Big Pharma – My first professional internship experience

From October 2023 to April 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to complete a student internship in the marketing and sales department for OTC and CHC products at Hemofarm, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in our country.

When I first learned about the internship, I was thrilled and eager to begin. I knew this experience would provide me with a structured plan for advancement and learning and allow me to collaborate with a well-coordinated team of experienced professionals. However, as the start date of the internship and the university term approached, I became increasingly anxious about managing all my responsibilities.

Fortunately, accepting this internship turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The team I joined was exceptional, and I successfully balanced all my obligations, making me incredibly proud of myself. During this internship, I had the privilege of working with my mentor, MPharm. Hana Bejtović, a product manager at Hemofarm.

Together, we tackled various tasks, including:

• Conducting promotional activities in pharmacies

• Assisting with everyday tasks such as creating marketing plans, preparing

• documentation for regulatory bodies, brainstorming for new product launches, and product design

• Making forecasts and preparing educational presentations about our products for pharmacists, doctors, and patients

• Participating in professional conferences and conducting market research
  

To excel in such an internship, certain qualities are essential. You need to be an active student to get noticed by the company, possess excellent communication skills, be ambitious, friendly, open-minded, proactive, creative, quick-thinking, and flexible.

The biggest challenge I faced was balancing my full-time studies with this part-time internship. I was fortunate to have the best possible mentor. Hana was understanding, supportive, and taught me a lot, making the experience even more enriching. The entire team made me feel like I had chosen them myself.

My advice to younger students is to research how things work in a company before joining and choose an internship in an area that genuinely interests you. This will ignite a continuous curiosity and a desire to learn.

I highly recommend seizing any opportunity to work in the industry you plan to enter after your studies. While studies should always come first, if you find it challenging to manage everything in a particular academic year, consider postponing the internship for an easier semester. During the intervju, clearly communicate that your studies are your top priority; a good employer will understand this. If they don’t, it’s a sign that the company might not be the right fit for you.

Overall, this internship was a transformative experience that provided me with invaluable insights and skills. I’m grateful for the opportunity and the wonderful team at Hemofarm.

Sumeja Hadžalić

University of Sarajevo – Faculty of Pharmacy

5th year