Global Operations Graduate Associate Review

The Global Operations Graduate Programme in AstraZeneca was a fantastic experience over the last 3 years, providing great development roles, exposure to senior management, real responsibility from Day 1 and fantastic opportunities to kick-start a career in an outstanding global company. AstraZeneca has been a very inclusive, diverse and inspiring company to work at which I have thoroughly enjoyed and recommend this opportunity to all fresh university graduates.

I was treated as an equal, valuable and needed team member from Day 1 until the very end of the graduate programme. This programme also provides enhanced opportunities to connect with senior leaders in the company, rotate between different business units to gain broad learning and experience, and build a very wide network of colleagues and friends.

The AstraZeneca graduate programme provides great support for personal development through large varienty of job rotation options, formal and informal mentorship by senior leaders, international work experience, internal and external training courses, career planning and transitioning workshops, guidance as needed throughout the three years of the programme. With all this support and guidance, the programme still remains flexible enough to allow graduates to tailor their journey in the firm.

The graduate programme allowed me to take on fantastic challenging roles very early in by career that really kick-started my development and journey in the industry. I felt having the full control over my work-life balance and was able to be stretched in my role to maximise development and opportunities to grow.

I started in my field of expertise at the start and was able to grow into different areas of the business rapidly and very early on in my career, by the end of the programme giving me a chance to take on a role with large area of accountability. Providing opportunities for roles and projects with real responsibility was very strong benefit of this graduate programme.

During my three years in the graduate programme I developed and grew a lot as a professional but also personally, it assisted me enormously to develop my skills as a leader in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond. The company helped me also to acquire new skills and professional certifications to set me up for success in the future.

The general atmosphere in the office was very inclusive and open, with friendly colleagues. Also, the working in AstraZeneca is very inspiring and motivating because of challenging and stretching targets to achieve with team in the company to always play to win and push the boundaries of science. I was lucky to meet so many great colleagues who have become my friends.

The graduate programme was well organised and planned out, providing great support for development and decision-making about my career. It consisted of three 8 month long rotations and one year of consolidation role. Throughout the programme there were clear checkpoints for support and development. The programme ensured great support also when relocating for international assignments.

I have been very lucky to have joined AstraZeneca as it has invested in my development enormously over the last three years with fantastic job roles with rapidly increasing area of accountability, internal and external training courses and certifications, opportunity to go on multiple international work assignments, attend business meetings and outings in the UK and internationally around the globe.

The AstraZeneca Global Operations Graduate Programme really helped me to kick-start my career in the pharmaceutical industry and enabled me to get a fantastic job offer in the company after the programme. Also, the programme has set me up for success with future career path in the company by enabling me to be included in future leaders talent pipeline.

Our class of 2015 in the graduate programme was very global. The graduate programme allowed us to come together at the start and mid way through to build strong relationships and network. That made a huge difference as we had great partnership to support each other throughout the journey. Also, there were social networks with other young professionals and with graduates from other year groups.

Throughout the graduate programme I was lucky to first live in the North West of the United Kingdom near Manchester, thereafter at the east coast of the United Stated near Philadelphia, and also in Shanghai, China. The living and socialising costs varied between the locations but the salary and support package was large enough to support comfortable lifestyle and freedom to have fun.

Throughout the graduate programme I was lucky to first live in the North West of the United Kingdom near Manchester, thereafter at the east coast of the United Stated near Philadelphia, and also in Shanghai, China. The nightlife varied a lot between these locations. It was absolutely awesome in Shanghai for sure! Manchester offered some great options for social activities too and so did Philadelphia

There were many opportunities such as volunteering, team days, graduate network socialising activities, many colleagues having great relationships and friendships also outside of work. The company has employee support offers for activities in the local area with discount offers and promotions, also celebrations as a company for end of the year event.