My Experience as an Intern at Wisynco and UWI Biotech Centre (and tips on getting an internship)

In my 2nd summer of undergrad....thats the summer before I entered 3rd year, I was about to do TWO internships: July at the Biotechnology Centre (now called Caribbean Centre for Research in Bioscience) and August at Wisynco Ltd - Health and Safety and Quality Department.

These experiences as an intern at Wisynco and the UWI Biotechnology Centre have been eye-opening, and I’m here to share some tips that helped me secure these opportunities, what were my tasks and some lessons I learned along the way.

1. Tips on Securing an Internship in Jamaica

   1. Start Early and Be Proactive

   2. Go the Extra Mile: Do the Optional Things

   3. Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed, Tell Everybody

   4. Don't Limit Yourself, Apply Globally

2. Why Internships Matter

3. Wisynco Ltd: A Deep Dive into Health and Safety

4. UWI Biotechnology Centre: From DNA Extractions to Insecticide Resistance

Tips on Securing an Internship in Jamaica

Start Early and Be Proactive

A lesson I learnt from my journey with scholarship applications is to ALWAYS START EARLY. Even if it's creating a list of companies that you are interested in applying to. One hard lesson I learnt from my first summer in undergraduate is that summer is a great time to pursue internships BUT summer is not when you apply.

For companies that advertise or have open internship opportunities, they are open from maybe May or earlier. My internship searching journey began months before I stepped foot into either of these workplaces.

Starting early was key. The earlier you start looking for internships, the earlier you start reaching out, the more options you’ll have, and the less stressed you’ll be. Trust me, you don't want to be scrambling at the last minute.

Go the Extra Mile: Do the Optional Things

Starting early also gives you a lot of time to start planning and preparing. Knowing that I wanted a laboratory internship to gain some hands-on experience, I knew waiting for companies to send out an AD or email wasn't the way to go. This is Jamaica so I gotta work harder.

For each company that was on my list of potential places, I drafted a unique cover letter and personalised my resume to match each. I had about 10-12 companies so it was a lot and took some time (hence why you need to start early!)

For every email sent - I either sent a follow-up or called directly. For every rejection email received, I always sent a thank you email.

Writing a cover letter, following up, and sending a thank you email might seem like small, annoying steps, but they make a big difference. These little things show that you’re serious and considerate—qualities every employer values.

Unlike many applicants to the Wisynco programme where they were able to connect via networking or your university, I was one of the few who had cold-emailed my way into securing a spot. Imagine my surprise when they called and asked if I was still interested?!

Closed Mouths Don’t Get Fed: Tell Everybody

I’ve learned that you can’t be shy when it comes to seeking opportunities. Closed mouths don't get fed

When I was on the hunt for internships, I made sure everyone knew about it—my professors, friends, and even members of my church.

I also started utilising social media platforms. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter are goldmines for connecting with industry professionals and finding openings.

The more people know you’re looking, the more likely someone will point you in the right direction. One of my connections at Minds of Jamaica connected me with a lecturer at UWI and further connected me with the opening at the Biotech Centre.

Professors and teachers are also great resources. They often have industry connections or know of research opportunities that could align with your interests. (For instance, my lecturer at UWI introduced me to the Biotechnology Centre, which set me on an exciting path in DNA extraction and plant tissue culture.)

Don’t Limit Yourself: Apply Globally

While it’s great to land an internship close to home, don’t hesitate to look beyond borders. Numerous funded overseas internships can offer you unparalleled experiences. Programs like the DAAD RISE in Germany or the Amgen Scholars Program in the U.S. provide funding and hands-on research opportunities that could be game-changers for your career.

Why Internships Matter

Internships are about more than just adding lines to your resume.

They provide real-world experience, networking opportunities, and a chance to discover what you truly enjoy—or don’t enjoy.

Through my time at Wisynco, I gained a deeper understanding of workplace safety and realized the importance of meticulous organization and teamwork. And also discovered my slight distaste for sitting behind a desk for most of the day, lol.

Meanwhile, my stint at the Biotech Centre solidified my interest in laboratory research and skills and gave me a taste of what it’s like to work in a research environment at UWI.

Wisynco Ltd: A Deep Dive into Health and Safety

During my internship as a Health and Safety Assistant at Wisynco Ltd, I quickly saw that safety isn’t just about following rules—it’s a way of thinking that’s essential to how the company operates.

My role involved supporting the Quality, Health, and Safety Department, and I took on tasks that were key to keeping everything organized and safe. One of my main responsibilities was filing and updating safety documents.

Although it was like basic office work, but at a big company like Wisynco, getting these details right is crucial. Keeping all the safety files up-to-date and easy to find wasn’t just about being neat—it was about making sure that safety procedures were always in place and followed. This taught me how important careful, detailed work is in a professional setting.

I also got to step outside the office and conduct safety inspections across different departments. As I walked through the various areas, I looked for any potential hazards and checked if everyone was following the safety guidelines. This gave me a better understanding of how safety works in practice and how important it is to stay on top of it in a busy work environment. Seeing how every part of the company relies on safety to keep things running smoothly was a real eye-opener.

I worked with others on the team to design signs that were clear and easy to understand, reinforcing the importance of safety for everyone. This experience showed me how different areas like science, office work, and safety all connect and support each other. The detailed work in the office helped build a strong foundation for safety, the inspections made sure those plans worked in real life, and the teamwork in creating safety signs brought it all together.

I learned that in a big company like Wisynco, safety is essential—it’s what keeps everything and everyone working well.

The staff at the Health and Safety Department made my experience at Wisynco even more memorable. From the moment I joined, they were incredibly welcoming and down-to-earth, making me feel like part of the team right away. They were always ready to answer my questions and guide me through my tasks, which made a huge difference in how quickly I settled in. A week into my internship, they even surprised me with a little token for my birthday—a thoughtful gesture that made me feel truly appreciated and valued, even as a newcomer.

UWI Biotechnology Centre: From DNA Extractions to Insecticide Resistance

My time at the UWI Biotechnology Centre was an incredible deep dive into research, but it also taught me just how challenging and time-consuming it can be. As a Laboratory and Research Assistant, I worked on several projects that really sharpened my technical skills and expanded my understanding of science.

One of my first tasks was doing DNA extractions, which quickly became second nature to me. Whether it was from plant leaves or fly legs, I had to be precise and consistent at every step. Each stage, from grinding the tissue to isolating the DNA, required careful attention, and I soon realized how frustrating it can be when things don’t go as planned—like when experiments fail, reagents expire, or lab materials run out.

Managing the autoclave, which sterilizes jars, pipette tips, and other materials, was another key part of my role. It was crucial for preventing contamination in our experiments. Getting the hang of this equipment gave me a real sense of responsibility and made me appreciate the importance of lab safety even more.

I also got to initiate plant tissue cultures with yellow ginger and turmeric, which involved placing plant material in a nutrient-rich medium to encourage growth. Watching these cultures develop over time was incredibly rewarding, but it also showed me that research often requires a lot of patience—sometimes you spend more time waiting than actually doing.

One of the most significant projects I worked on was a PhD-level study on mosquito resistance to insecticides. I helped with data collection and analysis, working closely with the PhD candidate and the team.

This experience not only improved my research skills but also highlighted the real-world impact that scientific research can have. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing—keeping track of inventory, waiting for lab supplies to arrive, and dealing with unexpected delays were all part of the process.

Final Thoughts

My internships at Wisynco and the UWI Biotechnology Centre were invaluable in building my skills and confirming my career aspirations.

Whether I was ensuring workplace safety or contributing to groundbreaking research, I gained experiences that I’ll carry with me throughout my career.

If you’re considering an internship, don’t hesitate to dive in headfirst. You might be surprised by just how much you can learn and achieve in a short time.

If you need more information, don't hesitate to leave a comment down below!