Job Title: Marketing Intern
Location: New York, NY
Submitted on: 30-Mar-05
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Workplace
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Pfizer is a very conservative company. At any time, you could be riding
in the elevator with Karen Katen or David Schedlarz (e.g. very
important
people). The corporate cutlure isn't tense, but you definitely have to
be aware of your surroundings because there are so many people in the
company and you just never know what anyone's title is.
There isn't much diversity in the company although there has been a
strong emphasis to increase diversity within the company. I personally
think this is nothing more than a PR gimmick to get "brownie points"
and
because "that's what we're supposed to do" than an actual goal. I am
the
only African-American on my team as well as on my entire floor--of
almost 100 people. You don't see many Asians or Hispanic employees
either.
On my team, promotions were not easily received. Many people went
without deserved promtions and when promoted, really had to fight for
the promotion. Salary and stock options were good, however. As an
intern, I made $80,000 per year.
Work hours very from team to team, but those who want to get recognized
will stay longer. I typically came in at 8am and stayed until 7pm.
Sometimes, that meant sticking around even when I really had nothing to
do just to "be seen still working."
Pfizer is notorious for having lots of meetings, many of them
pointless.
For example, my team has often met to plan a future meeting. We also
have a weekly huddle meeting that usually takes 15 minutes to get
started while we all wait for the Team Leader to eventually make it
down
to the meeting and only lasts 10 minutes because nothing has changed
since the last time we met. A lot of the things discussed in meetings
could have been said over email.
HR is pretty terrible within the company. I still have yet to meet an
HR
Generalist that was productive or helpful. Don't be surprised if you
interview and it takes a long time for someone to get back with you (if
at all) or for your paperwork to be completely botched.
As with many large companies, gossip at the "water cooler" is
prominent.
Especially within the sales division. Net working is key to getting in
good with your team and the head people in charge but don't think all
of
your business won't be spread through the grapevine.
Sales reps have a very boring, non-challenging job. Fetching lunch for
a
snobby Doctor's office and running back to your car in the rain to get
highly demanded Viagra pens is hardly enjoyable. The reps do go through
extensive training consisting of several phases. Much unlike the
Corporate side who's main comcern is employee performace vesus employee
training. I would even veture to say that Pfizer is somewhat arrogant
and expects Corporate employees to come in knowing everything and has
no
time or interest in developing talent.
Pfizer lacks a mentorship program for its interns which can result in a
learning curve. Interns may feel like just an intern rather than a part
of the team as a result. Internsips, however, are key to getting hired
into the company and can basically be considered as a 3 month
interview.
When there are problems in the company, don't expect for leadership to
be upfront. Pfizer has a practice of not airing its dirty laundry, even
to its employees. There are a lot of smoke and mirrors.
Pfizer definitely looks good on the resume. 1/2 of the employees like
the prestige of being "the number one pharma company in the world" and
will stay for years and years. The other 1/2 recognizes Pfizer for what
it really is and will stay for only a few years to get the experience
for their resume.
Pfizer has a lot of growing up to do. The company's spending habits are
out of control. You might even say ridiculous. Especially on the sales
side. Spending $600 at a fancy restaurant to talk to a doctor for 15
minsutes about 4 products is insane. Yes, there are laws against that
sort of thing but the reps find ways to get around it. People within
the
company know it goes on but it is overlooked. Unless the rep gets
anyway. Additionally, Pfizer's number one seller isn't doing well and
projected sales are much lower than expected. There are some other
products in the pipeline that aren't doing well either due to bad
media.
The company is working on these problems, but it won't get fixes over
night.
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