Hailey Nguyen ‘21

Tell us about your internship.

I got the opportunity to work with the Regulatory Affairs (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls) team at AbbVie Inc through their Experiential Internship Program. The team's work focuses on compiling and approving regulatory submissions related to the manufacturing information of AbbVie drugs and treatments, to make sure that they are safe and effective to be delivered into markets for patients. Originally, the internship was supposed to take place on-site at the company's headquarters in North Chicago, Illinois; however, due to the pandemic situation, the program was conducted virtually. 

How do you think your experiences at Knox prepared you for this internship?

I believe that my experiences at Knox have contributed to my success with my internship. As a student with a double major in biochemistry and business & management, I was able to gain an insight into the healthcare industry from two different viewpoints: the research side and the business side. My dual background has nurtured my passion for improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare. Besides, my involvement in clubs and organizations have challenged me to take initiative as a leader of the team and fostered my communication and cross-functional teamwork skills, which are necessary when working in the pharmaceutical industry.

What were some highlights of your internship experience? 

The goal of my work was to create generic templates so that managers can use them for their own projects. My third assignment focused on re-designing the decision tree using MindMap software, which would help to visualize the hierarchy and connections of concepts and ideas. Moreover, as an intern, I got the opportunity to take part in AbbVie virtual tours to learn more about how the company delivers clinical supplies for studies around the world.