How to Gain Lab Experience While Still in School
By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD ·
Quick Answer
- Seek formal internships through university career offices and professional societies like the American Society for Microbiology, which maintains dedicated career development pathways for laboratory roles.
- Combine structured programs with independent academic projects and volunteer positions to build a documented record of hands-on technique before graduation.
- Entry-level laboratory positions often require prior experience, so start building your record in your first year instead of waiting until your final semester.
At a Glance
The table below compares the main pathways students use to gain laboratory experience before graduation. Each option carries different time commitments, supervision levels, and documentation value for future employers.
| Experience Pathway | Typical Time Commitment | Supervision Level | Documentation Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Formal internship program | 10 to 15 weeks, often full time | Direct supervision by a designated mentor | High, with structured evaluation and reference letters |
| Faculty research project | 1 to 3 semesters, variable hours | Close faculty or graduate student oversight | High, with publishable outcomes possible |
| Volunteer laboratory assistant | 5 to 10 hours per week | Variable, depends on lab capacity | Moderate, requires self-directed record keeping |
| Entry-level laboratory job | Part-time or full-time | Professional staff supervision | High, counts as paid work experience |
| Student club or competition team | Semester-long project cycles | Peer and faculty oversight | Moderate, useful for teamwork and protocol skills |
Understanding the Laboratory Experience Requirement
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook documents that laboratory technician roles typically require postsecondary education, with many employers expecting candidates to have completed an applied science program or hold an associate degree. The same source notes that medical laboratory scientists commonly need a bachelor's degree, and some states require licensure or certification beyond the degree itself. This means the experience you gain while still in school directly affects your ability to meet the education and training expectations that employers use to screen applicants.
The O*NET OnLine database provides task descriptions for laboratory occupations that clarify what employers actually expect. For medical and clinical laboratory technicians, the work involves examining specimens, operating automated analyzers, and recording data from tests. For biological technicians, the tasks include conducting research, performing laboratory procedures, and maintaining equipment. These task descriptions give you a practical checklist of skills to build before you graduate.
The National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training and Education describes research training as a developmental process that includes hands-on work, mentoring relationships, and structured professional development. This framework applies to students at any institution, also those working at NIH. The core principle is that laboratory experience is not a single event but a sequence of increasingly independent tasks under decreasing supervision.
Core Principles for Building Laboratory Experience
Start With Coursework That Includes Laboratory Components
Your first laboratory experience is the one built into your degree program. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that laboratory technician education programs include substantial coursework in chemistry, biology, and mathematics, with laboratory instruction as a core component. Treat these courses as professional training instead of academic requirements. Record every technique you learn, every instrument you operate, and every quality control procedure you perform.
Document Everything You Do
Employers cannot verify skills you cannot name. The O*NET task descriptions for laboratory technicians include specific activities such as preparing specimens, calibrating equipment, and recording data. When you complete a course or project, write a one-page summary of the techniques you used, the instruments you operated, and the quality control measures you followed. Keep these summaries in a single document that you can later adapt into a resume or portfolio.
Seek Structured Programs Early
The American Society for Microbiology maintains career resources that describe the value of internships, fellowships, and other structured training opportunities for students in the life sciences. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education similarly emphasizes that structured training programs provide mentoring and professional development that informal experience cannot replicate. Apply to these programs in your first or second year, because many have application deadlines that fall a full year before the program begins.
Finding Internships and Structured Programs
Use Your Institution's Career Services
Your college career office is the first place to look for laboratory internships. Career offices maintain relationships with local employers, alumni, and research institutions. They can also help you prepare application materials and practice interview skills. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes the value of professional development in the research environment, and your career office can provide the same kind of preparation in a campus setting.
Apply to Federal Research Programs
The National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training and Education offers research training opportunities for students at various stages of their education. The NIH training website describes programs that place students in research laboratories under the supervision of NIH investigators. These programs are competitive, so apply early and prepare a clear statement of your research interests.
The National Science Foundation careers page describes the range of scientific and technical work performed within the agency, including program management and research support roles. While NSF does not operate the same kind of student laboratory training programs as NIH, the agency's career information is useful for understanding the breadth of laboratory-related work in federal research organizations.
Use Professional Society Resources
The American Society for Microbiology careers page provides information about career paths in microbiology, including internships, fellowships, and networking opportunities. Professional societies in other fields, such as chemistry, biochemistry, and clinical laboratory science, maintain similar resources. Join the society that matches your field and use its career services to find programs that are not advertised on general job boards.
Contact Faculty Directly
Faculty members who run research laboratories often accept undergraduate volunteers or research assistants even when they do not advertise positions. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes mentoring as a core component of research training, and faculty mentors can provide the same kind of guidance in a campus setting. Prepare a short email that states your interest, your relevant coursework, and the number of hours you can commit per week.
Volunteer Opportunities That Build Laboratory Skills
Hospital and Clinical Laboratories
Clinical laboratories in hospitals and clinics sometimes accept volunteers for non-testing tasks such as sample receiving, labeling, and record keeping. These tasks do not involve direct patient testing, but they give you exposure to the workflow of a clinical laboratory. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes clinical laboratory technicians as working in medical and diagnostic laboratories, and the work environment is one you can observe as a volunteer.
Research Laboratories on Campus
Research laboratories in your own institution are the most accessible volunteer opportunities. Faculty labs need help with tasks such as preparing media, washing glassware, and maintaining inventory. These tasks are not glamorous, but they teach you the discipline of laboratory work and give you a reason to be present when more interesting work is happening.
Veterinary and Animal Health Laboratories
The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges describes the educational pathway for veterinary careers, which includes substantial laboratory work in anatomy, physiology, and clinical diagnostics. If you are interested in animal health, volunteer work in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory can provide experience with specimen handling and laboratory safety that is directly relevant to this pathway.
Community and Public Health Laboratories
Public health laboratories at the state or county level sometimes accept volunteers for sample processing and data entry. These laboratories perform testing for infectious diseases, environmental contaminants, and other public health concerns. The work is regulated and supervised, which means you will learn the documentation and quality control procedures that are standard in clinical laboratory work.
Leveraging Academic Projects for Laboratory Experience
Independent Study Courses
Many departments offer independent study courses that allow you to earn credit for supervised research. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes research training as a structured process that includes a mentor, a project, and a written outcome. An independent study course can provide all three components in a campus setting. Ask your academic advisor which faculty members supervise independent study and what the requirements are.
Capstone and Thesis Projects
Capstone projects and undergraduate theses require you to design, execute, and report on a research project. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that laboratory technician education includes substantial hands-on instruction, and a capstone project is the most substantial hands-on experience you can complete while still in school. Choose a project that requires you to use the instruments and techniques that appear in the O*NET task descriptions for your target occupation.
Course-Based Research Experiences
Some courses include a research component that is not a separate project. For example, a microbiology course might require you to isolate and identify an unknown organism, or a chemistry course might require you to analyze an unknown sample. These course-based experiences are valuable because they are graded, which means you have a formal record of your performance.
Competition Teams
Science competition teams, such as those that participate in synthetic biology or analytical chemistry competitions, provide laboratory experience in a team setting. The American Society for Microbiology describes professional development as including teamwork and communication skills, and competition teams develop both. These teams also produce a final report or presentation that you can include in your portfolio.
Entry-Level Jobs That Provide Laboratory Experience
Laboratory Assistant Positions
Laboratory assistant positions are entry-level jobs that do not require a degree or certification. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes laboratory technicians as working under the supervision of laboratory managers or scientists, and laboratory assistants perform the same kind of support work. These positions are available in academic, clinical, and industrial laboratories.
Sample Receiving and Accessioning
Clinical laboratories employ staff to receive, label, and prepare specimens for testing. This work is not testing, but it provides exposure to the documentation and quality control procedures that are central to clinical laboratory work. The O*NET task descriptions for clinical laboratory technicians include specimen preparation and record keeping, and accessioning work gives you direct experience with both.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance Support
Manufacturing and testing laboratories employ staff to perform quality control checks, maintain records, and support quality assurance programs. These positions are often available to students because they require attention to detail instead of advanced technical training. The work provides experience with the documentation and compliance procedures that are standard in regulated laboratories.
Laboratory Assistant in Academic Research
Faculty research labs sometimes hire students as paid laboratory assistants. These positions are similar to volunteer research positions but provide a wage and a formal employment record. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes the value of paid research training, and a paid position also demonstrates to future employers that you can hold a laboratory job.
Networking and Professional Development
Attend Professional Meetings
Professional societies such as the American Society for Microbiology hold annual meetings where students can present research, attend workshops, and meet potential employers. The ASM careers page describes the value of professional networking for career development. Attend at least one meeting during your time in school, and prepare a short introduction that states your name, your institution, and your research interest.
Join a Professional Society
Professional societies provide access to job boards, mentoring programs, and continuing education. The American Society for Microbiology careers page describes the range of career resources available to members, and other societies offer similar benefits. Join the society that applies to your field and use its resources to find internships and entry-level positions.
Build a Professional Network
The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes mentoring as a core component of research training. A mentor can be a faculty member, a graduate student, or a laboratory manager. The mentor can provide advice, recommend you for positions, and help you understand the culture of laboratory work. Build these relationships early and maintain them after you leave the laboratory.
Use Informational Interviews
An informational interview is a short meeting with a professional who works in a field you are considering. The purpose is to learn about the work, not to ask for a job. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes the value of professional development in research careers, and informational interviews are a form of professional development that you can conduct on your own.
Records and Measurements
Maintain a Laboratory Skills Log
Create a document that lists every laboratory technique you have performed, the date you performed it, and the course or project in which you performed it. The O*NET NET descriptions for laboratory technicians include specific tasks such as preparing specimens, operating analyzers, and recording results. Your log should use the same language so that you can match your experience to employer expectations.
Track Your Hours
Record the number of hours you spend in each laboratory setting. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes research training as a process that requires sustained engagement, and your hour log is the evidence of that engagement. Use a simple spreadsheet with columns for date, setting, task, and hours.
Collect Written Evaluations
Ask your supervisors to write a brief evaluation of your work at the end of each project or semester. The evaluation should describe your tasks, your reliability, and your technical skills. These evaluations are useful when you apply for internships or entry-level positions because they provide third-party verification of your experience.
Build a Portfolio
A portfolio is a collection of documents that demonstrate your laboratory experience. It can include your laboratory log, your written evaluations, your project reports, and your course descriptions. The portfolio is not a formal requirement for laboratory jobs, but it is a useful tool for interviews because it gives you concrete examples to discuss.
Common Failure Patterns
Waiting Until the Final Year
Students who wait until their final year to seek laboratory experience often find that they cannot complete a meaningful project before graduation. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes research training as a process that requires time and sustained engagement. Start in your first or second year so that you have time to complete a project and to use the experience in your job applications.
Applying Only to Competitive Programs
Competitive programs such as NIH internships are valuable, but they are not the only pathway to laboratory experience. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes a range of training opportunities, and your campus and community offer additional options. Apply to competitive programs, but also pursue faculty research, volunteer work, and entry-level jobs.
Not Documenting Your Work
Students who perform laboratory work but do not document it cannot describe it in a job application. The O*NET NET descriptions for laboratory technicians list specific tasks, and your documentation should use the same language. Keep a laboratory log from your first day in the laboratory and update it every time you work.
Ignoring the Clinical Laboratory Pathway
The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes clinical laboratory technicians and scientists as a distinct occupation with specific education and certification requirements. If you are interested in clinical laboratory work, you need to know the requirements for your state and the certification that employers expect. The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides the official description of the occupation, and your institution's career office can help you understand the specific requirements.
Safety and Regulatory Context
Laboratory work involves hazards that require training and supervision. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes the training environment as one that includes safety instruction and supervision. Before you begin any laboratory work, you should receive instruction in the specific hazards of that laboratory, including chemical, biological, and physical hazards.
Clinical laboratory work is regulated by federal and state requirements that govern testing, quality control, and record keeping. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the education and certification requirements for clinical laboratory personnel, and the regulations that apply to clinical laboratories are separate from the regulations that apply to research laboratories. If you are working in a clinical laboratory, you must follow the laboratory's procedures for specimen handling, quality control, and documentation.
Animal research is regulated by federal and institutional requirements that govern the care and use of laboratory animals. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges describes the educational pathway for veterinary careers, and the same regulatory framework applies to research that uses animals. If you are working in an animal laboratory, you must complete the required training and follow the institutional procedures.
Professional Escalation Criteria
You should seek additional guidance or escalate a concern when you encounter a situation that you cannot resolve with your current training. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes the role of mentors in research training, and your mentor is the first person to contact when you have a question about your work.
Contact your supervisor immediately if you observe a safety hazard, a quality control failure, or a procedure that you do not understand. Do not attempt to resolve a safety or quality issue on your own. The laboratory supervisor is responsible for the safety and quality of the work, and you should report any concern to that person.
If you are working in a clinical laboratory, you should follow the laboratory's procedures for reporting errors and quality issues. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the work of clinical laboratory personnel as including quality control and documentation, and the laboratory's procedures are the authority for how to handle an error.
If you are working in a research laboratory, you should follow the laboratory's procedures for reporting incidents and data issues. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes the importance of integrity in research training, and your supervisor is the person to contact when you have a concern about data or research conduct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours of laboratory experience do I need before I graduate?
There is no universal hour requirement for laboratory experience. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the education and training requirements for laboratory technicians and scientists, but these requirements are set by employers and certification bodies, not by a single standard. Your goal should be to build a documented record of laboratory work that includes multiple techniques and settings.
What is the difference between a laboratory technician and a laboratory scientist?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes laboratory technicians as typically needing an associate degree or postsecondary certificate, while laboratory scientists typically need a bachelor's degree. The work of a technician is more focused on specimen preparation and testing, while the work of a scientist includes more analysis and interpretation. Your education and certification determine which role you are eligible for.
Do I need certification to work in a laboratory?
Certification requirements depend on the type of laboratory and the state where you work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes certification as a requirement for some clinical laboratory positions, and the specific requirements are set by the state and the employer. Research laboratories do not require the same certification, but they may require specific training or experience.
Can I get laboratory experience through an online course?
Online courses can provide knowledge, but they cannot provide the hands-on experience that laboratory work requires. The O*NET task descriptions for laboratory technicians include physical tasks such as preparing specimens and operating instruments, and these tasks require a physical laboratory. Use online courses to supplement your laboratory work, not to replace it.
How do I find a mentor for laboratory work?
The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes mentoring as a core component of research training. Your mentor can be a faculty member, a graduate student, or a laboratory professional. Ask your faculty advisor for a recommendation, or contact a faculty member whose research interests you. A mentor should be someone who can supervise your work and provide feedback.
What should I do if I cannot find an internship?
If you cannot find a formal internship, pursue volunteer work, independent study, or an entry-level job. The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education describes a range of training pathways, and the same range exists in your campus and community. A volunteer position in a research laboratory is a valid pathway to laboratory experience.
How do I describe my laboratory experience in a job application?
Describe your experience using the same language that employers use. The O*NET task descriptions for laboratory technicians list specific tasks such as preparing specimens, operating analyzers, and recording results. Use this language in your resume and interview to show that your experience matches the employer's expectations.
Is it better to work in a clinical laboratory or a research laboratory?
The choice depends on your career goals. The Bureau of Labor Statistics describes clinical laboratory work as a distinct occupation with specific education and certification requirements, while research laboratory work is more varied. If you are interested in clinical work, pursue clinical laboratory experience. If you are interested in research, pursue research laboratory experience.
Using the Evidence
| Source | Best use in this topic | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Outlook Handbook | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements |
| O*NET OnLine | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements |
| Office of Intramural Training and Education | official guidance | Check the linked page for current local requirements |
Related Articles
- Laboratory Technician Career Progression: From Entry-Level to Specialist
- Public Health Data Analyst: Career Guide and Job Search Strategies
- Bioinformatics Entry Level Jobs
- entry level biology jobs
- Entry Level Medical Assistant Jobs
References and Further Reading
- Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- O*NET OnLine. U.S. Department of Labor.
- Office of Intramural Training and Education. National Institutes of Health.
- Careers at NSF. U.S. National Science Foundation.
- Career Services. American Society for Microbiology.
- AAVMC Career Resources. Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges.
- NCBI Literature Resources. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
- PubMed. National Library of Medicine.
This article is educational and does not replace institutional policy, professional advice, or applicable safety and regulatory requirements.