Workplace Realities

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

What skills are needed to compete for jobs in biomanufacturing?

1. The appropriate level of education and relevant job or military experience

2. Mastery of basic skills3. Technical knowledge and skills4. Employee success skills

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

1. Education and experience

• At least a high school diploma or GED• Companies rarely hire workers directly out of high

school; they prefer workers who have matured outside of the high school environment.

• Companies want employees with prior work or military experience.

• Companies value one to two years of college and an associate degree.

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

Ways to obtain valuable experience• Fieldwork or internship in the pharmaceutical industry• Undergraduate research in a laboratory• Employment in another type of manufacturing

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

2. Mastery of basic skills Basic skills include:

• Reading• Writing• Calculation• Problem-solving• Computer literacy (general office software)

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

• Applying your reading, writing and math skills Reading status reports from previous shifts Reading SOPs, equipment manuals Writing reports Using formulas to make solutions

• Applying your computer literacy skills Using computers that control equipment Writing reports using word processing software

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

3. Technical knowledge and skills

Applying scientific principles and technical skills• Growing cells• Operating process equipment• Analyzing production samples• Interpreting lab test results• Controlling the flow of gases and liquids• Purifying products• Identifying microbial contamination

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

4. Nine employee success skills

A successful applicant demonstrates the ability to:

A. manage time.B. maintain a safe and orderly work environment.C. keep learning new skills.D. follow procedures exactly.E. keep precise records.

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

4. Nine employee success skills

A successful applicant demonstrates the ability to:

F. communicate effectively.G. work as a team member.H. solve problems, troubleshoot and improve the process.I. understand and apply the principles of good business.

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

A. Manage time• Shows up for work regularly and on time• Is willing and able to adapt to shift work• Manages personal schedule to meet shift schedules• Plans and organizes work and sets priorities• Can attend to several tasks at once• Completes tasks on time; keeps production on schedule

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

B. Maintain a safe and orderly work environment

• Complies with health, environmental and safety regulations

• Follows dress and protective clothing policies• Assumes responsibility for safety of self and others• Sets a good example for others• Handles and maintains equipment and materials with

care• Follows good housekeeping practices

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

C. Keep learning new skills• Shows interest in learning new knowledge, skills and

tasks• Is resourceful and can work with minimal supervision• Accepts that continuous learning is part of the job

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

D. Follow procedures exactly(Do what you say)

• Follows directions exactly as written every time• Takes no shortcuts

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

E. Keep precise records(Say what you do)

• Keeps records that are accurate• Keeps records that contain required details

“If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist.”

“If it isn’t written down, it never happen.”

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

F. Communicate effectively• Communicates clearly and shares information with

others in a timely manner• Communicates effectively in person, through devices

(telephones, radios, e-mails) and in writing

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

G. Work as a team member• Recognizes individual contributions toward a goal• Accepts responsibility for team’s success or failure• Accepts own mistakes; is receptive to corrections and

suggestions

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

G. Work as a team member• Shares concepts, ideas and problems with others.• Coordinates own work and the work of others• Can conduct meetings and help groups make decisions• Is eager to assist and teach others

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

H. Solve problems, troubleshoot and improve the process

• Is willing to learn the manufacturing process and how different units in the plant work together

• Is sensitive to anything unusual in surroundings (sights, sounds, smells) and responds with appropriate action and communication to identify causes and solutions

Getting a Job and Getting Ahead

H. Solve problems, troubleshoot and improve the process

• Suggests ways to improve the manufacturing process, even when production is progressing without problems

• Knows and can apply a variety of problem-solving approaches and methods to determine causes and recommend solutions

Getting a Job and Getting AheadI. Understand and accept the principles

of good business• Understands the need for profit in the

manufacturing process• Can identify factors within the manufacturing

process that determine cost

Getting a Job and Getting AheadI. Understand and accept the principles

of good business

• Can identify possible barriers to profit in the manufacturing process

• Can explain why pleasing internal and external customers is critical to a company’s success