2026 SAKS Health Summer Internship Recap
- SAKS Health
- Aug 26
- 3 min read
Each summer, for the last six years, our internship program has offered students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while contributing to meaningful work in healthcare communications. As this year's program came to a close, we sat down with our summer intern to reflect on their experience—from the projects they worked on and the skills they developed to the insights they gained about this industry.
Our SAKS Health Summer Intern this year was Alexandra Miller, a rising senior at Hobart & William Smith Colleges double majoring in Economics and Biology. In the interview below, she shares her perspective on the internship, the challenges and successes she encountered, and her advice for future interns considering a similar opportunity.
Alex, can you tell us what drew you to healthcare communications?
“I’m interested in a career at the intersection of science and business within biotech and pharmaceuticals, and healthcare communications felt like a great place to start learning about the players involved and interactions within the industry.”
What did you expect at the start of your internship experience and how has that expectation changed or stayed the same?
“I expected a quick training process and run-down of the business and industry before getting right into work. However, SAKS really emphasizes that the internship is an ongoing learning experience, with 101 presentations about different roles, capabilities, industries we interact with, and more continuing over the course of the internship.”
What is one thing you learned from this internship?
“I learned that strong communication and collaboration are just as important as technical knowledge. Watching the team work together showed me how much successful projects depend on clear communication, organization, and willingness to share expertise. It reinforced to me that healthcare communications is truly a team effort.”
How do you believe this internship has prepared you for post-grad professional job search?
“The internship with SAKS has helped me determine the type of work I’d like to do, and the culture of a company I’d like to work with. Everyone at SAKS is so friendly, kind, organized, and motivated, and it is truly inspiring to work with this type of team!”
How, if at all, has your perception of the pharma/healthcare industry changed?
“This experience has broadened my perspective on the pharma/healthcare industry. I’ve learned that it is an incredibly complex ecosystem made up of interconnected sectors. Beyond scientists developing new therapies and sales teams commercializing them, there are regulatory bodies, consulting firms, market access specialists, and many other organizations that play essential roles in bringing healthcare innovation to patients.”
What kinds of projects did you work on during your internship?
“I helped update and improve some internship resources, such as 101 presentations and a list of healthcare communications terminology and definitions. I also worked on Hot Topic presentations, where I researched and presented background, current events, and issues surrounding a relevant topic such as AI in healthcare, offshore clinical trials, and GLP-1s. My main project has been an industry analysis, where I dove deep into the history, capabilities, and social media presence of network and independent agencies.”
What surprised you most about working in a healthcare communications company?
“I was most surprised by the extensive experience and knowledge of all the SAKS team members I engaged with. Even those who did not study or begin their careers in healthcare or pharmaceuticals truly know the ins-and-outs of the industry, from history and legislation to medical terminology.”
What would you tell prospective interns?
“Be yourself and don’t worry about not knowing things at first! This internship is an immersive and educational experience, where you are not expected to know everything, just to be a motivated, enthusiastic, and dedicated worker.”
Like in years past, our Summer Internship program doesn’t simply provide an educational experience for interns. Our interns consistently bring new perspectives, insights, and learnings to our entire team. We wish Alex a great senior year and look forward to all she will accomplish going forward.
In order to enable Better Healthcare Tomorrow™ we must be willing to constantly seek new ideas and experiences. If you are interested in joining SAKS Health for our next Internship Program be sure to connect with us!
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