What’s your name?
Hannah Nickerson, Plant Engineer/Industrial Engineer in Operations Manufacturing
How long have you worked at AstraZeneca?
5.5 years
What do you like most about your job?
The freedom to combine technical know-how with creative problem-solving.
What do you like to do when you aren’t working?
Reading, crafting, crosswords, exploring downtown Frederick’s food scene, outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and snowboarding
Fun fact about you that people may not know?
I was raised in West Virginia on a small farm
Do you have pets and/or family?
I have one cat, Merle, who is 3 years old. I have a large family- my reunions have been known to exceed 60 people! We get together every year to pick crabs and play horseshoes.
What’s your work/life balance experience been at AZ?
As far as full-time jobs go, the culture at my plant makes it easy to maintain a work/life balance that enables me to be my best self at work and at home.
How do you network with other women both inside and outside of AZ?
At work I actively try to empower women and encourage them to speak up in meetings by asking for their opinions. I also am part of the Network of Women ERG- we put on events, host discussion forums, and in general are each other’s biggest fans! Outside of work I volunteer for Women to Women networking to help mobilize the next women leaders. Everyone has their own unique skills set so I am always looking for that ‘potential’ in others, whether male, female, or other.
What would you like other women to know about joining AZ as a new employee?
AZ does a great job of connecting you with the patient. They strive to give employees great benefits to maintain health and wellness, and proper work-life balance. If you enjoy science, working for AZ is very fulfilling and there are always opportunities to learn more about the business.
How do you feel AstraZeneca best supports your career as a female employee?
I have mentors which help me achieve my development goals. I also recognize the effort AZ puts into having women in leadership positions. Over recent years the company has embraced “diversity and inclusion” and hosts events which spark a lot of awareness and great discussions around unconscious bias, ultimately leading to a stronger work culture for people of all genders, races, and backgrounds, and thus a stronger company.
