Meet our PDPs
Ipek, Management
Development Program
What excited you about Abbott's Professional Development Program
(PDP)?
There were two major distinctive qualities of Abbott's Management
Development Program (MDP) that excited me the most: global career prospects and
Abbott itself as a company. After completing my MBA, my goal was to start a
career in marketing with a global focus that would provide diverse
opportunities to gain management experience across different divisions and
geographies. Designing my rotations around this goal made MDP a unique
experience for me. Second was Abbott itself as a company, and how it truly
differentiated itself from other healthcare corporations - The products that
make true impact in people's lives, the diverse business portfolio Abbott has,
ranging from Nutrition to Animal Health, and the global business model that
Abbott embraces. Besides, I created my own major during MBA on Corporate Social
Responsibility, and working for a company with high social values and true
dedication to corporate citizenship was a major priority for me - that's also
why I chose to join Abbott.
Describe a project or role you have held during your rotations so far.
After doing two rotations in the U.S. in different commercial roles within
Abbott, I have taken an international role in Europe for my current rotation. I
am currently based in the UK, and I'm leading the commercial assessment of a
new business opportunity for Abbott Nutrition International's Europe/Canada
Area as a strategic development manager. In this role, I'm driving the
development of Europe/Canada Area strategy for the pediatric nutrition
business, and I have the opportunity to work closely with Abbott's European
affiliates and senior management to make an impact on the market acceleration
in Europe.
How do you think Abbott's Professional Development Program will help you
accomplish your long-range career goals?
My long term career goal is to pursue a global management career in
Marketing/Strategic Business Development in different healthcare businesses.
Abbott's MDP Program helps me build a strong foundation to achieve my goal by
exposing me to different businesses and business models within Abbott, as well
as unique global opportunities to learn the business from headquarters to the
local affiliates. I believe working cross-functionally with different parts of
the organization, ranging from R&D to regulatory teams, will help me become
a more impactful leader in the organization by understanding how different
pieces fit together to work towards a mutual commercial goal - which is
critical for a business leader.
Edwin, Operations
Professional Development Program
What excited you about Abbott's Professional Development Program
(PDP)?
I always knew I wanted a job in a flexible, fast-paced environment with
challenging assignments. I was also sure I wanted to work for a company that
made a positive impact on people. However, how I came to the program had little
to do with me chasing the right company. I was presenting to Abbott as part of
the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers student chapter of University of
Puerto Rico Mayaguez, and upon finishing the presentation I received an offer
to interview for the Internship Program. That night, I went home and read about
Abbott and its Professional Development Program. After that, interviewing and
targeting Abbott as a potential company to work for sounded like the right
thing to do.
Describe a project or role you have held during your rotations so far.
As a PDP, I worked as an engineer in the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, but
the one rotation that has given me the most rewards has been the one I'm
currently in: Abbott Diagnostics Division (ADD) distribution supervisor. With
this role I've been able to interact with a very diverse group of people, from
the employees on the floor, to the Engineering, Customs, Planning, Logistics
and Transportation groups. Working actively for ADD's supply chain efforts
provided me with a better understanding of the business while allowing me to
bring my interpersonal skills to the table, making an impact on our people and
those we serve.
How do you think Abbott's Professional Development Program will help you
accomplish your long-range career goals?
The program has provided me with one tool that I'm sure will be the
cornerstone to every goal I set in the future: adaptability. Having to change
environments every six months allowed me to adapt at a faster pace than any
other entry-level employee. It also taught me to take initiative in order to
catch up on everything that I needed to learn for that specific role. In
general, the program provided guidance and the necessary tools to gain
experience in a fast-paced environment. Ultimately, this will prepare me to
begin in a position after the program with a broader perspective of the
business and a clear mindset for my career ahead.
Caroline, Finance
Professional Development Program
What excited you about Abbott's Professional Development Program (PDP)
I was attracted to the Finance Professional Development Program (FPDP)
because of the opportunities it provides to recent college graduates. The FPDP
allows its members to gain experience across functional areas in accounting and
finance, as well as across the diversified businesses within Abbott. By
learning as much as possible in each rotation, FPDP members are able to
determine which roles within Abbott they want to pursue upon graduation.
Furthermore, the FPDP delivers unlimited opportunities to network and establish
relationships during each rotation. By the end of the two-year program, its
members are well-equipped with a broad-based knowledge of Abbott and a robust
network of mentors and colleagues. These assets are things that could take
longer to acquire without the help of the FPDP.
Describe a project or role you have held during your rotations so far.
My second rotation was within the Pharmaceutical Products Division (PPD),
supporting the Acute Care marketing and sales force teams. Being a commercial
role, the FPDP is responsible for forecasting sales related to one of the Acute
Care products. Additionally, I was responsible for budgeting and managing sales
force and promotional expenses for the franchise. Both responsibilities I found
to be interesting due to the close interaction with the sales force and
marketing groups. Because of the large amount of responsibilities in this role,
I could truly see the value I was adding to the franchise from a financial
standpoint.
How do you think Abbott's Professional Development Program will help you
accomplish your long-range career goals?
The FPDP lends itself to helping its members accomplish their long-range
career goals because it helps you to focus in on your interests. After having
completed four rotations across different business and financial areas, I will
have a solid understanding of which career path I want to pursue. I have
discovered that I enjoy the operational accounting side of finance within
Abbott. I have also learned that I would prefer to work within the medical
products group. Because a long-term career goal of mine is to become a leader
in the financial arena, I can align my short- and long-term goals on the career
path of a Divisional Controller.
Bobby, Information
Technology Professional Development Program
What excited you about Abbott's Professional Development Program
(PDP)?
The great thing about Abbott's Professional Development Programs is that it
really helps ease the transition from college to the workplace. The thought of
having three different jobs in two years put my mind at ease. I knew that upon
completing the program, I would have a better idea of my career aspirations, a
better grasp of Abbott's corporate culture, an understanding of how daily
operations apply in the workplace and a jump start on creating a successful
career at Abbott.
Describe a project or role you have held during your rotations so far.
During my 2nd Rotation, I worked in Pharmaceutical Products Division (PPD)
as a business systems analyst. Our group supports a Sales Force Automation
(SFA) application that Abbott PPD sales representatives use in their daily
operations. I had an opportunity to assist in the deployment of a major release
of Abbott's SFA application. The amount of planning and behind the scene
activities performed is remarkable. This project allowed me to gain insight
into the technical side of the application used, as well as the impact the
application makes to Abbott's business.
How do you think Abbott's Professional Development Program will help you
accomplish your long-range career goals?
The PDP program is a great foundation to my career for a number of reasons.
First, having the exposure to three different IT organizations within Abbott
has allowed me to gain valuable insight to various business processes. These
experiences will help me bring a variety of new ideas and new perspectives in
my future positions at Abbott. Second and most importantly, throughout my
rotations I was able to establish contacts with many people throughout the IT
organization here at Abbott. The people that I have met have all been extremely
open to provide advice and guidance. The guidance shared has helped me see the
big picture of IT and Abbott. The relationships I built will only provide
further opportunities in the long-term. I am excited for the future ahead of
me.