Redefining Leadership at Amgen
One Veteran’s Story of Transition
Service, mission, duty—as one’s circumstances change throughout life, so too do these phrases shift and transform. Military veterans, like Aaron W., R&D Business Performance Manager at Amgen, often adjust their goals when transitioning to civilian careers.
However, these goals can still focus on serving others.
Our Veteran
Community
At Amgen, we’re proud to support veteran employees across our global teams. Through them, military veterans finishing their service can tap into a vast support network through our Military Fellowship Program.
The Amgen Veteran Employee Network (AVEN) Employee Resource Group also stands as a focal point for so many of our community and volunteering initiatives aimed at supporting current miliary service members and veterans. The group is also home to a host of senior members who are ready to act as mentors that can help guide recently transitioned veterans looking to find the next big step in their career.
We spoke with Aaron about how his own journey of transitioning his skills from the military to the civilian world, how AVEN supported him in his journey, and how he pays it forward for fellow veterans and currently serving military personnel today.
In what ways does your experience in the United States Army contribute to your role at Amgen?
My military career was shaped by core values, including Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage, which together form the acronym 'LDRSHIP'.
Amgen, as a company, not only embodies these values in its mission to serve patients, but also reinforces them in its organizational culture.
What support systems does Amgen have in place for veterans?
At Amgen, we have the Amgen Veterans Employee Resource Group (AVEN), for which I am honored to serve as the Chairperson of the Tampa Chapter. The global mission of AVEN is to foster an inclusive network of military veterans, military spouses, and veteran advocates throughout the Amgen enterprise. Our core team members and supporters concentrate their efforts on local community outreach, external recruitment and coaching support, community sponsorship, cross-ERG programs, and professional development mentorship.
Additionally, we have the Veterans Fellowship Program, which provides Amgen managers with the opportunity to host a service member or military spouse for a 12-week fellowship as a way of giving back to the veteran community. The fellowship program allows them to receive on-the-job training and acquire new skills to aid in their transition from the military. For military spouses, this is an opportunity to hone their diverse skill set after making sacrifices to support their spouse and family.
Can you share a specific instance where skills or lessons learned in the military have directly helped you in your career at Amgen?
When I first joined Amgen, I was a member of the Representation in Clinical Research Team (RISE), where I was responsible for building genuine, trusting relationships with underrepresented communities. The approach I used to help Amgen better understand these communities was similar to the methods I employed while serving in the military and working with foreign allies.
It's not just about the work - it's important to listen to the voices of the communities, understand their concerns, and be transparent when addressing them. It's crucial to never make promises that can't be kept and to never assume to know what's best for them. Listening to their voices and meeting them on their level goes a long way.
How has Amgen recognized and appreciated your military background and experiences?
Every year, events are organized to celebrate the contributions of our veterans. Additionally, AVEN collaborates with other ERGs to showcase the diverse ways in which veterans enrich our community beyond their military service.
What advice would you give to other veterans considering a career at Amgen?
Instead of focusing on the technical skills you may lack, such as in-depth knowledge of biotech or life sciences, concentrate on the skills you do possess. In particular, your 'soft skills' such as mental agility, compassion, and the ability to operate with minimal guidance, which are highly valued by employers and were essential for success in the military.
Take Your
Next Step
Aaron’s experience is just one example of how Amgen has helped empower veterans across the country. Across every level of our team, you’ll find an array of diverse perspectives and skills that are dedicated to a new mission—serving patients in all that we do.
It’s not an easy mission, but that’s why’re proud to pursue it. And between our tight-knit teams, competitive benefits, and innovative workspaces, we’ve been consistently recognized a Great Place to Work for Veterans.
Learn more about veteran employee stories, programs, and career opportunities by clicking the button below and exploring our careers website. Whether you come from a biotechnology background or are interested in making a career pivot, your skills can make a positive impact for patients worldwide.
