Victoria Vazquez, Rutgers Post-Doc Fellow, Virology Medical Publications
1) Brief description of your position
I am currently in the second year of my fellowship at Bristol-Myers Squibb. I spent my first year in Medical Information and Medical Strategy supporting Orencia and I am now working in HCV Publications, where I will complete my fellowship.
2) Education history
I graduated from Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University in 2013.
3) What do you enjoy most about your job?
My fellowship provides me the opportunity to see across the different functions within medical. It has truly been an incredible experience thus far and I am so fortunate to have had such supportive mentors and preceptors along the way. I love the fact that I am able to work in publications and work with teams as well as lead projects within this organization. In addition to my work at BMS, I have very much enjoyed the Rutgers component of my fellowship. Having the opportunity to take on leadership roles within the fellowship as well as teaching and completing research has helped to develop me through a different avenue.
4) What are some of the obstacles of your position?
I think, for all fellows, the most difficult component is first entering the fellowship. Finding our ground, being comfortable and confident in our role, and simply just gaining a better understanding of how industry works in general. Being in my second year, I feel that I have grown tremendously and could only attribute this to my experiences within my fellowship.
5) In your opinion, what is the greatest impact of an industry pharmacist in the pharmaceutical industry?
Pharmacists have now taken positions within all functional and therapeutic areas within the industry. Wherever I have had the opportunity to work, I have encountered several past fellows and alumni of the Rutgers program. We bring a unique skill set to the industry, which allows us to succeed and grow the business. Senior leaders within the company continue to support our program and highlight the talent that we have brought to the organization.
6) What are some of the issues industry pharmacists currently face?
Depending on the company, there are some situations for which there are “traditional” roles for Pharmacists and others for individuals with other degrees. I have seen this mold being broken as pharmacists, and specifically past fellows, have risen to lead different therapeutic and functional areas within the company. Fellows are known to be driven and passionate about their roles and with this, anything is possible in terms of career development.
7) The path you took to your current position ie steps you took to achieve that position.
Of course FIND and Midyear were huge components of me developing my knowledge and narrowing down the positions for which I was interested. As the process continued on, it became very apparent that the position that I hold today was by far my “dream fellowship”. I am so fortunate to have this opportunity and I do my best to show this each day as I take on new projects and continually put my all into the work that I do. By proving ourselves within our fellowship, we not only open doors to job opportunities after we finish our programs, but we continue to prove the value of Pharmacists within the industry.
8) Tips and advice for anyone seeking the same position and how one can succeed in the industry.
My best advice for potential fellowship candidates is to follow your passion. Anything worth having is usually challenging and difficult at times. Strive for the best and you will achieve it. At Midyear and with your many interviews that you will have throughout your career, be sincere in your interest and highlight the leadership and innovation that you were able to bring to the organization or experience. Best of luck!