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Culture and Career Growth Attract Gen-Z to BMS Nordic Region

May 1, 2023
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Careers Home  /  Career Stories  /  Culture and Career Growth Attract Gen-Z to BMS Nordic Region
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Bristol Myers Squibb’s mission to provide life-changing medicines to patients involves the work of many different teams, in every capacity, and in many different countries. International in outlook, local in culture — and always patient-focused — BMS’s global locations provide avenues for early-career professionals to develop meaningful careers and make a positive impact in the world.

Lydia Hakansson and Morten Jensen, recent hires at BMS in the Nordic region, which encompasses Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, are two such colleagues. They represent the kind of talent — including those from non-scientific backgrounds like finance and marketing – who choose BMS as they begin their career journeys. They welcome the challenges their respective roles offer, as well as the opportunities to continue to learn and grow as future leaders.

Sweden: The Importance of Financial Planning and Analysis

Lydia Hakansson, Manager in Financial Planning & Analysis at BMS in Stockholm, Sweden
Lydia Hakansson, Manager in Financial Planning & Analysis at BMS in Stockholm, Sweden

Lydia is a Manager in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) at BMS in Stockholm, having started her career shortly after completing her master’s degree in accounting, valuation, and financial management. When she started her studies, earning first a bachelor’s degree in business and economics, she didn’t initially think it would lead to a career in biopharma.

“I knew I was interested in business and economics but did not have a specific career path in mind,” she recalled. “For my master’s degree, I decided to focus specifically on accounting and financial management.” Lydia interned for companies in different industries before she started at BMS. “Pharma was not at all obvious to me, and what brought me there was more of a coincidence.”

It wasn’t until Lydia came across a flyer advertising a finance internship at BMS that she was even aware that BMS had a presence in Sweden. She initially applied just for the experience, but she was aware that the internship seemed to align well with her academic background. It was also part-time, which would allow her to intern while still working toward her advanced degree.

This experience opened the door to her full-time role at BMS. Being new to the workforce, she understood the transition would have its challenges, but she recognized how valuable it would be for her development.

“It was a steep learning curve, initially,” she said. “One of the first things I got to work on when brought on full time was to temporarily support the Finnish market. It was hands-on and market-facing with a lot of planning and interaction with other people. And it was also a great way to learn and understand the business.”She credits her colleagues for being so welcoming.

“They didn’t expect me to be perfect,” Lydia said. “Sometimes I made mistakes, but they assured me that was okay as long as you learn from them.”

While her work in finance doesn’t directly involve patients, Lydia knows how she contributes to BMS’s mission. “It’s important that patients get their medicines, and knowing that, financial analysis takes on a more meaningful role for me.”

Denmark: Digital Innovation for the Benefit of Patients

Morten Jensen, Associate Brand Lead, BMS Denmark
Morten Jensen, Associate Brand Lead, BMS Denmark

For Morten, Associate Brand Lead, BMS was on his radar while he was in business school in Copenhagen. He wrote and presented his master’s thesis in a group of three on how Bristol Myers Squibb could use digital platforms to share brand communications with healthcare providers.

“There was an opportunity to write a master’s thesis about BMS,” he said. “I thought pharma would be interesting from a digital perspective because this was during the COVID-19 pandemic, and not all pharma companies were embracing digital approaches at that point.”

After he earned his degree, a BMS employee who was part of Morten’s thesis committee reached out to ask if he was interested in applying for a new opening — his current role. It was while he was working on his thesis that he discovered what the company’s mission could mean to him as an upcoming marketer and brand lead.

“I learned how much impact BMS has on patients’ lives, which was very inspiring,” he said. “I felt that being part of that every day would make for some meaningful and worthwhile work. So, when the opportunity came to join BMS full time doing more than an academic exercise – doing work that actually helped people – that was very motivating.”

The Nordics: Work Culture that Changes Lives

For Gen-Z professionals like Lydia and Morten, BMS offers a work environment that reflects, supports, and sustains their personal values such as gender parity, professional development, flexible work arrangements, and sustainability. They and their peers look to BMS as an employer of choice — not only for the transformative opportunities to make a difference, but also for the chance to thrive in a diverse and inclusive culture. Whether you’re in the Nordics or elsewhere in the world, consider starting your career journey with us.

If you like what you read about BMS in the Nordic region, explore these country specific websites for opportunities to start your career journey with us.

BMS Sweden careers

BMS Norway careers

BMS Finland careers

BMS Denmark careers

Like all positions at BMS, this is interesting and meaningful work that transforms patients’ lives, as well as the lives of those who do that work.