Picture this: You’re nearing the end of your college career and you’re not sure which job would be the best fit for you. You’re smart and driven, and based on your previous experiences, you think you could do well in a variety of positions. Instead of boxing yourself into one role for a few years, why not apply for a rotational program?
In a typical rotational program, you get the chance to try out at least three different roles at a company, spending a set amount of time in each position. Rotations expose you to different departments in the company, giving you the chance to figure out what you’re best at and where in the company you can thrive long-term. A NACE survey found that, in general, companies with a rotational program had nearly a 20% higher first-year retention rate than companies without a rotational program. After five years, companies with a rotational program saw a 10% higher retention rate than companies without a rotational program. If you’re hoping to secure a long-term spot in a company while learning as much as possible, a rotational program could be a great fit for you.
Roivant Sciences, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on reducing the time and cost of the drug development process, offers one of the top programs in the country. Its two-year program gives analysts the chance to gain experience across a variety of functions within the company, all while making a real impact on the business. To find out the benefits of a rotational program firsthand, we talked with a few analysts in Roivant’s analyst program and identified the top reasons why every college student should consider a program like this after graduation.
Rapidly learn about your industry of interest
If you’re interested in a specific industry, a rotational program will teach you the ins and outs. From communications to research to finance, every department contributes to a company’s success in their particular industry. Getting to know how different roles play a part in a company’s operations will quickly show you the ropes.
Roivant’s program, for example, gives its analysts the opportunity to develop Roivant’s innovative health and pharmaceutical companies in their early stages. Referred to as the “Vants,” the Roivant family of companies spans across different areas of focus within the healthcare and biotech industries, from data analytics to drug development and rare disease treatments. Analysts get the chance to build these companies from the ground up, learning about different elements of the industry as they do.
“When I was looking for a job my senior year of college, I wanted an opportunity where I would gain a breadth of knowledge into the drug development process and the pharmaceutical industry,” said Lloyd, a current analyst. “Being placed within departments across Roivant’s family of companies allows me to achieve just that.”
While not every rotational program will give you the chance to work in early-stage companies like at Roivant, moving between departments and constantly learning will give you a more holistic view of a company and industry as a whole.
Work on a diverse set of projects
With a rotational program, you won’t be stuck doing the same thing over and over. In fact, you’ll likely have a hand in several exciting projects and initiatives.
“Every rotation is unique, and within each rotation there’s opportunity to work on a variety of different projects. Between my first two rotations, I probably worked on 8-9 different projects,” said Roshnee, a Roivant analyst. “I’ve appreciated the ability to define my workload at Roivant, and I think there’s always the chance to ask for more if there’s something you’re interested in. If you’re willing to step up to the plate, people are often willing to let you take the lead on projects. At this stage of my career, I don’t think there’s another job I could have with this much ownership over the work I’m doing.”
One of the benefits of a rotational program is having the chance to figure out what kinds of projects and tasks you do well. At a company like Roivant, this ability to explore new areas is coupled with the ability to take more ownership in areas you’re passionate about and establish yourself as a potential leader early on. Whether or not you’re interested in taking on extra responsibility, being exposed to a variety of projects is still invaluable experience in identifying future projects you want to work on.
Find a mentor and learn about your potential career trajectory
Working in different areas of the company means you’ll get to work with people who have varying roles and responsibilities. You aren’t limited to working with the same team on a long-term basis, allowing you to connect with a wide range of people, learn about their career paths, and identify someone who could be a great mentor.
“When you’re working on different teams throughout the two-year program, you’re matched with someone who will be your direct manager. In my experience, that person has taken on a role as a mentor as well,” said Greg, another Roivant analyst. “In addition to assigning projects, managers are focused on helping us learn, and we’re expected to ask for feedback and help.”
Whether you connect with your first supervisor or meet someone outside of your team, a rotational program gives you the chance to meet outstanding people in all areas of the company, showing you the different opportunities for upward mobility within the company. Instead of solely learning about your supervisor’s career path, you can learn from higher-ups in various roles about how they got to where they are today. What kinds of skills do they find valuable in their current roles? What do they wish they had learned before accepting their current position? As is the case at Roivant, some of these managers may also take on the role of a mentor, allowing you to learn about your potential trajectory with a company while gaining a valuable connection.
See what makes the company great
While you’re sure to learn a lot about a company in any role – rotational or not – having the chance to work with different people and departments allows you to learn the ins and outs of the company and see why it’s a great place to work. From connecting with coworkers to seeing how each department pushes the company’s mission forward, a rotational program will give you a comprehensive view of the workplace.
“In our program, we transition across a variety of teams and have the opportunity to see so many aspects of Roivant and its subsidiary companies,” said Lloyd. “This mobility allows us to to see how the company operates across teams, which isn’t an opportunity available at most companies.”
In addition to witnessing how teams work, you’ll get a great sense of the culture and witness the passion employees have for their positions and what they do.
“I feel lucky to work at a company where everyone from our analysts to our senior management is committed to making a difference in the world,” said Roshnee. “Everyone is so invested and no one ever forgets our mission.”
While not every company is as mission-driven as Roivant, rotational programs will allow you to get to know your colleagues and show you all the reasons they love working there.
As you search for job opportunities after college, consider a rotational program. Whether you’re hoping to develop into one of the company’s future leaders or you just want to figure out what you do best, a rotational program offers professional development, networking, and opportunities for upward mobility. What more could you want in a first job?
Interested in learning more about Roivant Sciences and its Analyst Program?
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