Teva’s Top Graduates: From Academic Learning to Business Leadership

Identifying exceptional talent and developing upcoming leaders is key to building a robust future, which is why Teva launched its Global Graduates program in September 2023. Here, top university graduates bring their skilled academic perspectives and innovative ways of working into the business world.

Meet two of our graduates and hear about their journeys so far.

Vikki holds a BA (Hons) in Chemical Engineering and an MEng (Hons) in Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge, UK.

What first attracted you to Teva?

My master’s research was on human serum albumin, a protein in our blood. It was this that got me interested in healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry. I wanted to see how I could apply my academic learning to the real world.

What grabbed my interest in Teva was a video I saw about how generic medicines help address the huge disparity of access to medicines in healthcare. Having that kind of impact on people’s health while doing work you enjoy seemed like a great start to my career.

Can you tell us about what drives you?

I thrive in different environments and through change. Perhaps it’s because I’ve already lived in several different countries. I was born in Boston, lived in Hong Kong as a kid, and then went to school and university in the UK.

I’m naturally curious (the polite way of saying I’m nosey!), and I want to dip my toes in everything. One of my greatest fears is being stagnant, and the fact that Teva has so many different sides to its business is extremely exhilarating for me.

What have you experienced at Teva so far?

I joined Teva Global Operations (TGO) in West Chester shortly after the launch of the Pivot to Growth strategy. I’ve heard a lot about the vision for our innovative pipeline and phase one submissions. It’s incredibly ambitious and exciting.

My day-to-day work involves managing projects, preparing reports, and conducting statistical analyses. I’m also working with Kfar Saba in Israel on a new biologics launch. In addition, I’ve been working with the TOM (TGO Operating Model) programs on their yield and scale-up projects. Collaborating with such a huge network of people from different countries and fields is amazing.

What are your plans going forward?

I’ve been offered the chance to take an eight-month assignment in the US commercial unit. There I will be working in business analytics and special sales market forecasting for innovative molecules. At first, the prospect of this role felt way out of my comfort zone. However, when I looked into it closer and saw the specific things I will be doing – like maths and predictive modelling – I realized this is what I enjoy. It’s an opportunity to use my skills in a new way, so I’m really looking forward to it.

Mareike holds a BSc in Biology from Hanover and an MSc in Nutrition Science from Halle a.d. Saale.

Tell us about your career journey so far at Teva

I started as a quality analyst at Teva Biotech in Ulm and worked with a great network of people. I enjoyed the role very much, and it suited my analytical thinking and structured approach. I was then offered the opportunity to move to the commercial unit as a graduate in channel management. This was a very different role and environment for me, but I wanted to give it a try.

What have you learned about yourself since joining Teva?

I’ve enjoyed working in both TGO and the commercial units and this experience has shown me that I like variety and learn more by working with diverse teams. I’ve been with the commercial team for eight months now, and it’s a different way of working. The approach is creative, and I get to take part in a lot of stimulating workshops. I feel I have discovered a side of myself that I hadn’t used before, and it’s super exciting.

I’ve also found out that I like to be pushed out of my comfort zone. I’ve learned to adapt quickly, and although it can feel overwhelming as I need to devour a lot of information, it’s also really rewarding. I love to think in patterns and it’s good to know I can apply this skill in different fields.

Mareike with the Channel Management Team. Left to right: Moritz Bantleon, Lukas Herde, Mareike Maubach, Lena Naegele, Elena Steinmann, Daniel Klein.

What has surprised you about working here?

I didn’t expect to be able to build such a large network so quickly. There are many events and a very strong women’s community here that inspires and motivates me. Additionally, although I know Teva is a global company, I was still surprised by how closely the countries work together day to day. For example, we’re working on a new system that is about to be implemented here in Germany, and we regularly talk to countries that have already completed the process to learn from their experience.

What’s coming next for you?

I’m thrilled to have been offered the chance to work for six months in the US headquarters in Parsippany within the US commercial team. I’m not sure of my exact role yet, but I am sure it will be a whole new adventure - I can’t wait!

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Find Out More:

• Meet more of our recent graduates – read Jessica and Shachaf’s story.
• Discover how diversity fuels innovation in Teva's R&D Management Team.
• See how Teva's Global Operations is tapping into gender diversity to drive excellence