During the summer, I had the opportunity to participate in a rewarding internship at Kenvue Inc., a pharmaceutical company specializing in consumer healthcare products. I was assigned to the Drug and Safety department, where I collaborated closely with professionals and pharmacists to support their aggregate reporting processes. My primary responsibilities were organizing and cleaning the aggregate reporting database using various data-cleaning tools, updating and managing content on their SharePoint site, and presenting a summary of my internship accomplishments to colleagues at the end of the program. The overarching goal of my project was to improve data management efficiency, facilitating better-informed decisions within the Research and Development team.
A typical day at Kenvue would start with a brief but essential meeting with my direct supervisor, Brian Esterly. During these meetings, we reviewed the previous day's progress, identified any issues that needed addressing, and carefully planned the tasks for the day ahead, such as data-cleaning assignments for specific products or updates to project databases. I utilized software tools such as Excel and other specialized data platforms to ensure data accuracy and consistency. Throughout the day, there were typically one or two additional meetings, involving cross-functional teams, to align ongoing work and communicate recent findings or progress.
By performing hands-on work in a real-world professional setting, I was able to directly apply theoretical and analytical skills previously gained from the Science & Global Change (SGC) Colloquium and other classes I have taken thus far in my academic career. Specifically, the data analysis and critical thinking skills from the SGC Colloquium helped me to quickly adapt to new software tools, accurately interpret data sets, and effectively solve problems when encountering inconsistencies or issues in large datasets. For instance, understanding how to systematically approach and resolve data discrepancies was a direct reflection of analytical skills emphasized in my coursework.
My internship experience definitely increased my personal and professional self-awareness. I discovered that I thrive in structured, yet flexible work environments that encourage collaboration among team members. Also, I learned about conditions under which I am less productive, such as environments with unclear communication or overly rigid rules. The professional setting at Kenvue allowed me to practice and significantly enhance my skills in teamwork, leadership, communication, task management, and organizational efficiency. Prior to this experience, my exposure to professional corporate environments was minimal, so this practicum provided invaluable insights that have shaped my professional goals. If I had the chance to better prepare for this internship, I would have benefited from more experiences directly related to database management or different team dynamics. Going forward, I plan to pursue additional courses in data science, and possibly a minor in Business or Information Systems, all inspired by the skills and experiences gained during this practicum. This internship has undoubtedly become an influential part of my professional development, setting a solid foundation for future career paths.
Collaboration played a significant role in my practicum experience. Our team successfully split tasks according to individual strengths, maintained regular communication to stay aligned, and was able to complete assignments more efficiently than would have been possible individually. Within my team, I naturally found myself taking on organizational and communication responsibilities, roles that felt both familiar and rewarding.
I wholeheartedly recommend this internship opportunity at Kenvue Inc. to future SGC students. The experience provides practical, real-world exposure to the workings of a large pharmaceutical company, allowing students to develop professional skills such as critical thinking, teamwork, and effective communication. It is especially beneficial for anyone interested in careers involving data management, research, corporate strategy, or healthcare.