Internships are a great way to boost your employability skills and confidence, as well as learn all about a particular role and employer – ready for what might come next on your career path!
But they can also be the first stepping into a rewarding career with the company you intern at!
This is something Kiana Paden knows all too well after starting her career journey with CSL as an intern before progressing into a full-time position with the company.
We caught up with Kiana to learn more about her intern experiences, her transition into her current role, and her work-life at CSL:
Hi, Kiana! Let’s start with your internship – what was your job title as an intern at CSL, and what did you do in that role?
During my internship, I was the Business Technology Quality & Applications Intern on the TrackWise team. I was involved in a variety of tasks and duties, including:
- Performing usability testing of TrackWise Project Records and Reports in Quality Control Vera
- Developing, processing, and approving TrackWise documentation in systems.
- Configuring user and testing accounts in all TrackWise environments.
What is your current job title and responsibilities?
My current title is ‘Packaging Quality Assurance Operations Specialist II, and my main responsibilities include:
- Assisting in investigations, determining root causes, and performing interviews for deviations,
- On-call for immediate inspections, investigations, and review of good manufacturing process related issues
- Performing internal department audits and support to other departments
- Executing awareness training and good manufacturing practice changes to department personnel
- Performing regular Acceptable Quality Level assessments and enter results into online information system
How did you transition from an intern into a full-time position?
After completing my internship, I was initially contracted into a part-time position to backfill a role in the TrackWise team.
Unfortunately, due to company structural changes, the role was recalled. Luckily though, my managers and supervisors in Business Technology pulled together to help me get the position I have today.
Even though this role was a big step up for me as I had no experience, it’s been a great learning opportunity, and I’m very happy I took it! I’ve learned how to work better independently, how to work with people from different backgrounds, and how to better present myself professionally.
What is your favorite part about working at CSL?
My favorite part about working at CSL is the people and the culture.
Many people from my internship have helped me get to where I am today. I have met, trained, and worked with so many people from different backgrounds and cultures.
It is honestly a great experience!
What advice would you give your former high school self when seeking out companies to work for?
I would tell my high school self to take more initiative. You are your biggest critic, but also, no one will advocate for you more than you can advocate for yourself.
I would tell myself to try something new, try a new field, learn a new skill, don’t undersell yourself because you are afraid to fail.
There are a lot of people out there who are willing to help you, but you have to help yourself first.
We couldn’t agree with that last comment more! Thanks so much, Kiana, for sharing your story with us!
CSL is a leading global biotechnology company with a dynamic portfolio of lifesaving medicines, including those that treat haemophilia, immune deficiencies, and vaccines to prevent influenza.
Ready to find out more? Head over to the dedicated CSL Employer Profile right here on Explore Careers!
