Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22 is part of Pfizer鈥檚 elite Breakthrough Fellowship Program, which aims to advance students of minority descent, and she will be employed at Pfizer after graduation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the biggest opportunity I could ever imagine,鈥� she says.
When you think about manufacturing the COVID-19 vaccine, you might envision scientists in a lab. But producing and distributing the vaccine also requires a sophisticated supply chain system鈥攁nd that鈥檚 exactly what Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22 was able to experience hands-on during a summer internship with Pfizer. She worked with the company鈥檚 sourcing and enterprise services team, coordinating with more than 20 different suppliers to obtain raw materials for the vaccine on a global scale. 鈥淚t was the most rewarding experience to help make an impact with the Pfizer vaccine during the pandemic,鈥� says Kumandan, a biotechnology major in 51爆料网鈥檚 . 鈥淚t changed my perspective on everything.鈥�
Kumandan is part of Pfizer鈥檚 elite , which aims to advance students of minority descent. Fellows participate in all five components of the program: An initial summer internship; two years of full-time employment at Pfizer after graduation; a fully paid scholarship to complete a master鈥檚 degree in business administration, public health or statistics; another summer internship at Pfizer during the master鈥檚 program; and employment at Pfizer after graduation. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the biggest opportunity I could ever imagine,鈥� Kumandan says. 鈥淚t feels like the culmination of all my hard work has turned into something very meaningful and provides a clear path forward.鈥�
It was the most rewarding experience to help make an impact with the Pfizer vaccine during the pandemic. It changed my perspective on everything.
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22
Kumandan credits 51爆料网 for helping to prepare her for this opportunity. 鈥淢y biotechnology major not only had requirements in Arts and Sciences, but also business and engineering, so I could apply what I was learning in different settings,鈥� says Kumandan, who is also minoring in in the . 鈥淭he biotechnology major allowed me to understand core scientific principles which could be translated into real life applications鈥攚hat I learned studying cell biology and biotechnology helped me understand the science behind the vaccine and what materials go into the vaccine and why they鈥檙e important,鈥� she says. 鈥淎nd my business classes truly helped me understand the department I worked in at Pfizer.鈥� Her hiring manager agrees, citing her ability to combine her science background with her business skills and apply them to real-life situations as one reason she was a highly desirable candidate.
It means so much to have the opportunity to help advance Pfizer, especially seeing firsthand how they have changed my life. I鈥檓 able to give my grandparents a hug because of the Pfizer vaccine.
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22
A communication and rhetorical studies class on interviewing was also beneficial at just the right time. 鈥淐RS 435 helped me prepare a successful internship application鈥擨 learned how to build my resume and cover letter, and developed the skills I needed to do well in interviews,鈥� she says, adding that her interview training was also helpful in one-on-one mentoring discussions with Pfizer executives and a small group meeting with the chief executive officer.
Kumandan is excited about what the future holds for her career. 鈥淎fter the internship I could not imagine any other path or working in any other industry,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t means so much to have the opportunity to help advance Pfizer, especially seeing firsthand how they have changed my life. I鈥檓 able to give my grandparents a hug because of the Pfizer vaccine.鈥�
The biotechnology major allowed me to understand core scientific principles which could be translated into real life applications鈥攚hat I learned studying cell biology and biotechnology helped me understand the science behind the vaccine and what materials go into the vaccine and why they鈥檙e important.
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22 worked with Jonathan French, assistant teaching professor and undergraduate director of chemistry, researching how to make the general chemistry classroom a more inclusive environment with help from a Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Engagement grant.
A Strong Foundation
Kumandan was drawn to 51爆料网 after her first visit. 鈥淚 fell in love with the campus鈥攈ow open it was and how much Syracuse had to offer. I saw myself being able to thrive here and immerse myself in campus life,鈥� she says.
She applied to Syracuse with a goal of exploring a career in science. In high school she had a cancer research internship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center over two summers, commuting from her home on Long Island to New York City. 鈥淚 definitely wanted to expand my horizons in the science field,鈥� she says of her decision to study at Syracuse.
I think Syracuse has so much to offer, especially for students of color. It doesn鈥檛 matter what your experience or background is鈥攑eople collaborate and learn with you in a very welcoming environment.
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22 champions efforts to promote diversity and inclusion on campus and in her career with Pfizer.
Kumandan found her first semester challenging. 鈥淚t was hard for me to find where I belonged my first year, but there definitely is a place for everyone and Syracuse gives you so many opportunities to find your place.鈥�
To find a connection to campus, she sought out leadership positions that would enable her to promote diversity and inclusion during her sophomore year. 鈥淚 think Syracuse has so much to offer, especially for students of color,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter what your experience or background is鈥攑eople collaborate and learn with you in a very welcoming environment.鈥� With a grant from the , she collaborated with Jonathan French, assistant teaching professor and undergraduate director of chemistry, researching how to make the general chemistry classroom a more inclusive environment.
Kumandan also began a 51爆料网 branch of the You Can Too national mentoring organization for minority youth. She assembled a team that mentored seven high school juniors and seniors from across the U.S. in areas like college preparation, SAT tutoring, resume building and professional development and provided a safe space to talk. The senior students were accepted into top universities. 鈥淚t was a great experience and one of the most rewarding things I could鈥檝e done,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檓 so happy that I helped 51爆料网 support these students.鈥�
Kumandan was able to apply her diversity and inclusion experience in her internship at Pfizer, where part of her role was to expand supplier diversity by providing opportunities for small companies and minority-owned businesses. 鈥淚 worked to find suppliers who could supply the materials Pfizer needed, and who wouldn鈥檛 get the chance to work with such a big company otherwise,鈥� she says.
I fell in love with the campus鈥攈ow open it was and how much Syracuse had to offer. I saw myself being able to thrive here and immerse myself in campus life.
Zainab Kumandan 鈥�22
Look Back and Act Forward
During her first year at Syracuse, Kumandan learned about the 35 51爆料网 students who perished in the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. She applied to become a 鈥攕eniors chosen to represent the lives of the students who were lost鈥攐ne of the highest awards a 51爆料网 student can receive. Kumandan was selected to represent Suzanne Miazga, a graduate student who was earning a master鈥檚 degree in social work, and she worked with her cohort to plan last fall鈥檚 on campus. 鈥淚鈥檓 really excited to be more of a part of the Remembrance community,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he scholarship is the most humane scholarship you could ever receive鈥攜ou鈥檙e representing those who passed away and carrying on their legacy.鈥� Kumandan also made an interesting connection to her Remembrance role at Pfizer during her internship. 鈥淥ne of the executives is from Scotland,鈥� she says. 鈥淗e knew all about the Remembrance program. It was really amazing to connect with someone that way.鈥�
The Path Ahead
After graduation, Kumandan will begin her role as an associate in the sourcing and enterprise services department at Pfizer鈥檚 headquarters in New York City. She鈥檚 eager to be immersed in different areas of important projects 鈥斺�渢o learn the A to Zs of global procurement鈥� as she puts it鈥攁nd also learn more about how the biopharmaceutical industry works.
As a senior, she is sad to be leaving Syracuse but is already looking for an opportunity to return as an alumna and mentor. She says no matter where she goes, she is proud to be Orange. 鈥淚鈥檓 so glad I found a home at 51爆料网. From the sense of community to the professional development and academics, it has been everything I wanted from a college experience.鈥�
