Speaker- Chris Sinclair, Sr. Manager, Business Excellence, Abbott
- Intersection of Science and Business
The company Abbott was founded in 1880 by Dr. Wallace Abbott. Currently Abbott is a large company that specializes in pharmaceuticals. There are a few main departments within Abbott, such as Animal Health, Diabetes Cures, Diagnostics, Molecular, Nutrition, Vascular, and Pharmaceuticals (makes up over half the company). There are more than 700 scientists and researches that work for Abbott, all over the world. The development is the main focus of Abbott. The time line to make a drug, from start to finish, is a long time; however Abbott is a part of every step. Drug discovery and preclinical steps take about 3-6 years. Clinical trials have three different phases, taking 6-7 years to complete. FDA review and large scale manufacturing of the drug takes ½-2 years.
Advice to Future Grads - Find hands on learning opportunities- see if university or department offers opportunities that allow you to try working in your field
- Socialize online beyond Facebook- your online reputation can be seen by future employers
- Become more than just a resume
- Never waste a summer
- Take classes outside of your major- this can give you real-world knowledge that employers will appreciate
- Get a part time job in the field of your interest
- Meet people through networking
- Know now to talk about yourself- be confident in your responses and don’t be afraid to say what you want to say
- Nail the job interview process- practice answers, mock interviews, talk to a professional
- Be open- explore different industries you could work in