Pfizer offers many paths to a rewarding career
Pfizer Consumer Healthcare follows many routes to attract its next generation of business leaders. As one of the largest over-the-counter healthcare companies in the world, with a global footprint in more than 90 countries, they have ample opportunities.
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To appeal to millennials and groom them as the next generation of talent, PCH leverages grassroots methods, including sourcing through social platforms and references, according to Lisa Paley, chief customer officer.
In addition, the company has well-thought-out summer work programs and internships that offer participants visibility and exposure to different parts of Pfizer on a short-term basis. This allows them to network with other students and PCH colleagues. Recent participants shared their appreciation that they were given a chance to really get involved in the company and that they felt they were trusted as members of the team.
“At our Richmond R&D site, we are partnering with universities in new ways to ensure there is a bridge to this new generation of technical talent, including career days sponsored by our Women’s Leadership Program,” Paley added.
Employees are developed through a balance of formal training and skill-teaching fused with informal opportunities to quickly learn and grow through different work experiences. “Many take advantage of our mentoring program,” Paley said. “We pride ourselves on the access colleagues have to network with and learn from senior leaders early in their careers.”
PCH has an impressive retention rate attributed to the focus on overall engagement and efforts to foster an environment to enhance the company’s reputation as an engaging place to work. The features encompass everything from casual dress Mondays and Fridays to internal networking events. This empowers employees to have a voice and make a difference — something that is important to the millennial generation. Paley added that PCH fosters a culture of recognition through internal meeting venues and social platforms.
Passion is a word linked to the new workforce, and opportunities to be involved abound. “We create opportunities for colleagues to pursue their passions, practice creativity and participate in extra- curricular activities,” said Paley, citing such examples as volunteer days and co-ed sports teams.
PCH has an entire toolkit available and readily accessible to help its employees change and adapt to ever-changing business conditions. Among those to help empower and inform colleagues are digital tools, such as a robust online learning center and social forums, colleague resource groups and guest speakers providing an external perspective. These experts also help PCH stay abreast of emerging and future trends.
The characteristics of the emerging workforce present many benefits, Paley said. “Our biggest opportunity is to inspire this next generation of colleagues — show the higher purpose of healthcare companies to help people live healthier lives.” She added, “we also must find ways to unlock the entrepreneurialism in our colleagues so we can compete with startups.” The new generation tends to prefer input and immediate feedback more than predecessors, she noted, prompting the need to find a way to balance the needs of current and incoming talent by being adaptive and recognizing motivators.
“One of the challenges we have is to attract this ‘digital first’ generation — and soon ‘digital only’ generation — all while continuing to attract and successfully drive collaboration with other generations of talent,” she said.
Pfizer colleagues share a common passion for working in intellectually challenging environments to make the world a healthier place — no matter what stage in their career path.