She Was Forced to Face Reality as an International Student in the Workforce During Her Co-op at Vor Bio, a World Leading Biotechnology Company

Widler Casy
Jan 17
4 min read

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Biotech Intern Newsletter: Spotlight on Reetika Singh

Welcome to this edition of the Biotech Intern Newsletter. Today, we are excited to feature Reetika Singh, whose on site internship at Vor Bio highlights the importance of communication, curiosity, and personal growth in building a strong foundation for a career in biotechnology.

Internship Snapshot

Company: Vor Bio

Location: On site

How It Started: “I came across the position on LinkedIn while actively searching for quality focused co op roles.”

During her time at Vor Bio, Reetika worked as a Quality Systems Co op, supporting key processes that help ensure the organization remains inspection ready.

A Day in the Life

At Vor Bio, Reetika supported document control, training management, and the maintenance of quality systems that keep the company running smoothly.

“I worked as a Quality Systems Co op, where I supported document control, training management, and helped maintain the overall quality processes that keep the company inspection ready.”

Her role gave her a behind the scenes look at how strong quality systems enable scientific teams to operate effectively and compliantly.

Lessons from the Experience

Biggest Learning:

“I learned how much professionalism and communication matter in a real work environment. Everything from writing clear emails to asking questions confidently made a huge difference in how effectively I could contribute.”

This experience showed Reetika that technical knowledge is only part of success and that communication plays an equally important role.

Best Advice Received

“At the beginning of your career, your biggest focus should be on learning as much as you can. Everything else follows naturally once you build that foundation.”

This advice encouraged Reetika to prioritize growth and learning over perfection.

Wish I Had Known

“I wish I knew how normal it is to not know everything on day one. Asking questions is not a weakness, it is actually the fastest way to grow.”

That mindset shift helped her become more confident and engaged in her work.

Fun Moments and Growth

Most Fun Experience:

“Learning new things and talking to people about their experiences was the highlight. Vor Pour every other week, hosted by different departments, was always so much fun. I genuinely miss those moments.”

These experiences helped make learning feel both meaningful and enjoyable.

Biggest Struggle

“I started my co op as a pretty shy person, so speaking up felt intimidating.”

Over time, Reetika learned that open communication made her work easier and more impactful.

“Asking questions and communicating openly with my team helped me become a stronger contributor.”

Behind the Scenes

Resource I Wish I Used More:

“I wish I had spent more time connecting with people outside my immediate team to learn about their work and career paths.”

Who Made It Memorable:

“All the credit goes to my manager. She taught me, guided me whenever I was stuck, and trusted me with responsibilities that helped me grow.”

That support played a major role in her professional development.

Advice for Future Interns

Words of Wisdom:

“Focus on learning as much as you can, collaborate with people, ask questions, and enjoy the experience. It goes by faster than you think.”

What Interns Should Focus On:

“Focus on becoming a better version of yourself, both professionally and personally. Every day is a chance to build a new skill.”

A Defining Story

Near the end of her internship, Reetika faced an unexpected challenge when the company went through a major workforce reduction.

“I was impacted during my fifth month of a six month internship, just as I was preparing to start a new project and my final presentation.”

As an international student, she also had to quickly navigate university requirements.

“I panicked at first, but I reached out to my advisor and explained everything. She helped me get enrolled in an academic project so I could meet the requirements.”

The experience reinforced an important lesson.

“Instead of stressing alone, communicating early and asking for help can solve problems faster than you expect.”

Rapid Fire

Coffee or Tea: Coffee

Meetings: In person meetings

Mountains or Beaches: Beaches

Closing Thoughts

Reetika Singh’s internship journey at Vor Bio reflects resilience, self growth, and the power of communication. Her willingness to ask questions, seek guidance, and step outside her comfort zone turned challenges into meaningful learning moments that will shape her future career.

Connect with Reetika Singh, on LinkedIn to follow her journey in biotech.