On-site company visits (known as Job Treks) are exciting for us at Yale’s Office of Career Strategy (OCS). These events provide a platform for graduate students and postdocs to meet with employers and gain a deeper understanding of various industries and companies. Our past Job Treks have typically consisted of site tours, company overviews, discussions with employees about career diversity, and networking sessions.
On Wednesday March 27, a group of Yale PhD students boarded a bus at 12:30 PM for a one-hour journey to Boehringer Ingelheim (BI). Upon arrival, we were greeted by staff members who were eager to introduce us to the workings of their organization. The afternoon began with presentations from the Director of Scientific Excellence and Engagement and the Director of Strategic Research Relationships. They provided us with insights into the company’s mission, its cutting-edge research activities, and the diverse products they develop. These talks were enlightening and offered us a clear picture of potential career paths at Boehringer Ingelheim.
The diverse range of career paths at BI reflects its status as a global leader in pharmaceutical and healthcare product development, each encompassing a variety of specializations. There are opportunities ranging from clinical development, where teams work on creating and testing new drugs, to more specialized roles dealing with diseases such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. There are also positions in fields like pulmonary fibrosis, immunology, and diabetes management, which involve both research and the application of new treatments.
Following the introductions, we transitioned into the career panel session, which have been integral to the success of past OCS Job Treks. The panel included a range of speakers such as a postdoctoral fellow who discussed the BI postdoctoral program, and executive directors, associate directors, principal scientists, and other leaders from various departments including Cancer Immunology, Immunology and Respiratory Diseases, Cardiometabolic Diseases, Computational Biology, and External Alternative CMC Development. Each panelist shared details about their roles, their career journeys, and the opportunities and challenges they face in their fields. This session was particularly valuable as it allowed Yale PhD students to ask direct questions and receive advice relevant to their own career interests.
BI is heavily invested in innovation, opening up career opportunities in research and development, aiming at scientific breakthroughs and the implementation of new healthcare solutions. The company values interdisciplinary collaboration and partnership, which creates roles in corporate management, regulatory affairs, and various support services that ensure the company’s smooth operation and compliance with health regulations.
Visit the OCS STEM PhD Pathways website for more information on career pathways! This OCS job trek was led by McDougal Career Fellows in Yale’s Office of Career Strategy, Oluwatobi Oso (PhD candidate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology) and AJ Simon (PhD candidate in Radiology and Biomedical Imaging).
