I Got Hired: Lewis

Posted on: 28 October 2024 by Ruby O'Sullivan in Class of 2023

Lewis Rimmer is a Class of 2023 MBiolSci graduate who is now on the Global Operations Graduate Programme as a Digital Programme Manager at AstraZeneca.

How did you hear about your role and decide to apply for it?

I had always been interested in working for AstraZeneca after my degree, so I found the dates for application on their website.

My career goal was to work in science or for a pharmaceutical company within the north-west. AstraZeneca and the Operations Graduate Programme ticked all those boxes.            

How did you get to where you are now?

I built up various experiences through sports and volunteering. Alongside this, I completed a pharmacy internship during my degree. This gave me real life contacts to the work that AstraZeneca does.

I also developed a network of professionals that work in the pharmaceutical industry. The chats I had with these people also gave me a background to the industry and what opportunities there may be.

Your favourite experience as part of your role?

Being able to go into the pharmaceutical manufacturing sites and witness the impact that your work is having.                

The most challenging part of your graduate journey?

For me, it was adapting to the corporate world and maintaining confidence in times of doubt.

Top 3 Tips for current students and graduates:

  1. Be open-minded to the potential roles that you can get after your degree - There are plenty of opportunities outside of academia if you look early and well enough.

  2. Ensure that you do your research before applying for roles. A great way is to reach out to professionals on LinkedIn in industries that interest you or work for a companies that appeal.

  3. Make sure that you have enough experiences that prove your skills enough to talk about at interview. These don’t have to be formal internships. Good examples are sports clubs or volunteering.                                                                                                                                                          

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