My name is Rukayat Audu. I was born and raised in Nigeria, where I pursued my education in Pharmacy and gained three years of valuable experience working as a Pharmacist in both the retail and hospital sectors. Driven by my ambitions to thrive in the pharmaceutical industry, I moved to the UK to undertake a master's degree, which offered me an exceptional opportunity to broaden my horizons even further.
During my master’s programme, I came across the Opening Up Roche (OUR) Pharma Technical (PT) Internship posting. I was hesitant to apply since I lacked prior experience in the pharmaceutical field, but I ultimately decided to give myself a chance. The application was very open and transparent, and I felt at ease with the comprehensive information provided at each stage of the interview process. My confidence grew as I advanced through the application process, ultimately leading to my selection as one of the eight OUR PT Interns in 2021.
I worked alongside highly experienced and supportive mentors, who always encouraged me and made time for chats and check-ins. As this was my first sojourn in the pharmaceutical industry, I anticipated it to be daunting. However, to my surprise, I always felt that my contributions and opinions were valued and heard. I had the opportunity to leverage my diverse background to make meaningful and valuable contributions. Throughout my journey, I never experienced the sense of being relegated to a mere intern.
"I was delighted to discover that every individual I connected with exhibited remarkable kindness and support when approached, reaffirming the positive and inclusive culture that Roche upholds on a global scale."
Rukayat Audu
Operations Rotational Development Analyst
slide 1 of 10 The Perspectives Programme is an excellent way of getting to know Roche and gain insights on how we are evolving personalised healthcare for the benefit of patients. It’s also a great way to focus on your strengths and the opportunities that lie ahead. Severin Schwan, CEO Roche
As interns, we were introduced to members of the leadership team and encouraged to showcase our capabilities through presentations and were provided with comprehensive training. I also worked mostly autonomously and made effective use of my time not only within PTM-OE, but also in networking and forging connections beyond my immediate workspace. Besides, I was delighted to discover that every individual I connected with exhibited remarkable kindness and support when approached, reaffirming the positive and inclusive culture that Roche upholds on a global scale.
In retrospect, my overall experience was truly exceptional, and I am eternally grateful for the opportunity I was given as I ventured into the pharmaceutical sector for the first time. It served as an enlightening journey, revealing the depths of my capabilities and instilling in me a profound understanding of my potential for personal growth and perseverance when faced with challenges. This experience has empowered me to push beyond my limits whenever necessary, fueling my drive to achieve even greater heights. In addition to that, I was able to establish remarkable relationships that have remained steadfast even beyond the duration of my internship. These connections have blossomed and evolved as I returned to Roche for an extended role, contributing to the ongoing growth of my professional network.
I highly recommend that all potential candidates take a leap of faith and approach the opportunity with curiosity, an open mind, and a willingness to share their diverse opinions. This programme encourages unique thoughts and ideas, and your views will always be highly valued. Also, take advantage of every opportunity to grow and network, and I am sure this would be the beginning of something special for your overall career!
