I heard a lot about AstraZeneca during my university years, as many former students with the same education as mine had already started their careers at AstraZeneca. Some started their careers as graduates, others in a specific role. When I was getting closer to graduation, I was feeling a bit lost not knowing what I would enjoy doing at work. Therefore, the LUMINI Operation Graduate Programme seemed like the perfect way to launch my career, allowing me to discover more about myself in a professional setting – what I enjoy doing and where I can contribute the most.
What I really liked about the programme was the opportunity to find and choose placements based on our own individual interests. We also had a chance to enhance and tailor the programme the way we wanted by proposing ideas for various activities. In other words, we had the ability to make an impact and shape the programme to best suit ourselves which was highly appreciated!
I had three different eight-months placement during the two-year programme. In my first placement, I was a Process Engineer responsible for two production lines at our Respiratory production site where we are producing medicines that are being used with inhalers. My main task was to support the production, investigate deviations and to work with improvements on these production lines.
During my second placement, I worked as a Digital Project Manager leading different digital projects together with IT and multiple functions in the business to accelerate digital initiatives across the organisation. The projects varied, it could be at an early stage, so called pre-studies and proof of concepts, but also projects where we were implementing new digital solutions.
My last placement as a Demand Planner was within one of our global functions where I had the responsibility for all brands in Hungary and Bulgaria, making sure we had sufficient stock levels and handling new launches. Additionally, I was leading a global supply chain project where we were creating a new process to improve our supply chain.
After the programme ended, I was offered a role as Supply Chain project Manager. In this role I am leading supply chain projects at our site called Sweden Biomanufacturing Center, where we’re producing biological medicines. In my projects, we’re looking at improvements to our supply chain at site, but also globally. This could for instance be projects where we’re implementing new suppliers of different material in the manufacturing.
AstraZeneca is a large company, and through the graduate programme and your placements, you automatically establish new contacts across various parts of the organisation. For example, at my third placement, I gained global exposure by working within a global function. Even though I was based in Sweden, I worked with colleagues from all over the world and I had a chance to learn more about their country and culture, which was really fun!
AstraZeneca is a great place to work. For instance, we are focusing on inclusion and diversity within the company, but we are also caring about the world through environmental protection and access to healthcare as integral parts of our sustainability focus. But what motivates me the most is going to work every morning, knowing that what I’m doing makes a difference for patients all over the world.
