After facing rejections from prestigious institutes such as the IISER and the IITs, I was apprehensive about applying to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) for an internship. Constant encouragement from my friends and family made me prepare a write-up on ‘Why does science interest you?’. I included my reasons for choosing science as a career, quotes from eminent scientists, and details about my areas of interest — immunotherapy. I emphasised on why I wanted to join JNU and the importance of science and research for the prosperity of mankind.
I was selected for the internship. On the first day, I walked down the roads of the campus and reached the convention centre of JNU for the introductory lecture and brunch. We proceeded to the School of Life Sciences where the internship was to be undertaken and guides were allotted to us.
Ground zero
I had no prior lab experience and started from scratch. I worked in the eukaryotic gene regulation laboratory, a place I initially found to be filled with an array of chemicals and gigantic machines. During my 40-day tenure, I learnt techniques in basic molecular biology, including media preparation, PCR, western blotting, transformation, and screening. Apart from this, I got a chance to perform new methods such as spot assay and electroplating. Sometimes, I worked at night and took care of machines, performed experiments all by myself, and shut down the instruments without fail. These responsibilities made me confident and added to my experience. I also helped Ph.D. scholars with their work, which helped me gain insights into various subjects. We also attended classes by eminent teachers, which enhanced my knowledge and helped me tackle entrance exams. I made blunders but was forgiven, taught, and consoled.
Holistic experience
I loved ‘the busy life’ — working in the lab, preparing reports, and having fun in the hostel. I made some great friends as well. We explored the campus and hung out at the classic spots — the canteens, dhabas , Parthsarthi rocks, open air theatre, caves, and the 24/7 open library.
From gaining knowledge and hands-on training to making friends, the internship was a journey of immense learning, enabling me to upgrade my skills and build relationships.
Karishma Arora completed her post-graduation in biomedical sciences from Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Centre for Biomedical Research, University of Delhi.
Courtesy: Internshala
