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The Pillars of an Award-Winning Program
Novo Nordisk was selected as a 2023 Campus Forward Award Winner for their unwavering commitment to seeking out and hiring early career talent, their emphasis on diversity & inclusion, and investments in nurturing and retaining the next generation of talent. Please see below for the highlights of their approach to early career recruitment.
Demonstrated Investment in Early Career Hiring
Novo Nordisk believes that training and developing the next generation of talent is essential to the growth of the company and its employees. The team has committed to many different paths of early talent including internships, co-ops, student assistants, fellowships, rotational development programs, and apprenticeships. These programs also allow current employees mentorship opportunities while the students gain guidance and hands-on learning experience as it relates to their job functions and future. Novo Nordisk has a dedicated early talent team that focuses on the training and development of all early talent across the company’s many different locations. Novo Nordisk’s early talent programs continue to grow year-after-year and together create life-changing careers.
Innovative and Multi-Faceted Approach to University Recruitment
The Early Talent Development Team at Novo Nordisk is a compact, efficient team that has been developed to sit outside of the organization’s standard recruiter workforce. Unlike other large pharmaceutical companies, this structural decision has allowed the team to be solely focused on the recruitment, development, and program management of Novo Nordisk’s Early Talent Development Programs. Not confined by traditional full-time recruitment procedures, the team has developed its strategy to be agile and adaptive to make the team’s recruitment efforts more accessible to a diverse population of students with varying needs. Some of these efforts include simplified interview structures, condensed screening experiences, attendance at on-campus and virtual informational events, and a fully virtual interview process.In order to provide the best overall recruitment and program experience, the team individually handles each step of the recruitment life cycle process and program cycle. This effort ensures high-touch management, consistent communication to students, and an unmatched internship experience.
Overarching Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
Novo Nordisk has always been committed to recruiting a diverse slate of candidates. To achieve this, the team has established relationships with HBCUs and hosts specialized events geared toward the university’s student population, such as informational sessions, interview prep workshops, resume reviewing, and coffee chats. Some of these partners include Howard University and North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Novo Nordisk has donated grant money to help support NCCU and other HBC’s to increase the population of diverse and highly-skilled talent in the industry. Novo Nordisk frequently recruits at large conferences like National Black MBA to support DEI&B initiatives, and has ERGS centered around its diverse workforce. The company also believes in supporting students at the local high school level, and partners with the Trenton High School and Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County. The organization works with these institutions to host volunteer days, mentorship programs, donation funds, and much more.
Impactful Internship Program
At Novo Nordisk, interns kick-start their careers by working closely with experienced industry professionals and gaining valuable, hands-on, full-time work experience. For ten weeks, interns are immersed in the environment of a global pharmaceutical company and contribute to sustainable and meaningful project work. The program also includes an unmatched learning experience that offers vendor-led trainings, leadership engagement talks, volunteer opportunities, and company-wide events. Interns will also participate in a guided mentorship program that offers professional and personal development. As the capstone event of the program, interns compete in the Innovation in Action Case Competition. Assigned to cross-functional teams from the other North American affiliate offices, interns work closely to develop an innovative solution to a business problem currently facing Novo Nordisk and present their findings to a board of top Novo Nordisk officials.
Growth and Development of the Next Generation of Talent
Novo Nordisk offers many different opportunities for success for all employees. Each employee receives a robust onboarding specific to their sites, and everyone is provided with on-the-job, hands-on learning and training. On the first day, employees are able to request a mentor, join development and training opportunities are offered, and they have full access to the company’s Degreed program with classes, articles, and development opportunities available at all times. New hires are also provided with a 90-day onboarding development plan established by their manager, which will allow them to follow a guided program and steps on learning their new role. Employees will also complete an individual development plan and review it with their manager to aid in solidifying their long-term professional success and development.