BD has leadership programs for new grads

Bachelors and masters students in IT-related areas will join the ITLP. College seniors in engineering majors should apply to the MDP. Both can lead to management roles

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has several leadership development programs for new grads, including an Information Technology Leadership Program (ITLP) and a Manufacturing Development Program (MDP). They differ in focus, but both give participants a clear career path to senior management.

BD is a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. BD focuses on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD employs more than 29,000 people in fifty countries.

The ITLP was established in 2004. "The program accelerates development of early-career associates," says Justin Devers, ITLP leader. "When they complete the program, they are ready, willing and able to jump into any IT project."

Mentors are an important part of the program. They come from senior management levels, and include managers, directors and vice presidents. Devers works with ITLP participants to successfully match them with mentors, who help them determine where to spend their rotations.

"Having senior-level individuals actively engaged in the program opens opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be possible," says Elyse Robertson, North America university relations manager.

Both programs connect with minority professional organizations to recruit diverse candidates. Company representatives attend NSBE, SHPE and other minority organization national conferences. On campus, local representatives work with department heads to arrange information sessions and attend career fairs.

"We try to stay in touch with local chapters of minority organizations," says Robertson. "Keeping them involved helps us find the people we need."

ITLP participants rotate through various facets of the IT organization during the three-year program. Working in four different specialties over that period can help refine their career goals.

ITLP program participants typically have bachelors or masters degrees in CS, computer engineering, management information systems, IT or other business IT-related majors. Before graduation, students can intern through ITLP; ITLP interns are considered for fulltime ITLP placements.

"IT can be ambiguous," Devers says. "Working with different managers and different management styles gives them exposure to different experiences."

The three-year Manufacturing Development Program was established in 1993 at individual manufacturing sites across the country. MDP associates move every year to a different geographic location and different projects. Products vary, making the manufacturing experience different at each location. MDP participants may work with the manufacturing process, equipment design or in quality control.

"Manufacturing sites are where the action is. We are a very high-volume manufacturer," says Gerrit Moyer, a customer quality manager who manages the MDP. "It's a good way to get broad experience in a short amount of time."

All MDP applicants are college seniors in mechanical, manufacturing, industrial or other engineering majors. "The MDP benefits the company as well as the person," Moyer says. "We are building the future manufacturing leaders of BD."