Discovering My Path: How Two Summer Internship Experiences Became Careers With Purpose

It’s a question as old as time when you’re a student – what is my next move? How will I translate what I am studying into a career that will challenge me, give me purpose and provide longevity?

For Flore Hendrickx and Luke Conor Cahalane, that question held true as they each began a summer internship at Real Chemistry in June 2024. Now that both are full-time employees of the firm, they reflect on discovering their path and the transition to #LifeatRealChem.

For Flore, her first exposure to Real Chemistry was unexpected. While at a party, she met a current employee who told her about the field of Medical Communications. Hearing about the unique blend of scientific expertise and corporate dynamics appealed to her as did the employee’s obvious enthusiasm for the company culture. Flore was particularly drawn to the Account Associate role, which offered her the opportunity to leverage her skills in project management and finance while gaining insight into the biopharmaceutical industry.

Luke, on the other hand, discovered Real Chemistry in a more traditional way – scrolling through LinkedIn. A recent postgraduate of Bristol University who had earned a BSc in biochemistry, Luke was on the hunt for a role that could fulfil his passion for science – without the repetitive pipette rituals of lab work – and his interest in business strategy. After various odd jobs working at auction houses and painting schools and making coffee, he too was intrigued by the world of Medical Communications – and more specifically medical writing.

So, by two different moments of happenstance, Flore and Luke took a chance and applied for an internship at Real Chemistry.

From day one, Flore and Luke experienced a hands-on practical experience, and, perhaps more important for an intern, a culture that was nothing short of supportive. Coworkers were always willing to lend a hand and embodied Real Chemistry’s values of responsibility, teamwork and collaboration. But Flore and Luke found that working at Real Chemistry wasn’t all work and no play. The annual sports day and Thursday evening socials were memorable highlights that fostered camaraderie and a sense of belonging.

As the summer progressed, both honed their skills on their respective teams. Flore created internal communication posts that kept clients informed about the latest medical research, managed initiatives for her team, and honed crucial skills in time management, communication and leadership.

Luke spent his days crafting symposium materials and documentary scripts for clients. He became deeply engaged in the challenging and fascinating work at Real Chemistry, where he applied analytical thinking and embraced a scientific mindset. To Luke, what truly sets Real Chemistry apart is the limitless potential for growth. He found that there is no ceiling on how much someone can achieve here. He quickly took on accountability for more complex projects and found that the pace at which someone chooses to take on new responsibilities is entirely up to them. That flexibility empowers employees to chart their own path, which he truly appreciated.

At the end of the summer, both Luke and Flore were delighted to accept full-time roles with Real Chemistry, seamlessly transitioning to their next chapter, where they are eager to continue learning, growing and contributing to a company that has given them confidence in their capabilities.

Looking back to where they started over a year ago, their advice to incoming interns or young people considering a career in Medical Communications is to dive in with an open mind, embrace the fast-paced nature of the biopharma industry, and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. You might find yourself growing more than ever and discovering skills you didn’t know you had. The rewards of such an approach are immeasurable – both professionally and personally.