Workforce of the Future

Welcome Aspiring Engineers and Scientists!

We’re passionate about the pharmaceutical industry and cannot wait to meet the next generation of creative and innovative thinkers. Our goal is to show you the possibilities available for students interested in mathematics, engineering, technology, and science.

Below are resources that will assist in guiding you on the next steps of your journey to discovering the educational and/or career path that is right for you. Check out the video testimonials below from young people, like yourself, who want to share their experience and enthusiasm for everything a career in pharmaceutical engineering has to offer.

Share this page with your peers, parents, teachers, and anyone else you feel could benefit from the guidance and tools below.

University

Young Professional

Leaving university can be a daunting experience. Transitioning from the relative comfort of college life with its long summers, optional lectures and Student Union into the world of early starts, corporate email and performance reviews is not an easy step to take.

Many graduates fall into a "quarter life crises", questioning their field of study and job prospects. The offer of future study for STEM graduates, often in the form a PhD, offers continuity and safety at a time of uncertainty, yet is a PhD right for you in the long term?

The pharmaceutical industry offers on-the-job training for recent university graduates. These roles are designed to give you the required skills to be a future leader within the industry. Some programs are rotational, providing the opportunity to try a variety of roles within the organization. These programs also provide you with great experiences – offering the chance to live and work overseas.

Before making your decision, consider the materials and resources provided here.

  • Should You Study for a Postgraduate Degree or Join the Workforce?

    You’ve earned your bachelor’s degree and are probably at a crossroads wondering whether you should pursue postgraduate studies or enter the workforce. Getting another qualification may lead to a wage premium, while work experience early on may equip you with skills that cannot be learned at university. Learn More

  • Why Work in the Pharmaceutical Industry?

    If you ask anyone who works in the pharmaceutical industry what their main motivation is, it's more than likely you'll hear the same answer – to make people's lives better. Not many jobs offer you more of a chance to do this. Learn More

  • Careers in the Pharmaceutical Industry

    A hundred years ago there were no antibiotics, no paracetamol and no readily available relief from common illnesses like diabetes or asthma. The medicines which doctors can prescribe (and many which you can buy without a prescription) were developed and often discovered by the pharmaceutical industry. In this article, five people who work in the pharmaceutical industry explain what they do and why they enjoy it. 

  • Careers in Engineering

    The potential to improve processes across production is immense, and by adding ideas and a measure of fine-tuning, as well as remedying problems when they arise, the way in which medicines are made can be significantly improved. Learn More

ISPE Young Professionals

In addition to navigating your career options, join ISPE as a Young Professional and take advantage of everything the association has to offer you at this stage in your career journey.  Benefits include:

  • Young Professionals Community of Practice (CoP) – Make the connections you need to establish your professional network to participate in discussions on a wide array of topics
  • Explore issues common to younger professionals and seek means of accentuating the positives and finding resolutions for the negatives
  • Find info, from the basics to complex:
    • Discussion & Concept Papers - Read the latest discussion papers and give us your feedback.
    • Online Learning - ISPE's eLearning offerings include online courses and webinars to help you expand your skills and knowledge from the comfort of your desk.
    • White Papers - ISPE white papers are valuable documents designed to educate industry personnel on focused topics.
  • ISPE Career Solutions – offering the latest job openings, and free upload of your CV
  • Enjoy free online access to 24 Good Practice Guides in the Guidance Documents Portal, and take advantage of exclusive member discounts on Guidance Documents

This is just a sampling of the benefits you'll receive from being an ISPE Young Professional Member.  In addition, one benefit that can't be forgotten to mention is a savings of more than 40% per year on an ISPE Young Professional membership for the first five years after graduation.

Learn More & Join Today

Graduate Programs

Before you decide on a career path between taking on a job after graduation and going on to graduate school, it is important that you first identify your own motivations, interests, and strengths. The questions "Who am I?", "Where am I going?" and "How am I going to get there?" are essential when preparing for a successful search. You should take the time during your undergraduate years to learn about the options so you can become more prepared to make these decisions.

For example, to learn if a research career is your best fit, you can take a research internship during the summer or attend a research conference. These will give you a direct exposure and you will know much more about the outcome of taking a path in research.

Professional Development Programs

Many pharmaceutical companies offer professional development programs. Identify which programs exist and what you are passionate about by visiting the company pages below to learn more about their individual programs.

Careers Resources

Internships

STEM Conferences