Why did you choose to attend the Master in Drug Development and Product Management (DDPM) Program?
Before the program, the majority of my experience and knowledge was limited to diagnostic laboratory work. I had just transitioned into a project management position at a Pharmaceutical company and I felt that I needed to expand my knowledge of the pharma world. I was excited when I discovered this program and saw that I would have the opportunity to learn about drug development, clinical trials and product marketing. I decided to attend this graduate program not only to help me excel in my current position but to also help myself in advancing my career.
What skills and proficiencies did you gain from this program and how did it benefit your career?
Not only did this program help me understand the bigger picture of my new position at work but it also opened my eyes to potential avenues along my career path. In addition, I gained insight on business plans, financial statements, and how to interpret clinical trial protocols and ICER reports.
Can you describe networking experiences that were initiated by the program?
The program introduced us to experts in different areas of the pharmaceutical world which allowed us to ask questions and gain knowledge of career paths we may not have known about before.
What did you like best about the program?
I appreciated that it was a more intimate class size in comparison to undergraduate classes. I also really liked the broad range of topics that we learned about from PK/PD, reverse engineering a drug, regulatory agencies, marketing and entrepreneurship.
If you could give an incoming DDPM student one piece of advice, what would it be?
You get what you put into it. Make sure you take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience that all the professors have and ask questions.