Gouri’s Journey to a Career in Cancer Trials in Ireland

Gouri Balote is a Clinical Trials Associate at Cancer Trials Ireland , currently based in Dublin. She completed her Master’s in Biotechnology and Business at University College Dublin and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Savitribai Phule Pune University. At her company, she supports the clinical operations team in managing documentation, ethics submissions, site coordination, and regulatory compliance, thereby enabling the faster and safer delivery of new treatments to patients.

Q. Tell us about your background. 

I'm from Mumbai, India. I’ve been interested in the pharmaceutical world ever since I was a kid. I was always fascinated by how medicines work, not so much from a doctor’s perspective, but more about the science behind drugs, their formulation, and their effects on the body. So, when I finished high school, I chose to study pharmaceutical sciences for my undergraduate degree.

Q. Why did you choose to study abroad, and why Ireland specifically?

During my undergrad, I realised that while I liked the subject, research labs weren’t really for me. I wanted something that allowed me to combine my medical knowledge with the business side of things, something more aligned with consulting or strategic roles. That’s when I started looking for Master’s programs that offered a mix of science and business. Biotechnology and Business felt like the perfect blend. I considered other options like Pharmaceutical Sciences, but most of them were very niche or heavily lab-oriented, and I wanted broader exposure.

Ireland stood out to me for a couple of reasons. First, it’s home to many top pharmaceutical and biotech companies, so I knew the job market here was promising. Second, the course at UCD matched my goals; it offered a mix of technical and business subjects. One of the key reasons many students choose Ireland, including me, is because of how straightforward the visa and immigration process is. Compared to other countries, it's relatively easy to get admitted if you have a good academic background. Plus, with only a few top universities like University College Dublin (UCD) and Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the application process is a lot more focused.

Q. What was your experience like at UCD

When I arrived, UCD had already arranged several events, freshers' week, networking fairs, and social mixers, where I could meet students from different disciplines. I’ve always been someone who enjoys connecting with people, so I also reached out to students via LinkedIn and got involved in campus activities. I was elected as a class representative and later as a board member of the Science Start program. One that impressed me was the dedicated support they offer for career development. UCD allows students to book one-on-one sessions with experts who review their CV and cover letter. They’ll not only give feedback but also tailor your documents for specific job roles. It’s a free resource, and it helped me a lot as someone new to the Irish job market.

The faculty was also very supportive and helpful; one of my course directors, Antonio Garzón-Vico, played a significant role in guiding me. I would regularly reach out to them whenever I was applying for roles. Sometimes, I’d get responses from employers saying my module didn’t align with the job requirements or that the role was contractual, and as a student, I wasn't always sure whether it was worth pursuing. I’d go to my professors for advice, and they’d help me figure it out.

I even asked Professor Antonio directly if I should go ahead with an internship opportunity, and he immediately encouraged me to go for it. He didn’t just stop there; he continued to check in with me later, asking how the internship was going and whether I had been promoted.

Q. Can you walk us through how you landed your job? What was that journey like?

When I first arrived in Ireland, I quickly realised that understanding the job market is crucial, and networking is everything. LinkedIn became my go-to tool. I actively looked up companies, alumni, and hiring managers relevant to my course and UCD background. I reached out to them, built connections, and consistently followed up. Cold messaging and follow-ups became part of my routine. UCD also hosted company fairs on campus, which were incredibly useful. I met employers and alumni there, connected with them on LinkedIn afterward, and followed up for potential opportunities and referrals. That’s actually how I got in touch with someone from Cancer Trials Ireland, an alumnus who had done the same course as me two years earlier. I asked him about internships at the company, and initially reached out in March. I kept following up every month until I finally got the internship in August. It was a long process, but persistence paid off.

I interned from August to December, and once I’d proven myself, the team offered me a full-time role. A few months later, I was promoted to Clinical Trial Associate.

Q. What’s your advice for students trying to secure a job post-graduation?

Make LinkedIn your best friend. Network, cold message, follow up, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Stalk people’s profiles, check where alumni from your course are working, look at how they started their careers, and learn from their paths. Some companies don’t even post jobs on LinkedIn; they only post on their websites. But to even discover those companies, you need to find the people who work there first.

And finally, don’t just message people for referrals, build honest conversations. Try to understand their journey, the hiring process, and what roles might be a good fit for you. That kind of effort builds meaningful connections, and in my case, it’s what helped me land both an internship and a full-time job.