Why did you choose your company?
Because it is one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world with one of the largest and most innovative pipelines. And because the people here are genuinely nice and driven by a common purpose: to help patients.
What do you do on a day-to-day basis?
Many meetings, from large town halls to cross-functional meetings, to clinical trial meetings to many of which are virtual. I’m usually sending many emails to coordinate activities in my team, reviewing documents, gathering information about regulations and processes and relaying to appropriate people in more meetings.
Which skills/experience are key for your role?
I think communication is vital for a Regulatory program manager. You interact with so many people from across the product development lifecycle, with different backgrounds and expectations, so it is important to convey your message in the appropriate way in order to be heard.
What are the best things about your job?
Meeting so many different people and feeling like I am making a real difference in patients’ lives. I am lucky to be involved in two fillings at the moment where I am heavily involved with interacting with health authorities and bodies around the world and will hopefully see these products approved and in the hands of patients during my time here.
How does the graduate programme/scheme work?
It is a 2 year programme in the Global Regulatory division of Roche, including a 6 month rotation in any function of choice. There are 4 graduates in this intake and we are each in different sub-divisions of Regulatory. You also get assigned a mentor who helps support your learning which is also guided by many online training videos. Most importantly though, everyone is willing to help and talk to you no matter how senior, and this is crucial since a lot of the job is learnt by experience.
What sets your company apart from their competitors as a top graduate employer?
Exposing us to such a breadth of innovative products, the influence that Roche has globally in the world, the responsibilities that we get. No other company positioned in the UK can offer this level of experience in the pharmaceutical industry to an entry level graduate.
What’s next for you after the programme finishes?
Hopefully a permanent position in Roche! Whether in Regulatory or in another country is all to be determined but one thing is for sure, there are limitless options within such a large and influential organisation.
What advice would you give someone applying for a role with your company?
To be passionate about the patient cause and convey that in the application.
About the employee
- Name: Glykeria Karanika
- Degree studied: MSc Immunology // BSc Biomedical Science
- University attended: University of Oxford// Imperial College London
- Job title: Regulatory Programme Manager
- Location: Welwyn, UK
- Length of time with the company: 2 months
