For A Fulfilling Career: Look for Value, Stay Curious and Be Bold

At EMD Serono, we aspire to create, improve and prolong the lives of Canadians. As General Counsel, I see my role as supporting others in doing what’s right for Canadian patients. I’m incredibly proud to work at a company that directly impacts the health and wellbeing of others, and I love mentoring young people keen to follow a similar path.

Finding value in what you do is important  

Making a positive impact has always been my career north star, and it’s incredibly inspiring to see the help EMD Serono brings to thousands of patients, families and caregivers. I encourage every person I mentor to look for value in their career. Of course, that can mean something different to everyone, so it’s about looking for opportunities and challenges that are meaningful to you. A mentor can help you do that.

Find for a mentor – inside or outside your organization

Finding a mentor outside your reporting structure (inside or outside of your organization) can help identify the path towards finding – and adding – value in your career. As a small organization, EMD Serono helps its employees learn
cross-functionally and benefit from connections across the business. My door is always open to my colleagues, but it’s also important to me to mentor junior lawyers and students from outside the company.

Many people are happy to help, so don’t be afraid to ask  

Mentoring relationships can be built without a formal mentor program. The obvious choice is LinkedIn, which can help you connect with experienced professionals. I always make time to respond to emails from people starting out. So don’t be shy, more people will respond than you think. If you’re not sure who that person could be – look at industry associations. For aspiring lawyers, the Canadian Bar Association offers several mentorship programs.  

Aspire to be bold, curious and courageous 

EMD Serono’s high-impact culture embodies daily behaviours that inform my advice to mentees. One such behaviour is “Be Curious and Innovate Boldly.” This mindset has inspired me to take chances leading to success in my job over the years. As a department of one, “Simplify and Act with Urgency,” has also helped me quickly identify and tackle things I’m not expert in. It’s really about staying open and knowing when to seize the moment. You can apply these principles at any stage of your career journey.

Above all, be proactive!

Ultimately, you are in charge of your career, no one else – so think about your desired trajectory, and be proactive. Shifting how you think about your daily work experience is a good place to start. Everything can be learning opportunity when you’re starting out, so say yes to as much as you can (within reason) and don’t say no to projects that you think won’t interest you. You never know when the door to the next opportunity might open.  

Good luck!