Harnessing Innovation Inspiration from our Environments

The environment around us as we reach the age of 22 has a great impact on our lives. Being born, raised and attending college in California has certainly shaped who I am. Its spirit of innovation and disruption is unlike anywhere else in the world, and I did not realize this until I left California, and lived in different cultures around the world.  With some of the best universities, leading companies, cutting-edge technology and breakthrough science you can find inspiration for great ideas anywhere. It is this spirit that has motivated me throughout my career to always be looking to the next discovery and constantly be reimagining the way things are done.

Now, the inventive mindset of California has spread throughout the world. Communities of high-level idea sharing exist everywhere. Twenty-two year olds today should draw insights from these surroundings in learning how to take risks, embrace change, and reinvent their way of thinking as they set out on their career paths. This can be accomplished through focusing on the following areas.

Going the unconventional route

Growing up in California taught me to not always make the obvious decision. I made a big shift when I took a job in the pharmaceutical industry. I had a great interest in healthcare, but I am not a scientist. I knew that my skillset and my fresh outlook on the industry could ultimately help me position Novartis well in a changing world.  I was challenged by a huge learning curve, to learn the science and the industry. But by taking it head on and immersing myself in the industry I was able to expand my experience and adaptability exponentially. Graduates should push themselves out of their comfort zones to take an unconventional direction in their career, or in life. It will ultimately help them grow.

Seeing change as a constant

In places like Silicon Valley change is part of the culture. Now in our current business environment, change is the only constant. In order to survive, individuals entering the workplace must learn how to remain agile, adapting to changes in their external world, always challenging the way things have been done. Although change brings with it uncertainty, dealing with it is the only way to ultimately achieve great success. For healthcare, this means adapting to the transforming needs and expectations of our patients. At the same time, we have to manage industry headwinds and economic challenges.

Keeping up with market shifts

In innovative environments, people and organizations are constantly watching the market, looking for transitions and reinventions. Twenty-two year olds should use this direction to evolve the way they operate to endure and excel. Today, technologies are transforming daily life for people around the world in ways never before thought possible, and at a rapid pace. In the healthcare industry we need to take advantage of using cutting edge science, like immuno-oncology, to help extend and improve the lives of patients. It can be a huge risk to take bets on areas with unknowns. But in the end it is worth it when the benefits are potentially so great.

From California and throughout the world, twenty-two year olds today are presented with the tools and environments to have a big impact on the world. They will be constantly challenged to push boundaries and develop the next great solution. I encourage all graduates this year to take advantage of this momentum to propel their career forward and constantly challenge their thinking.