Alexion's 2020 Global Intern Program Remains Strong Despite COVID-19 Hurdles

Many organizations shuttered their intern programs due to COVID-19 this year, but not Alexion. The company maintained its plans to welcome the 2020 class of interns by quickly pivoting to a virtual program that promises to be as engaging, educational and rewarding as an in-office experience. Adding to the challenge was insuring our international virtual internship program spans several EU countries — Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Germany and France – was designed with even greater flexibility to accommodate the requirements of Europe’s various education systems.

Across the U.S., Ireland and EU, interns have joined the ranks of Alexion’s Finance, Commercial, Regulatory, and Medical teams, to name a few. They have attended meetings with leaders from across the company, volunteered their time as part of a day of service, taken a tour of the Global Security Operations Center (GSOC), and a participated in LEAP session, a simulation designed to take participants through the patient journey.

“As a mechanical engineering student, I didn’t have a huge amount of knowledge of the pharmaceutical sector. Every time I’ve asked to get involved in a project it’s been greeted with a yes, and it was that yes that has led me into sometimes random projects but all the time incredible rewarding work,” says Ronan McMullin, a BDS Manufacturing intern in Ireland.

Being given the challenge to create a virtual internship program that is just as valuable and beneficial to its participants as a traditional internship program created a tremendous opportunity for Alexion’s employees to think outside-of-the-box and deliver a successful program. And our interns rose to the occasion! We are deeply grateful to our class of 2020 interns who have worked hard to drive our mission forward in this virtual environment.

To learn more about how Alexion is advancing our people and our company, visit Alexion.com.