programme is a phenomenal opportunity to gain industry work experience. All first, second and third year students who study a life sciences related degree at a Scottish university can apply for an internship through this programme.  

The 13-week internship allowed me to complete my own tasks, as well as having levels of responsibility and a true insight into marketing for a drug discovery services company. Alongside completing marketing tasks, I had the opportunity to work within a dedicated, knowledgeable and inclusive team who made me feel valued. 

Working at BioAscent has taught me that an internship involves more than you might think - it’s not making teas and coffees and just following people around. It is a truly hands-on experience with areas of responsibility, tasks and meetings to organise and carry out as well as an opportunity to link your academic knowledge to real life situations.  

During my experience at BioAscent I strengthened my teamworking, organisational and communication skills, and gained experience in many areas including: 

• Cleansing and enriching contact data on the Salesforce database 

• Drafting the user guidelines for Salesforce  

• Supporting and overseeing the visits of Graham Simpson MSP and Ivan McKee MSP

• Improving the SEO on the BioAscent and Compound Cloud websites by researching keywords and proposing meta descriptions

• Cleansing the mailing list

• Learning about the General Data Protection Regulations and ensuring BioAscent’s data standards comply

• Investigating ways in which we could use Google AdWords to benefit the BioAscent website which included submitting a proposal to drive inbound web enquiries 

• Building BioAscent’s social media presence by identifying target audiences to follow 

• Working to find new potential contacts/clients for the BioAscent team 

At BioAscent, I have gained invaluable experience with a team that has given me a supportive environment in which to flourish as a young scientist.

I have also attended social events with the BioAscent team, allowing me to broaden my contact base.  

With BioAscent being based at BioCity, I have also had the opportunity to learn about other companies which are based there which has given me an insight into other businesses within the drug discovery sector.  

I feel that this experience has not only made me more focused and driven but it has also highlighted to me that I am certain I would like to work within a drug discovery company in the future when I graduate. 

BioAscent works closely with the leading Scottish universities to promote opportunities for young graduates. This is the second year BioAscent has welcomed a marketing intern through the Scot Grad Life Sciences Internship Programme.