Final Reflection
As this experience comes to an end, I feel an immense sense of gratitude for the opportunity to participate at the Lilly del Caribe COOP Program. This experience has been truly transformative and confirmed my desire to dedicate my career to the pharmaceutical industry. I have learned that within the pharmaceutical industry, all types of technical backgrounds are applied to generating solutions for the tasks at hand. Due to this, I saw how my knowledge can be applied to problem solving in multiple areas within the manufacturing process, not just within the typical microbiology scope. I am excited and hopeful for the opprtunities that may present themselves in the future, now that my mind has been opened to the many areas where I can contribute. Through my work with the CCS team, I have not only broadened my understanding of contamination control and cleaning strategies but also discovered my capacity to contribute meaningfully to projects that have a direct impact on improving patients’ lives. I have developed valuable technical skills, such as generating cleaning study and validation protocols, while also engaging in teamwork and problem-solving. This experience allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and tackle challenges that required me to learn new concepts, work multiple projects in parallel, and adapt to different challenges that are presented along the way. A very fulfilling aspect was seeing my academic preparation empower me to navigate complex tasks with confidence, even when the work was unfamiliar. Whether it was analyzing data, ensuring regulatory compliance, or collaborating with my team, I felt a growing sense of competence and adaptability that will most definitely contribute to my future success. Moreover, it was an amazing opportunity to increase my network and create relationships within the industry. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of Lilly del Caribe’s team and culture, and to have worked alongside professionals who are so committed to excellence. This experience was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and inspires me to continue learning and striving for innovation.