Jillian: Taking it a Step Higher

One thing has remained manifest since the beginning of my internship – success takes initiative. Being willing to do the work given to you and doing it with a smile is a great way to show your capabilities as an intern, but taking it a step higher and being proactive with assignments is the way to earn respect and recognition. Offering to take on assignments prior to allocation and executing them with all of your effort has played an integral role in my success throughout the duration of this internship.
In helping to complete one of the largest RFIs I have ever seen since my time as an intern, I was pleased when I came across a question regarding our biostatistical experience. I remembered that a couple months ago, I had written a case study highlighting our biostatistical experience for a complex trial recently conducted. I went back and forth with the idea of using this case study as a means of answering the biostatistical question. I wasn’t sure if my supervisor would like the idea, or if it was good enough to include in such a significant RFI. After this self-inflicted debate, I decided to utilize the case study I was proud of and present it to my supervisor and colleague during a meeting. To my delight, they were extremely pleased and excited to use the case study in answering the question. Furthermore, they suggested removing it as an attachment icon as I had it, and importing it as a word document so as to make it “up front” and more presentable to the client. The initiative and slight risk I decided to take was well worth it!

The case study I wrote has now been used twice in order to market our services. Initiative was used to write the case study itself, and now I am initiating the utilization of the case study in appropriate situations. Going further, I believe effort, willingness, and initiative all contributed to the extension of my internship into next semester, something I am truly looking forward to continuing!