Life after TIAS: working at AMGEN in Mexico

How are our alumni doing since graduating from TIAS? Which carrier path did they choose and at which organization did they end up? And what advice do they have for current and potential TIAS students? Find out in this blog!

This blog post is written by Maripaz Márquez Quiroz from Mexico City | Full-time MBA 2018-2019.

MBA is the moment to change and to work to pursue your dream job. With a solid scientific career in Pharmacology and boosted skills of leadership during the MBA, I was still clarifying a suitable role in a Pharmaceutical company. The Career Development Program of TIAS shaped my future in several ways. I learned the value of networking. I contacted an old colleague and friend who is working in a Global Pharmaceutical company in Canada. He said: ..." hmmm as far as I know you and the abilities you have developed during the MBA...you can try as Medical Science Liaison (MSL)". That was the Eureka moment for me!

I have been a fan of Amgen since several years ago, to be exact...since I was working at Utrecht University (UU) as a Postdoctoral Researcher. Knowing the role and the company of my dreams, I did not wait to search in LinkedIn for the job description of MSL in Amgen; and there it was... Medical Science Liaison in Oncology/Hematology at Amgen Mexico!

How did you get the job?

To achieve an interview at Amgen, I activated my network in Mexico...anyone who can give me a contact in Amgen Mexico! In parallel, I worked together with my coaches, Fleur Mertens and Anneli Jurrij, on the motivation letter and the vision of myself in the professional path. My heart still speeds up when I remember my first interview with Human Resources from Amgen Mexico while I was still in the Netherlands.

The rest of the process took place in the headquarters of Amgen Mexico, one of the steps consisted of giving a presentation to introduce myself and a topic of the company's interest. To prepare my presentation, I looked into my toolbox provided by my life at TIAS and my previous professional experience. I put into practice what I learned from Philippa Chapman about the elevator speech and presentation skills, I remembered and thanked the multiple presentations made in the TIAS classroom and the way our international professors introduced themselves on the first day of class. During the presentation, I met part of the management team, including the person who would be my direct boss. I felt comfortable and motivated in each step of the hiring process, because being around inspiring managers to focus to serve patients felt like the place where I belong.

The process went smoothly, my competences, interests, and values matched with the position and the company. Finally, I officially joined the Amgen team on October 1st, 2019.

What are you doing in your job?

To serve patients has been the driving force of Amgen since the foundation 40 years ago. 2020 is the 10th anniversary of Amgen Mexico. It is my honor to be part of the Medical team as Medical Science Liaison (MSL) with the specialty of Oncology and Hematology. The Medical team is considered as scientific experts to internal colleagues. My main responsibilities include daily decision-making and working cross-functional with the teams of commercial, value&access, and pharmaco-economics.

The MSL is a key role because it is the link between the physicians and the company. Some of the main activities include having scientific discussions with opinion leaders based in Mexico City and other states within Mexico, to help ensure that the products are utilized effectively by Health Care Professionals, such as physicians and nurses. Additionally, the MSL contributes to the training within the company, impacting the sales force in Mexico and Latin America. To be part of a global company allows me to work closely with other countries, such as the US and Canada.

My advice to you!

• Networking matters. You never know who could help you and who you could help in return. Expand your network and send a greeting message once in a while, do not send a message only to find a job.
• Be kind to yourself and others. The journey to find a job is not easy, a lot of cover letters, forms to fill, maybe not so many interviews...but for sure many rejections. Time, energy and attention are limited, to optimize these resources I applied a strategy during the application process. I asked myself two questions: Do I feel energized when I read the description of this position? Would I do this job for free? If the answers are yes, then I continued with the application.
• Believe in yourself. Be calm, surround yourself of people who cheer for you, trust in your abilities, in your knowledge...you are part of the TIAS alumni, come on!
• Read the description of the vacancy. Although the job description is a wish list from the company, it is important to fill most of the requirements.
• Be unstoppable. If you want something, you could find a way to achieve it ethically.
• Do not assume. An assumption is a thing that is accepted as true or certain without proof. To assume information would limit your opportunities. Being part of a global company means working with different cultures, mindsets, and expertise...Never stop asking is part of my daily life!

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