Developing innovative medicines and vaccines that improve people’s quality of life is a serious business, and as one of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical companies, Pfizer approaches its work with the precision such business warrants. But Pfizer isn’t just serious about medicine; the company is heavily invested in its corporate social responsibility. And, employee volunteerism is one of the most effective outlets for that responsibility.

For years, Children’s Aid and the young people we serve in New York City have benefited from the tremendous commitment and generous contributions of Pfizer employees. Most recently, on May 23, a passionate team of Pfizer volunteers, organized by Pfizer’s senior manager for U.S. Regulatory Policy and Global Intelligence, Eric Hsu, hosted a fun, engaging career exploration workshop for a group of Children’s Aid teens.

The event featured a career panel consisting of Pfizer employees from a range of different affinity groups: Pfizer Latino College Resource Group, Pfizer African American Network, Out Pfizer Employee Network, and Pfizer Global Asian Alliance. Our young people were able to connect with the panelists, many of whom represented similar backgrounds, while they learned about a wide array of career fields at Pfizer: from engineering to consumer research to finance.  The panelists also opened our young people’s eyes to the varying pathways to those roles, articulating that careers take twists and turns, and it’s essential to take advantage of every opportunity that arises. The event ended with an engaging game that quickly showed our young people how new medicines are developed and subsequently taken to market. Our young people left with a deeper understanding of a sector and important tips on becoming a stronger, more marketable professional.

Children’s Aid remains deeply grateful to Pfizer for its commitment to volunteerism. As a result of Pfizer’s encouraging, acknowledging, and celebrating the deep impact of its employee’s contributions, our young people are better able to realize their full potential as they learn from strong role models, explore sectors and professional pathways, and network. On behalf of the children and youth we serve, we thank Pfizer and its exemplary volunteers.