Internships vs. Freelancing vs. Volunteering

By Dr. Zubair Khalid, DVM, MS, PhD · 2026-08-27

Quick Answer

• Choose an internship when you need structured training, mentorship, and employer credibility to enter bioinformatics from another field.
• Choose freelancing when you already have marketable skills and need income flexibility while building a portfolio of client work.
• Choose volunteering when you need low-risk exposure to a field, can afford unpaid time, and want to test interest before committing to paid training.

At a Glance

Understanding the Three Experience Pathways

Career changers entering bioinformatics face a practical problem. You need demonstrable skills, but you also need income, time, and a way to signal competence to employers. Internships, freelancing, and volunteering each solve part of that problem, and each carries distinct tradeoffs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook describes how occupations in the life sciences and computing fields typically require specific education and training pathways. For bioinformatics specifically, the relevant occupation pages note that entry often requires a bachelor's degree in a related field, with graduate degrees common for research positions. This means your choice of experience pathway should align with the education level you already hold and the specific role you target.

Internships function as structured training placements. An employer or research institution hosts you for a defined period, assigns you to supervised work, and provides feedback. The National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training and Education describes its training programs as opportunities for students and recent graduates to work alongside experienced researchers while developing professional skills. This structure suits career changers because it converts your existing biology or computing background into applied bioinformatics experience under guidance.

Freelancing operates differently. You market specific skills to clients who pay for deliverables. A freelance bioinformatics analyst might process sequencing data, build analysis pipelines, or create visualization dashboards for research groups that lack in-house expertise. The work is real and paid, but you carry the responsibility for finding clients, managing timelines, and delivering quality without a supervisor reviewing your methods.

Volunteering offers exposure without financial compensation. Nonprofit organizations, community science projects, academic labs, and professional societies often accept volunteers for data work, literature reviews, or tool development. The American Society for Microbiology career resources describe how involvement in professional communities and service activities helps build visibility and connections in the field. For a career changer, volunteering can provide a low-risk way to confirm that bioinformatics work matches your expectations before you invest in formal training or turn down income.

Assessing Your Starting Position

Before choosing a pathway, conduct an honest inventory of your current situation. Three factors matter most: your existing skill level, your financial runway, and your target role.

Skill Inventory

Your current technical abilities determine which pathways are realistic. Bioinformatics requires competence in several areas, including command-line computing, programming in languages such as Python or R, statistical analysis, and domain knowledge in molecular biology. The O*NET OnLine database describes the tasks and skills associated with bioinformatics roles, including analyzing biological data, developing software tools, and interpreting results in a biological context.

If you already hold strong programming skills from a software career, freelancing may be viable immediately. You can take on data-processing projects while learning the biological context. If your background is purely biological with limited computing experience, an internship provides the structured environment needed to build technical skills safely. Volunteering can serve either situation, but it is especially useful when you need to learn whether you enjoy the day-to-day work before committing to a longer training path.

Financial Runway

Income needs constrain your options. The Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that many occupations require education or training that involves an initial period of lower earnings. Internships vary in compensation, with some paid and some unpaid depending on the employer and field. Freelancing generates income immediately but with irregular cash flow. Volunteering typically provides no income at all.

Calculate how many months you can sustain yourself without a full-time salary. If that number is under three months, prioritize paid work, which may mean freelancing or seeking a paid internship. If you have six months or more of runway, volunteering or an unpaid internship becomes feasible as an investment in your career transition.

Target Role Definition

Your end goal determines which pathway offers the most relevant experience. The National Science Foundation careers page describes a range of scientific, program, and technical roles within a federal research organization, illustrating that bioinformatics skills apply across research, administration, and technical support functions. A role in academic research may value internship experience at a recognized institution. A role in industry may value a portfolio of completed freelance projects that demonstrate practical delivery. A role in public service or nonprofit work may value volunteer experience that shows commitment to mission-driven work.

Write a one-paragraph description of the job you want in two years. Include the job title, the type of organization, and the core responsibilities. Then evaluate each pathway against that description.

Internships: Structured Training and Institutional Credibility

Internships provide the most structured path into bioinformatics for career changers. You trade some control over your schedule and projects for supervision, feedback, and an institutional name on your resume.

What Internships Offer

The National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training and Education describes its training programs as opportunities to work in research environments while receiving mentorship and professional development. This model applies broadly across internship programs in academic, government, and industry settings. You receive assignments designed to build skills progressively, regular feedback from a supervisor, and exposure to how professionals in the field approach problems.

For a career changer, the supervision component is critical. A supervisor can correct your methods, explain why certain approaches are standard, and help you understand the expectations of the field. This feedback loop accelerates learning compared to working alone.

Internships also provide institutional credibility. When you apply for your first full-time bioinformatics role, an internship at a recognized research organization signals that someone with expertise has already evaluated your work and found it acceptable. The Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges describes how structured training and mentorship prepare individuals for professional careers, a principle that applies across scientific fields.

Limitations of Internships

Internships have real constraints. They are temporary by design, typically lasting a summer or a semester. The schedule is fixed, which may conflict with current employment or family obligations. Compensation varies widely, and some internships are unpaid, which creates a financial barrier for career changers without savings.

Internships also limit your exposure to the full range of bioinformatics work. You work on projects assigned by the host organization, which may not match your specific interests. The experience is valuable, but it is narrow compared to the variety you might encounter in freelancing.

How to Pursue an Internship

Identify target organizations that hire interns for bioinformatics work. University research labs, government agencies, nonprofit research institutes, and biotechnology companies all offer internship programs. The National Science Foundation careers page provides examples of the types of scientific and technical work conducted within a federal research organization, which can help you understand what an internship in that setting might involve.

Prepare application materials that emphasize transferable skills. If you are moving from a biology laboratory career, highlight your experience with experimental design and data interpretation. If you are moving from a software career, highlight your programming projects and your ability to learn new domains quickly.

Apply early. Many internship programs have application deadlines several months before the start date. Track deadlines in a spreadsheet and submit complete applications before the cutoff.

Freelancing: Income and Portfolio Control

Freelancing offers immediate income and full control over your projects, but it requires existing skills and self-discipline.

What Freelancing Offers

As a freelance bioinformatics professional, you contract with clients to complete specific deliverables. These might include analyzing sequencing data, writing custom analysis scripts, building data visualization dashboards, or documenting analysis pipelines. The O*NET OnLine database describes the analytical and technical tasks common in bioinformatics work, which gives you a sense of the services you might offer.

The primary advantage is financial. You bill for completed work, and your income scales with the number of projects you complete. For a career changer with existing programming skills, freelancing can generate income while you build bioinformatics-specific experience.

Freelancing also builds a portfolio. Each completed project becomes evidence of your ability to deliver results. When you later apply for full-time positions, you can point to specific projects, describe the problem you solved, and show the output you produced. This portfolio can be more persuasive than an internship reference because it demonstrates independent work.

Limitations of Freelancing

Freelancing lacks structure. You must find your own clients, negotiate your own rates, and manage your own deadlines. There is no supervisor to correct your methods or explain field standards. For a career changer who is still learning bioinformatics, this can lead to developing bad habits or producing work that does not meet professional standards.

Income is irregular. You may have months with multiple projects and months with none. The Occupational Outlook Handbook notes that self-employment involves variability in earnings and requires managing your own business operations. You must budget for slow periods and handle administrative tasks such as invoicing, taxes, and client communication.

Freelancing also carries liability. If you deliver analysis that contains errors, the client may suffer consequences, and your reputation may be damaged. Without the oversight of an experienced supervisor, you bear full responsibility for the quality of your work.

How to Start Freelancing

Begin with projects you can complete successfully. Offer services within your current skill range instead of accepting work that requires skills you have not yet developed. A failed project damages your reputation and may create professional liability.

Build a portfolio before seeking clients. Complete sample analyses on public datasets and publish the results on a personal website or code repository. This gives potential clients evidence of your capabilities.

Set clear scopes of work for each project. Define the deliverables, the timeline, and the payment terms in writing before starting. This protects both you and the client and reduces the risk of disputes.

Volunteering: Low-Risk Exploration and Community Connection

Volunteering provides exposure to bioinformatics work without financial commitment, making it a useful option for career changers who need to test the field.

What Volunteering Offers

Volunteer positions in bioinformatics-related work exist in several settings. Academic labs sometimes accept volunteers for data organization, literature reviews, or basic analysis tasks. Nonprofit organizations focused on health research or science education may need help with data management. Professional societies may seek volunteers for committee work or event support.

The American Society for Microbiology career resources describe how professional involvement and service activities contribute to career development by building visibility and connections. Volunteering in a bioinformatics context gives you direct exposure to the tools, workflows, and problems of the field while connecting you with people who work in it.

For a career changer, the main value is confirmation. You can learn whether bioinformatics work matches your expectations before investing in formal training or turning down income. The cost is your time, and the risk is low.

Limitations of Volunteering

Volunteering provides no income. If you need to support yourself during your career transition, volunteering cannot be your primary activity. It also provides less structured training than an internship. You may receive minimal supervision and be assigned tasks that do not build the skills you need.

Volunteer work may not carry the same career signal as an internship. Employers may view volunteer experience as less rigorous than a formal internship, particularly if the volunteer work was not supervised by a qualified professional.

How to Volunteer Effectively

Choose volunteer opportunities that align with your career goals. If you want to work in academic research, volunteer in a research lab. If you want to work in public health, volunteer with a health-focused nonprofit. The relevance of the experience matters more than the number of hours you contribute.

Treat volunteer work with the same professionalism as paid work. Show up on time, complete assigned tasks, and communicate clearly. The people you volunteer with may become references or sources of job leads.

Set a time limit for volunteering. Decide in advance how many months you will volunteer before reassessing your path. This prevents volunteering from becoming a comfortable way to avoid making a decision about your career.

Side Projects: The Fourth Option

Side projects deserve consideration alongside the three main pathways. A side project is self-directed work that you initiate and complete on your own time. It can complement any of the other pathways or serve as a standalone strategy.

What Side Projects Offer

A side project demonstrates initiative and technical capability. You identify a problem, design a solution, and complete the work without external direction. The O*NET OnLine database describes the analytical and problem-solving skills used in bioinformatics roles, and a completed side project provides concrete evidence of these skills.

Side projects are also free. You can use public datasets, open-source tools, and free computing resources to build a portfolio. This makes them accessible to career changers with limited financial resources.

How Side Projects Fit With Other Pathways

Side projects can strengthen an internship application by showing that you have already engaged with bioinformatics independently. They can provide portfolio material that helps you win freelance clients. They can demonstrate commitment when you apply for volunteer positions.

Side projects can also serve as a primary strategy if your circumstances prevent internships, freelancing, or volunteering. A strong portfolio of completed projects may be sufficient to demonstrate competence to employers, particularly for roles that emphasize practical skills over formal credentials.

Limitations of Side Projects

Side projects lack external validation. Without a supervisor or client evaluating your work, you may develop methods that do not meet professional standards. The work may also be unfocused, addressing problems that interest you instead of problems that employers value.

Side projects also require self-motivation. Without deadlines or external expectations, many people struggle to complete projects. If you choose this path, set specific goals and timelines for yourself.

Building a Decision Matrix

A decision matrix helps you compare the pathways systematically against your personal circumstances. Create a table with the four options as rows and your evaluation criteria as columns.

Criteria to Include

Use the following criteria, adjusted for your situation:

• Time available per week
• Financial runway in months
• Current skill level in programming
• Current skill level in biology
• Need for structured feedback
• Need for income
• Target role type
• Geographic constraints

Scoring the Options

For each criterion, rate how well each pathway fits on a scale of one to five. A score of five means the pathway strongly fits your situation. A score of one means it does not fit.

For example, if you have limited financial runway, freelancing scores high on income potential while volunteering scores low. If you need structured feedback, internships score high while side projects score low.

Sum the scores for each pathway. The highest total suggests the pathway most aligned with your current situation. This is a decision aid, not a detailed explanation. Your circumstances will change, and you can revisit the matrix as they do.

Revisiting the Matrix

Reevaluate your decision every three months. Your skills will improve, your financial situation may change, and your understanding of the field will deepen. A pathway that did not fit three months ago may now be viable.

Combining Pathways

The four options are not mutually exclusive. Many career changers combine them to address different needs simultaneously.

Internship Plus Side Project

An internship provides structure and supervision while a side project allows you to explore a specific interest in depth. The side project can also demonstrate initiative to your internship supervisor, who may become a reference or offer a full-time position.

Freelancing Plus Volunteering

Freelancing provides income while volunteering provides structured exposure to a field you want to enter. The volunteer work can also generate client referrals or professional connections that lead to paid projects.

Volunteering Plus Side Project

Volunteering provides access to real data and real problems while a side project allows you to develop skills in a focused way. The volunteer work may also provide feedback on your side project from experienced professionals.

Sequencing Your Pathways

Consider the order of your activities. A common sequence is to volunteer or complete a side project first to confirm interest, then pursue an internship to build structured skills, then freelance to generate income while seeking full-time employment. This sequence manages risk by testing the field before making larger commitments.

Records and Measurements

Track your progress regardless of which pathway you choose. Records help you evaluate whether your strategy is working and provide material for future job applications.

What to Record

Maintain a log of the following:

• Skills developed, with specific examples of tasks completed
• Projects completed, with descriptions of the problem and your solution
• People met, with their names, roles, and contact information
• Hours invested in each activity
• Income earned or expenses incurred
• Feedback received from supervisors, clients, or colleagues

How to Use Your Records

Review your records monthly to assess progress. Are you developing the skills you need? Are you building the network you need? Are you generating the income you need?

Use your records to update your resume and portfolio. Specific examples of completed work are more persuasive than general descriptions of your abilities.

Common Failure Patterns

Career changers pursuing bioinformatics experience encounter predictable problems. Recognizing these patterns helps you avoid them.

Analysis Paralysis

Some career changers spend months comparing options without choosing one. The decision matrix helps here. Set a deadline for your decision and commit to a pathway, even if it is not perfect. You can change course later.

Overinvestment in Preparation

Some career changers delay real experience while completing courses, tutorials, and certifications. These activities have value, but they do not substitute for actual work. Start a project, volunteer, or apply for an internship even if you do not feel ready.

Underpricing Freelance Work

New freelancers often charge too little to attract clients. This creates financial pressure and signals low quality. Research market rates for the services you offer and price accordingly.

Accepting Unstructured Volunteer Work

Some volunteer positions provide no supervision and no skill development. You may spend months doing data entry without learning anything relevant to bioinformatics. Choose volunteer positions that involve meaningful work and some form of feedback.

Ignoring Networking

Career changers often focus on skill development and neglect relationship building. The American Society for Microbiology career resources emphasize the importance of professional connections in career advancement. Attend events, introduce yourself to people in the field, and maintain contact with the people you meet.

Professional Escalation Criteria

Some situations require professional help beyond what this comparison can provide.

When to Consult a Career Counselor

If you have spent six months or more unable to choose a pathway or make progress, a career counselor can help you clarify your goals and identify obstacles. Many universities offer career counseling to alumni, and professional career counselors work with career changers.

When to Seek Mentorship

If you are unsure whether your skills meet professional standards, seek feedback from someone working in bioinformatics. A mentor can review your work, advise on your pathway choice, and connect you to opportunities. The National Institutes of Health Office of Intramural Training and Education describes mentoring as a core component of research training, and this principle applies to career changers as well.

When to Reconsider Your Target Role

If you have pursued experience for a year or more without progress toward your target role, reconsider whether the role is realistic. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides information about education requirements and job outlook for various occupations. Compare your qualifications to the requirements for your target role and adjust your plan accordingly.

Safety and Regulatory Context

Bioinformatics work involves data handling and analysis instead of physical laboratory work, but it carries professional and ethical responsibilities.

Data Privacy and Security

Bioinformatics projects often involve sensitive data, including human health information. If you work with such data, you must follow applicable privacy regulations and institutional policies. The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes the work settings and conditions for occupations that handle sensitive information, and the same principles apply to bioinformatics work.

Professional Responsibility

Your analysis may inform research conclusions, medical decisions, or public policy. Errors can have serious consequences. Maintain rigorous quality control practices, document your methods, and seek review of your work when possible.

Jurisdiction-Specific Requirements

Regulations governing data handling and professional practice vary by jurisdiction. If you work with data from human subjects, understand the requirements that apply to your location and the location of the data. When in doubt, consult with the organization that provided the data or a qualified professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to transition into bioinformatics from another field?

The timeline depends on your starting skills and chosen pathway. A structured internship typically lasts 10 to 12 weeks and can provide foundational experience. A freelance portfolio may take several months of part-time work to build. The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes the education and training requirements for related occupations, which can help you estimate the overall timeline for your target role.

Can I do bioinformatics freelancing without a degree in biology?

Yes, if you have strong programming and data analysis skills. Many bioinformatics tasks involve data processing, statistical analysis, and software development that do not require deep biological knowledge. However, you will need to learn enough biology to interpret results correctly. The O*NET OnLine database describes the knowledge areas used in bioinformatics occupations, including biology and computer science.

Is an unpaid internship worth it for a career changer?

An unpaid internship can be worth it if it provides structured training, mentorship, and institutional credibility that you cannot obtain otherwise. It is not worth it if the work is menial or unsupervised. Calculate the financial cost of unpaid time and compare it to the expected benefit in skills and connections.

How do I find volunteer opportunities in bioinformatics?

Look for academic labs, nonprofit research organizations, and professional societies that accept volunteers. The American Society for Microbiology career resources describe professional involvement opportunities that can connect you to the field. Contact organizations directly and propose specific ways you can contribute.

What should I include in a bioinformatics portfolio?

Include completed projects that demonstrate your skills. For each project, describe the problem, your approach, the tools you used, and the outcome. Include code repositories, visualizations, and written summaries. The O*NET OnLine database describes the analytical and technical skills used in bioinformatics work, which can guide the types of projects you include.

How much can I earn as a freelance bioinformatics professional?

Earnings vary widely based on your skills, experience, and client base. The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides wage information for related occupations, which can give you a sense of the earning potential in the field. Freelance income is irregular and depends on your ability to find and retain clients.

Should I pursue a graduate degree instead of an internship?

A graduate degree provides formal credentials and deep training, but it requires a significant investment of time and money. An internship provides practical experience more quickly and at lower cost. The Occupational Outlook Handbook describes the education requirements for various occupations, which can help you determine whether a graduate degree is necessary for your target role.

How do I explain a career change to bioinformatics in a job interview?

Focus on your transferable skills and your demonstrated commitment to the field. Describe the projects you have completed, the skills you have developed, and the reasons you are making the change. The National Science Foundation careers page provides examples of the diverse backgrounds that contribute to scientific work, which can help you frame your own transition positively.

Using the Evidence

Related Articles

• Bioinformatics vs Data Science: Which Career Is Right for You?
• Bioinformatics Internships: Building Experience Before a Full-Time Role
• Bioinformatics Careers in Industry vs Academia: Which Path Is Right for You?
• Bioinformatics vs Computational Biology: Which Degree Path Is Right for You?
• Bioinformatics vs Biostatistics: Which Career Fits You?

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.