From Intern to Innovator: How Luke Shaped His Role at Biogen

Internships are often the first step to a long and fruitful career. They can serve as exposure to a new field, a crucial networking opportunity, or a chance to secure a full-time position. And that’s the case for Luke Smith, who’s now a Portfolio Data Analytics Developer at Biogen. “My internship was centered on learning from people across the organization,” he says. “That exposure gave me a clear picture of how cross-functional decisions work together to shape development.”

During his internship at Biogen, Smith leveraged his time to make the most out of the opportunity, ultimately designing a system that would be implemented into the company’s larger workflow.

“I built a creative feature into a portfolio presentation to make the data more engaging. Later, that idea evolved into a powerful tool my team now uses,” he says. “Seeing something I created continue to benefit the team is deeply motivating.”

Smith made sure Biogen felt his impact, and Biogen made sure their internship program was fulfilling and engaging. “Biogen helped me grow by opening doors to opportunities that felt like a natural next step for me,” says Smith.

Here, as a permanent employee at Biogen, Smith discusses his journey, details his experience as an intern, and gives his best advice for those looking to maximize their internship opportunity.

After completing a full year of graduate coursework in biotech operations and enterprise, I wanted my work to move beyond theory and be directly connected to real improvements for patients. Biogen stood out to me because of its reputation for innovation in neuroscience and its culture of genuine collaboration. Through early interactions with Biogen employees, I felt welcomed—not just professionally but personally through activities like the Biogen volleyball club and Biogen-sponsored community service projects. Those experiences highlighted the openness and quality of the people here, and that sense of community made Biogen an even more compelling place to grow.

I met with leaders in pharmaceutical manufacturing on a daily basis to understand what aspects of a molecule or process drove their work within Biogen’s portfolio. One of my favorite parts was how approachable everyone was, from informal team meals to conversations about hobbies or vacation spots. These moments created strong connections and showed me that Biogen values people as much as it values science.

What surprised me most was how quickly an idea could spark real, lasting impact. During my internship, a creative feature that I built became a tool that the company now uses to cut through dense information and share interactive insights with stakeholders. It showed me that fresh perspectives are welcomed here and can drive innovation.

I began my career as a medical laboratory scientist, leading diagnostic teams and delivering rapid, reliable results for patients in critical need. That role taught me precision, teamwork, and problem-solving under pressure. Over time, I expanded my focus from executing individual tests to improving laboratory operations and strategy, which sparked my interest in broader-scale impact. Today at Biogen, I build on those foundations in portfolio management by managing programs, anticipating resource needs, and supporting strategic decisions that help accelerate medicines from early development to patients worldwide.

I’ve been encouraged to take ownership of projects, share new ideas, and learn through collaboration with colleagues who bring deep expertise—especially in public speaking and presenting to senior leadership. The company also creates mentorship and development opportunities for early-career employees and even interns, ensuring that talent is supported at every stage. For me, Biogen has been a place where growth is not only possible but actively encouraged.

The project I am most proud of involved conducting expert interviews to build a portfolio-wide resource forecast model. The idea came from recognizing the need for better ways to anticipate resources across Biogen’s evolving therapeutic portfolio. By collaborating with colleagues from different functions, we created a model that aligned insights and improved long-term planning. It was rewarding to see how the project not only answered immediate needs but also provided a framework that will support future programs. Contributing to that strategic impact was deeply meaningful.

The best career advice I’ve received is to recognize that problem-solving is at the heart of every career. If you focus on a small problem that genuinely interests you, it can point toward your desired career path. Spotting patterns that point toward long-term growth keeps me grounded in solving meaningful problems. Albert Einstein was once quoted as saying, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend fifty-five minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” I keep in mind Einstein’s reminder that most problem-solving is about understanding the problem itself before jumping to solutions.

Take time to really read through the internship postings and go beyond the job titles. Look closely at the descriptions to find roles that spark genuine curiosity and align with your skills. Biogen has such a broad range of opportunities that there is something for everyone, but the most rewarding experiences come when you pursue what excites you. Once you’re here, stay open to learning from the people around you—every conversation is a chance to discover something valuable.

Many people are surprised to learn that outside of biotech, I sketch rapid portraits as a creative outlet. It helps me sharpen my ability to notice fine details, whether in a person’s unique expressions or subtle features. This practice carries into my work, where noticing details often makes the difference in understanding team dynamics or solving problems in real-time. For me, art and science connect in complementary ways—both require curiosity, focus, and the ability to see patterns others might miss.