How To Become A Laboratory Internship: What It Is and Career Path

What is a laboratory internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Professor Susan Bergeson,

Xenia Morin Ph.D.

A laboratory intern is tasked with assisting laboratory operations. They perform examinations and experiments under the supervision of tenured laboratory staff. Laboratory interns shadow lab staff to learn about the laboratory processes. They document their observations and analyze the results. They follow established procedures and best practices. Also, they assist in preparing samples for various laboratory analyses. Besides that, they receive, organize, and maintain the inventory of laboratory and sampling supplies. Furthermore, they assist in preparing reports, manuals, and publications. Additionally, they assist in preparing data or materials and creating spreadsheets.

To be eligible for this internship, you must be currently enrolled in a degree in chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, or a related field. You must have interpersonal, communication, analytical, organization, and collaboration skills. You must be proficient in Microsoft Office. Laboratory interns earn an average salary of $31,565 yearly, equivalent to $15.18 per hour. This varies between $25,000 to $39,000.

What general advice would you give to a laboratory internship?

Professor Susan Bergeson

Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Knowledge, enthusiasm, and hard work go a long way in a career, once you have a job. However, getting that first job can be difficult. Biotechnology careers often involve constructive collaboration. Many CEOs have realized that Emotional Intelligence is valuable. EI-related interview questions give an idea of how you might fit within an organization. Be prepared. Remember, as big Pharma contracted, Biotechnology has expanded; your future is bright.

ScoreLaboratory InternshipUS Average

Salary

2.8

Avg. Salary $35,305

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 2.37%

Asian 18.21%

Black or African American 11.58%

Hispanic or Latino 12.48%

Unknown 6.07%

White 49.30%

Gender

female 52.18%

male 47.82%

Age - 37

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

8.1

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a laboratory internship

Explore laboratory internship education requirements

Most common laboratory internship degrees

Bachelor's

74.3 %

Associate

10.2 %

Master's

7.0 %

Start to develop specific laboratory internship skills

Skills	Percentages
Lab Procedures	10.71%
Chemistry	10.33%
Python	9.59%
C++	5.78%
Laboratory Procedures	5.66%

Complete relevant laboratory internship training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New laboratory interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a laboratory internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real laboratory internship resumes.

Research laboratory internship duties and responsibilities

Manage patient, and corporate information with compassion and confidentiality.
Perform various laboratory experiments with instructor including DNA electrophoresis, forensic studies, and DNA extraction.
Process postmortem tissue for sectioning.
Help the students learn about the basics of biology, including cells to ecology.

Prepare your laboratory internship resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your laboratory internship resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a laboratory internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable laboratory internship resume templates

Build a professional laboratory internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your laboratory internship resume.

Apply for laboratory internship jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a laboratory internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first laboratory internship job

Tawe Bruns

Laboratory Internship

I am Bruns Tawe, a dedicated and passionate individual, who has carved a successful career path in the field of laboratory research and technology. With a strong foundation in science and a relentless drive to make a difference, I navigated through challenges and opportunities to become a respected professional in my field.

From a young age, I exhibited a keen interest in science and a curiosity about the natural world. My fascination with biology, chemistry, and research sparked a desire to pursue a career in the field of life sciences. Encouraged by my teachers and parents, I embarked on this academic journey with a focus on scientific disciplines that would lay the groundwork for my future endeavors.

I pursued a rigorous academic path, earning a degree in Biological Sciences and a Diploma in Biochemistry from the University of Yaounde I in Cameroon. During my studies, I actively engaged in research projects, laboratory work, and internships that provided hands-on experience in conducting experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with fellow researchers. These experiences not only honed my technical skills but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the scientific method and the importance of precision and accuracy in laboratory work.

After completing this area of my education, I sought opportunities to apply my knowledge and skills in a professional setting. I joined Centre de Santé Halal Aïra as a laboratory researcher and technician, where I quickly established myself as a valuable asset to the team. My dedication to quality research, attention to detail, and ability to troubleshoot complex issues set me apart as a reliable and competent professional in the field where I was nominated to be the Laboratory Coordinator.

Throughout his career, I made significant contributions to the field of laboratory research and technology. My innovative approaches to experimental design, data analysis, and problem-solving have led to breakthroughs in understanding complex biological processes and developing new diagnostic tools. Some of my work will be published online when I'm done with my Masters research program where I am currently studying Advance Clinical Biology at Evangelical University of Cameroon. My commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in the field has enabled me to continuously improve my skills and contribute to cutting-edge research projects.

As I continue to grow and evolve in my career,

How do laboratory interns rate their job?

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Laboratory internship reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Cons

None

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019