Hi, I'm a recent grad with a stats background applying to the BMS digital and data science rotational program. I've seen their website say they do 'behavioral and case-based' interviews but that could mean almost anything.
Did anyone go through this specific program or anything similar at BMS recently? I want to know: how technical is the technical screen? Are they expecting SQL or Python coding, or more like a data analysis case? And how much do they weight mission/values stuff vs. actual skills?
I'm also a little nervous because I have no pharma experience. Is that an automatic disadvantage or do they understand that for new grads?
4 replies
analyst_ana
I did a BMS data internship a couple years back. For entry-level stuff they're not expecting you to know drug development cold. What they DO look for is curiosity about the domain and whether you can explain technical concepts clearly to non-technical folks. That was the vibe in my panel. The SQL was real but not brutal.
jp_newgrad
Really helpful, thank you. 'Explain technical to non-technical' is basically my whole thesis defense experience so that's good to hear. Do you remember if they asked you to write SQL live or was it more like a take-home?
analyst_ana
Live, but it was pretty readable. Think join + group by + maybe a window function. Nothing you wouldn't have seen in a basic data analyst prep set.
sam_recovering
No pharma experience as a new grad is not a red flag at BMS. They recruit heavily from non-pharma schools. The rotational programs are explicitly designed to train. Lead with curiosity and any research exposure you have, even undergrad lab stuff.