Intern Stories: Sadie M.

Sadie M.

Operational Excellence & Team Training Intern | Global Manufacturing & Supply

What does your internship entail?

As an Operational Excellence & Training Team Intern, I was responsible for leading a continuous improvement project aimed at increasing recycling rates for our site. Additionally, I worked with a team to develop training for over 300 of our operators. I had the opportunity to collaborate with subject matter experts in multiple departments to develop two courses: one was an in-person mechanical skills course designed to teach a fundamental understanding of mechanical, pneumatical, and electrical systems; another was a computer-based module designed to teach troubleshooting steps for common problems with our electronic batch record system.

What did you love most about your role?

One of my favorite parts about my role was that it allowed me to continuously learn, whether that be about various processes within Zoetis and the pharmaceutical industry, or skills that will aid me in my everyday life. Because I had such diverse projects, I was able to develop connections with a variety of people, including engineers, environmental health and safety professionals, authors, and trainers. Through my projects and the colleagues that I worked with, I developed a new understanding and skillset in a variety of topics like mechanical systems, recycling procedures, and global manufacturing and supply processes.

What was the biggest accomplishment you achieved during your internship?

One project that I particularly loved was developing a new recycling initiative for my site. The new initiative was designed to enhance recycling efficiency and reduce contamination through a new system for waste disposal that included color-coded bins, restricted lids, and pictorial prompts. I was even able to help conduct a two-week data collection period before and after the implementation of the new system. It felt great being able to deliver quality results and knowing that this project helps Zoetis make a positive impact in our world.