For a science student at a US university, how is a biotech startup internship different from a life science consulting role?

At a startup, a science graduate almost always starts in the lab as a research associate. Consulting exposure comes later, if at all. At a consulting firm, analytical and client-facing work starts from day one.

• Startups give broader business exposure because smaller teams mean you hear more decisions being made.
• Consulting builds structured problem-framing and communication skills that are harder to develop in a startup environment.
• A large, systematised firm internship often means shadowing rather than doing, it still belongs on the CV, but set expectations accordingly.