Somewhat mediocre Fortune 500 company (in terms of company management)
Pros
The reason to work at Novartis really depends. One might be attracted to the prestige associated with the company’s name and status - after all, it’s a Fortune 500 company. Having such a reputable organization on your resume could certainly be advantageous for future job prospects. However, it’s important to note that not all departments within Novartis are equally commendable. Definitely not the compliance department, for instance - This is speaking on the Global level though, because the local compliance team was the best team I ever worked in until the 2022 restructuring. On the other hand, Novartis occasionally introduces exceptional pipeline products that essentially sell themselves - But I suppose it is the same with other top pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, roles related to these products could certainly add some noteworthy achievements to your professional portfolio.
Cons
As the saying goes, it’s not just about what you know, but also who you know. In many cases, survival or advancement at Novartis often hinges on having the “right connections”. What bothered me the most during my time at Novartis was the appointment of numerous individuals to “people manager” roles, despite their lack of requisite skills or attributes for the position. The absence of training or support for these individuals further exacerbated the issue, preventing them from effectively fulfilling their “people manager” responsibilities. Moreover, it’s often the “show ponies” who receive recognition, rather than those who are truly dedicated to their work. That being said, cons for one person could very well be pros for another, if you know what I mean.
