The Center for Mathematical Achievement in Science and Technology (CMAST) at Grambling State University held a special internship opportunity with The Eli Lilly and Company on Oct. 6. The seminar was specifically targeted to science majors but all majors were welcomed to attend.
There were two speakers that presented the opportunity to the students. One of the speakers, Randall Reed is a Grambling grad, class of 1988. He stated, “I love the variety of work Lilly offers and opportunity for career development. I also love making a product that can help improve people’s lives. I also advise students to take advantage of the opportunities offered in college. GPAs are important and involvement on campus is as well.”
Eli Lilly and Company is a Fortune 500 corporation and an American global, research-based company.
SOKUNNA YUN/The Yearbook
An Eli Lilly representative talks to a group of Grambling State
University students about internships and creer development.
Around the world, Lilly employees work together to discover and bring life-changing medicine to the market for people in need, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.
There are approximately 41,000 employees worldwide. There are more than 8,000 employees engaged in research and development. Lilly’s clinical research is conducted in more than 55 countries. Lilly also has research and development facilities located in six countries, manufacturing plants located in 13 countries, and products marketed in 120 countries.
Many benefits come with working for Lilly and Company. Health, Dental, and Long-Term Care insurance are a few benefits available to the employees. There are also many fun activities Lilly employees have to choose from. Some include golfing, swimming, basketball, bowling, cooking, gardening, etc.
Colonel Eli Lilly, a pharmaceutical chemist and veteran of the American Civil War, founded the company in May 1876, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Colonel Eli Lilly was a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs.
The headquarters is still located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Mike Halloway, Jackson State University grad and employee at Lilly, said “I like Lilly because I get a chance to really put my degree to action with hands-on work in many different fields. I also enjoy working with my colleagues and friends I have made there. It’s been a great opportunity to make products that help people and the community.”
Lilly was the first company to mass-produce penicillin, the Salk polio vaccine, and insulin, including one of the first pharmaceutical companies to produce human insulin using recombinant DNA. Lilly is also the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of psychiatric medications.
Lilly’s promise is to unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world.
Corisma Akins, the Project Director for CMAST stated, “I think it is a great opportunity for STEM students to learn about research opportunities on and off campus. We had a good turnout; about 60 students came to the seminar. It is great to have alumni come back and share their success stories and help give back to the students and university.”
Lilly believes giving back to the community is important.
Every year, one day in October, Lilly employees worldwide go into the community to help give back with hands-on work. The program, Global Day of Service, launched in 2008 and employees served nearly 625,000 hours of community service. The volunteer work varies from painting buildings to planting.
Lilly also has employee volunteer programs designed specially for them. Some of the programs include Lilly Global Giving Program, United Way Campaign, and Six Sigma Programs.
Lilly supports higher learning for their employees. Lilly will actually pay for college for their employees and allow them to take time off to finish up their degrees.
The internship requires at least a 3.0 GPA and is very competitive. There is also an interview process and only 40 students are chosen nationwide.
Owen Reedy, a graduating senior majoring in chemistry said, “I actually interned at Lilly before. It was in summer 2013 at the Elanco Animal Health Division. It was a great opportunity and the program is highly beneficial.”
All internships include: 10- 12 week duration, paid salaries, robust projects, housing program, and social and networking events.
A sophomore, Brianna Williams, from San Diego, CA, said, “I am a chemistry major and I came to this seminar to broaden my knowledge about the company. After attending, I am really interested in the company and applying to the internship.”
This internship opportunity was specifically targeted to science majors but other majors can go online at www.lilly.com and check out the opportunities offered for their field of work.