The 2020 Summer Student Worker Program Goes Virtual

When COVID-19 began to force shutdowns all over the United States in early 2020, Pfizer’s Summer Student Worker program was in jeopardy. Could the program — which offers summer employment opportunities at various Pfizer sites in the country – continue virtually, while still providing a meaningful experience to both students and supervisors?

A decision was made that the 2020 program would remain, and 389 college and university students accepted positions in a range of departments – from data science to digital operations, legal, media, and more. All positions were completed remotely. This year’s Summer Student Workers also comprised a more diverse group than ever before, with 67% of the interns who self-reported identifying?themselves as coming from under-represented communities, like people of color and low-income students.

“I interned at Pfizer during a movement, not a moment,” said Gxila Dorvilus, who completed an internship in Pfizer’s Diversity & Inclusion group. Dorvilus learned about the Summer Student Worker program through INROADS, an organization that provides business mentorship and placement opportunities to ethnically diverse students.

In the video below, Dorvilus and a group of her fellow interns share how they made the most out of their summer experience, even without the in-person networking and informational experiences the program typically offers.