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When you join AbbVie, you learn from and exchange ideas with some of the brightest minds in the industry. You’ll do doing meaningful work that impacts our business and improves the lives of patients worldwide.

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Development programs

If you will soon be graduating with an undergraduate or advanced degree, consider an AbbVie development program. We created them to give high-performing individuals the opportunity to broaden their work experience in a dynamic environment.

Each formal development program lasts two or three years, depending on the discipline. They are designed to enhance your leadership capabilities, expand your functional skill set and help pave the way to your ultimate career goals. Your functional program manager, assignment manager and mentor will help you acclimate to our unique culture of innovation and discovery. Working collaboratively, you will help make goal-oriented decisions while you perform challenging and rewarding work alongside industry pioneers.

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Business Technology Solutions Development Program

The Business Technology Solutions Development Program (BTSDP) is a global two-year rotational leadership development program.  Over the course of the three 8 month diverse and challenging rotations, the BTSDP member will develop their technology and business problem solving skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry to create value for AbbVie’s patients.

The program provides aspiring Business Technology Solutions professionals a range of unique experiences while addressing the business needs of today to help shape them into future business leaders of tomorrow.

BTSDPs can have rotational experiences in:

  • Business Analytics
  • Project Management
  • Data Analytics
  • Data Science
  • Application Technology
  • Emerging Technology
  • Design & Architecture
  • Digital Technology
  • Information Security

Rotational experiences can align to a more business facing or technical rotational path opportunities depending on business need and area of interest for the BTSDP. BTS Core Functional areas include Commercial, Enterprise, Information Research, Infrastructure, Manufacturing Operations, Security and Architecture.

Basic Requirements:

Completion of bachelor’s or master’s degree in related discipline:

  • Management Information Systems, Information Technology, Data Science, Business Analytics or Computer Science with substantial Information Systems coursework.
  • Computer Engineering majors with a strong emphasis in a technical related curriculum.
  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Must be authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship
  • Previous internship or related experience required

Preferred qualifications

  • Ideal candidates will combine technical and business knowledge with analytical strength and creative
  • problem solving abilities
  • Proven track record of teamwork, adaptability, innovation, initiative and integrity
  • Excellent communication, leadership and project management skills

Location Opportunity:

Most of the Business Technology Solutions Development Program assignments are in Lake County, Illinois. The program has the potential for international assignment areas in the following locations:

  • Germany
  • Audit assignment locations vary

Geographic locations and international assignments are dependent on business need.

Global Finance Development Program

AbbVie’s Financial Development Program (FDP) consists of four rotations over two years to prepare you for financial management roles. The roles are crafted to help you develop exceptional functional and leadership traits by working on a wide range of projects, while providing exposure to different leaders in the company. These finance experiences will develop you and put you on the fast track to future finance leadership opportunities at AbbVie. The rotations are carried out in a variety of functional areas such as: Commercial, Operations, R&D, and Corporate. You will also get experience by working cross functionally in a matrix environment, building your business acumen, and participating in key training sessions. Additionally, throughout the course of the FDP, each FDP will gain exposure in Cost Accounting through required Cost Accounting training modules and skill building opportunities.

You will spend two years as an FDP associate, during which time you can expect to complete approximately four separate professional work assignments within roles such as:

Basic Qualifications

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree in related discipline:
    • Finance
    • Accounting
  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Minimum of 3 Accounting classes (3 credit hours per class for total of 9 credit hours)
  • Willingness to do 1-2 six-month rotation(s) outside Lake County, IL
  • School and/or work experience using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Data Analytics
  • Must be authorized to work in the US on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship
  • Minimum of one internship in finance or accounting

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Dual major or minor in a related field is a plus
  • Demonstrated Leadership in school or student organization
  • Excellent problem-solving skills
  • Exceptional interpersonal, leadership and project management skills
  • Proven track record of teamwork, adaptability, innovation, initiative and integrity
  • Ability to work in a collaborative team setting

Location Opportunity:

Global assignment opportunities are in the following countries for 1-2 of your assignments:

  • Australia
  • Netherlands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Audit assignments, vary by audit
  • US Based Rotation Location based in Northern California

Commercial Leadership Program

The Commercial Leadership Program (CLP) consists of two 18-month rotations in both Marketing and Market Access and one 12-month rotation in Sales.

Focus Areas:

  • Sales/key account management
  • Product marketing
  • Market Access Marketing

Basic Requirements

  • Completion of a Master of Business Administration, preferably with an emphasis on marketing, strategy, or general management
  • Strong academic performance, minimum GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship

Preferred Requirements:

  • Demonstrated leadership potential
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Domestic geographic mobility
  • At least 3 years of work experience

Location Opportunity:

A majority of our Commercial Leadership Program opportunities are based in Lake County, Illinois. However, roles in sales or key account management are field-based and can be flexible.  

Global Market Access Program

The Global Market Access Program consists of three, 12-month rotations

Focus Areas

  • Pricing
  • Healthcare Technology Assessment
  • Global affiliate rotation

Basic Requirements:

  • Completion of a MBA concentrating in healthcare management, health economics or related, MPH, or PharmD.
  • Strong academic performance, minimum GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Eligible to work in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK, or the United States without requiring sponsorship
  • Interested in a global career

Preferred Requirements:

  • Demonstrated leadership potential
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Domestic & Global geographic mobility
  • At least 3 years of work experience
  • Healthcare related experience

Location Opportunity:

Most of the Global Market Access Program experience is based in Lake County, Illinois. However, global rotations require mobility to an AbbVie affiliate.

Marketing Associate Program

The Marketing Associate Program consists of three, 12-month rotations.

Focus Areas:

  • Product Marketing
  • Sales/Account Management
  • Commercial Analytics and Operations

Basic Requirements:

  • Completion of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Healthcare management related major.
  • Strong academic performance, minimum GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Eligible to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship

Preferred Requirements:

  • Demonstrated leadership potential
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Domestic geographic mobility (sales rotation)

Location Opportunity:

Most of our Marketing Associate Program opportunities are based in Lake County, Illinois. However, roles in sales or key account management are field-based and can be flexible.

Clinical Trial Operations Development Program

The Clinical Trial Operations, Development Program (CTODP) consists of three 8-month assignments

Focus Areas:

  • Clinical Program Development
  • Data and Statistical Sciences
  • Site Management and Monitoring
  • Digital Health – Development Design Center
  • Clinical Compliance
  • Clinical Standards and Training
  • R&D Contracting

Basic Requirements

  • Completion of Bachelor’s in related discipline:
  • Life Sciences (Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry), Nursing, Clinical Research, or related
  • Statistics (Data Sciences, Mathematics, or similar)
  • Engineering (Computer Science, Bioengineering, Biomedical Engineering)
  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0 
  • Previous internship or related experience required
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship

Preferred Requirements

  • Proven track record of teamwork, adaptability, innovation, initiative and integrity
  • Excellent communication, leadership, project management, problem solving, analytical skills, and business mindset
  • Microsoft Excel or another database experience is a plus

Location Opportunity:

Lake County – North Chicago, IL

Global Operations Development Program

Length of program:

  • Three 12-month assignments

Focus areas:

  • Engineering
  • Manufacturing
  • Purchasing and Supplier Management
  • Quality
  • Science & Technology
  • Supply Chain 

Basic requirements US and Puerto Rico:

  • Completion of a degree in related discipline:
    • Bachelor’s degree:
      • Engineering (Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related)
      • Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or related)
  • Master's in Pharmacy
  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship

Basic requirements Europe

  • Completion of a degree in related discipline:
    • Master's degree
      • Engineering (Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related)
      • Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or related)
      • Pharmacy
  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Must be authorized to work in the EU on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship

Basic requirements Singapore

  • Completion of a degree in related discipline:
    • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree:
      • Engineering (Chemical Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related)
      • Life Sciences (Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, or related)
      • Pharmacy
  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Must be authorized to work in the SNG on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship

Preferred requirements:

  • Excellent problem-solving, written, and verbal skills
  • Exceptional interpersonal, leadership and project management skills
  • Proven track record of teamwork, adaptability, innovation, initiative and integrity
  • Global mobility, flexibility and mindset

Global opportunities:

Global assignment opportunities are in the following countries for your 2nd or 3rd assignment:

  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • Puerto Rico
  • Singapore
  • United States (Lake County, IL)

Human Resources Leadership Development Program

Length of program:

Three 12-month assignments

Focus areas:

  • Business Human Resources supporting one of our functional businesses:
    • R&D, Operations, Commercial, or Corporate staff functions
  • Global Talent:
    • Talent Management
    • Talent Acquisition
  • Other Centers of Excellence:
    • Total Rewards
    • Employee Relations 

Basic requirements:

  • Strong academic performance, minimum cumulative GPA = 3.0/4.0
  • Completion of a Master’s degree in HR
  • Previous internship or related experience required
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a permanent basis without requiring sponsorship 

Preferred requirements:

  • Proven track record of teamwork, adaptability, innovation, initiative, and integrity
  • Global mindset to thrive in a diverse culture and environment
  • Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills
  • Analytical and creative problem solving abilities

Locations:

Lake County – North Chicago, IL

Internships

Everything we do begins and ends with the patients we serve. We draw our purpose, our products and our way of working from their needs. As an intern, you share in this commitment by challenging the status quo and gaining work experience directly related to your field of study and career goals. You’ll accelerate your future career path as you gain access to some of the most respected industry experts and senior leaders across the globe. 

AbbVie offers two Intern Programs both providing impact to AbbVie's business while also providing students meaningful industry experience, networking and development opportunities: the AbbVie Intern Program and Experiential Intern Program.

 

The AbbVie Intern Program Overview

This program was established to serve as a talent pipeline for AbbVie’s Development Programs. These Development Programs align to specific functions within the business: Operations, Finance, Business Technology Solutions, Clinical Trial Operations, Commercial, Market Access, Marketing Associate and Human Resources. Interns are hired to work on assignments in their function over the summer and based on performance may be offered a position in the Development Program which they would begin after graduating the following year.

 

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Intern Program Details

The AbbVie Intern program offers

  • Robust and impactful project assignments
  • Networking and exposure to senior leaders
  • Opportunities to create remarkable impact
  • Business and development overviews
  • Team-based networking and socials
  • Philanthropy involvement

Length of program:
10-12 weeks

Housing accommodations:
We provide housing for eligible interns at an extended-stay hotel near AbbVie’s campus. 

 

Available locations

Lake County
1 N. Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064

26525 North Riverwoods Blvd.
Mettawa, Illinois 60045

1401 Sheridan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60085

Available programs

Business Technology Solutions Internship

Focus areas: Business Analytics, Project Management, Data Analytics, Data Science, Application Technology, Emerging Technology, Design & Architecture, Digital Technology, Information Security

Upon successful completion of a BTS internship, interns may be considered for a full-time position in our Business Technology Solutions Development Program.

Operations Internship

Focus areas: Project Engineering, Quality and Compliance, Science & Technology

Upon successful completion of an Operations internship, interns may be considered for a full-time position in our Operations Development Program.

Finance Internship

Focus areas: Financial analysis, Budgets, plans and forecasting, Reporting and controls, Manufacturing operations accounting

Upon successful completion of a finance internship, interns may be considered for a full-time position in our Finance Development Program.

Commercial Internship

Focus areas: Sales/key account management, Product marketing, Managed health care marketing

Upon successful completion of a Commercial internship, interns may be considered for a full-time position in our Commercial Leadership Program.

Clinical Trial Operations Internship

Focus areas: Clinical program development, Data sciences, Clinical Drug Supply Management, Clinical Compliance, Compliance Training, R&D Contracting

Upon successful completion of a Clinical Trial Operations internship, interns may be considered for a full-time position in our Clinical Trial Operations Development Program

Human Resources Internship

Focus areas:
Business Human Resources supporting one of our functional businesses:

  • R&D, Operations, Commercial, or Corporate staff functions

Global Talent:

  • Talent Management
  • Talent Acquisition

Other Centers of Excellence:

  • Total Rewards
  • Employee Relations

Upon successful completion of a Human Resources internship, interns may be considered for a full-time position in our Human Resources Leadership Development Program.

Experiential Intern Program Overview

As an Experiential Intern, you will do meaningful work that has a real impact on our business and patients worldwide.  These assignments are based on business need and may change annually. An advanced degree may be required for some roles.

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Experiential Intern Program Details

The Experiential Intern program offers:

  • Robust and impactful project assignments
  • Networking engagements
  • Opportunities to create remarkable impact
  • Business and development overviews
  • Team-based networking and socials
  • Philanthropy involvement

Length of program:

11 weeks

Housing accommodations:

We provide housing for eligible interns.

Focus area examples:

  • Clinical Pharmacology
  • Data Sciences & Statistics
  • Drug Product Development
  • Drug Discovery
  • Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR)
  • Legal
  • Science, and Technology (MS&T)
  • Pharmacovigilance and Patient Safety (PPS)
  • Process R&D
  • Medical Affairs
  • Commercial
  • Communications
  • Supply Chain
  • Regulatory Affairs
  • Quality Assurance
  • Human Resources
  • Business Technology Solutions

Available locations

Additional locations may be available.

Lake County
1 N. Waukegan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60064

26525 North Riverwoods Blvd.
Mettawa, Illinois 60045

1401 Sheridan Road
North Chicago, Illinois 60085

East Coast:
100 Research Drive
Worcester, Massachusetts 01605

200 Sidney St
Cambridge, MA 02139

West Coast:
1500 Seaport Blvd
Redwood City, California 94063

400 East Jamie Court
South San Francisco, California 94080

999 East Arques Avenue
Sunnyvale, California 94085

601 Gateway Blvd, Suite 100
South San Francisco, California 94080

 

The AbbVie EXCEL Externship Overview

The AbbVie EXCEL Externship is a three-day experience open to 2020-2021 sophomore students. This experience provides students the opportunity to get to know more about AbbVie, as well as allows AbbVie the opportunity to get to know more about sophomore candidates that could be a great fit for an AbbVie internship the following summer.  Students will join us at AbbVie's Headquarters in Lake County, IL during the Summer of 2021 for the Externship Program. Meet members of our Undergraduate Development Programs (Business Technology Solutions/IT, Finance, Clinical Trial Operations, and Operations/Engineering), recruiting teams, and other senior leaders at AbbVie. Participants will experience diverse business areas, get hands-on experience by working on a case study and experience our exciting culture. Also included in this program is a tour of an AbbVie facility, presentations from AbbVie senior leaders, a panel discussion, teambuilding opportunities, networking, and much more! AbbVie will provide meals, housing and/or transportation for eligible students. The AbbVie EXCEL Externship is committed to cultivating diverse student partnerships. If interested, candidates a part of the externship will end the three-day experience with the opportunity to interview for a 2022 internship.

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Basic Qualifications

  • Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in related discipline or a strong interest in exploring opportunities in:
    • Finance or Accounting
    • Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Data Sciences, Business Analytics, Computer Science
    • Life Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Bioengineering
    • Operations, manufacturing, chemical engineering, Quality & Science, Supply Chain & Supplier Management
    • Marketing
  • Sophomores will be considered for the AbbVie Externship
  • Students who have minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrated leadership through extracurricular activities
  • Career interests align with AbbVie functions
  • Must be authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship now or at any time in the future

Recruitment Process

AbbVie participate in a variety of on-campus events such as: information sessions, career fairs and on-campus interviews. If interested, please check the career services schedules at your school for the recruiting event schedule and apply. To be considered for the AbbVie EXCEL Externship, you can apply through your University’s career web page such as Handshake or University specific portal, or by clicking here. AbbVie also posts our Internship and Development Programs on our career website at careers.abbvie.com.

Apply here.

Recruitment Timeline

  • Recruiting begins in August and will continue until all positions are filled, typically in the early Spring timeframe.
  • We strongly consider AbbVie Externs as candidates for Internship opportunities.
  • If there is interest in your application a member of our University Relations team will contact you to discuss next steps.

It was useful to see how the concepts I learned in the classroom were applicable to real-world corporate finance functions.

Olivia Bounadere, Finance Development Program I (and former finance intern in Global Marketing & Commercial Operations), North Chicago, IL

Additional resources

The AbbVie Early Career Team attends Career Fairs and hosts a number of Corporate Overviews. Use the link below to see when AbbVie may be coming to recruit at your University!

Campus Recruiting Calendar