About Mehreen
Education
2006-2010: Lahore University, BSc Social Science & Economics
2012-2014: Lund University, MSc Middle Eastern Studies
Experience
2014-2016: Recruiter, Delta Partners
2016-2017: Graduate, Novo Nordisk
2017 – 2020: Various roles, Novo Nordisk
2020-Now: Graduate Programme Manager, Novo Nordisk
Interestingly, I joined Novo Nordisk as a graduate myself. I have a politics and philosophy background, and wanted to step into the corporate world. The graduate program was such a tremendous opportunity to do so. I’ve lived in Dubai, Istanbul and finally Denmark thanks to the programme. When the role of graduate programme manager opened, it seemed like the natural next step, to sit on the other side of the table, as they say. I have been loving every minute of it ever since!
➔ Hiring! Novo Nordisk are hiring graduates right now. Click here for more details on the programme.
What is the story of the Graduate Programme?
The first Graduate Programme was established in 1999 and is today the flagship talent programme enriching our company capabilities by developing tomorrow’s key people. New programmes are strategically established to meet future workforce planning challenges. This year, we are excited to introduce two new tracks, the Data Science and the Manufacturing Technology Programmes.
How has Covid 19 impacted your Graduate Programme?
The Graduate Programme has seen some changes during the Covid-19 pandemic; the recruitment process has been very agile and has moved entirely virtual. This new approach includes a virtual assessment center where pre-selected candidates from all over the world meet in a digitized environment, in which the applicants will solve business cases and take part in the multiple activities planned for them.
We are striving very hard to maintain the international focus of the programme – ensuring that all graduates experience their international rotations wherever possible. Programme managers have been working hard with our mobility team to ensure that graduates get the opportunity to experience working in different geographies, without compromising on safety and security.
The best thing about the programme?
The exposure and agility you will get while being part of the Graduate Programme at Novo Nordisk makes it a unique experience. You will get to experience the company through different angles and lenses by taking different roles in different countries, across the many layers of the organization. The company strives to develop its future leaders through this programme therefore you get a lot support throughout your graduate journey. The networks you build, the mentors and programme managers assigned to you, and the diverse and challenging projects you work on, all come together to kickstart your life-changing career!
The company strives to develop its future leaders through this programme therefore you get a lot support throughout your graduate journey
Fun fact about your graduate programme?
You’ve probably already heard that our CEO is an ex-graduate, but perhaps you didn’t know that almost all graduates in Novo Nordisk have highly successful careers. They are more likely to be promoted, move across the organization, and take up key positions, when compared to their peer group. It is no mystery then, as to why Novo Nordisk invests so heavily in the graduate programmes!
➔ Hiring! Novo Nordisk are hiring graduates right now. Click here for more details on the programme.
