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At every stage of her career and her studies – a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in molecular biology in Lebanon, followed by a year at IÉSEG – Rayane EL RIF (who graduated the Master in International Business in 2022) always asked herself the same question: “Will this enable me to contribute to making the world a better place?” Now living in France, she can say a resounding “Yes!”, as she puts her scientific understanding and business/marketing skills to work every day to improve access to healthcare.

Rayane EL RIF, why did you choose to study in France?

I started my career in a small Lebanese company providing regulatory and logistical services for clinical trials. It was there I discovered the exciting world of the pharmaceutical industry and, as is often the case in SMEs, I was given assignments that went beyond my initial responsibilities. After three particularly rewarding years, I felt I was slipping into a comfort zone. It was time for a new challenge: to study and then work in a foreign country. France was the obvious choice for its culture, landscapes and history!

What made you choose IÉSEG?

I found a program that corresponded to all my needs, introducing me to subjects such as marketing, accounting, finance and HR. I also chose the School for its international approach, its accreditations and rankings, but also for the city of Lille, which I really enjoyed discovering. I have nothing but positive things to say about this course, from the quality of the teaching, the links forged with my fellow students from different backgrounds, or our evenings spent putting the world to rights.

How did you go about integrating into the french world of work?

Moving from a small Lebanese company to a large structure in France meant lots of changes: roles are well-defined, procedures more structured and lunch breaks are sacred! Employees are rigorous and hard-working, but everyone respects the notion of free time. This can be seen in conversations such as: “What are you planning to do at the weekend?” or “Where are you going on holiday this summer?” This has encouraged me to take breaks that I wouldn’t necessarily have allowed myself.

Do you plan to continue your career in the pharmaceutical industry?

The further I advance in my career, the more I realize that it’s not enough just to create the right treatment: it has to get to the patient, in spite of the many regulatory and logistical constraints that exist. Working on a daily basis to improve access to healthcare and enhancing people’s quality of life is what motivates me to get up every morning. I’d like to stay in the harmaceutical industry, which is full of challenges, and continue at Novartis because of the many opportunities for development around the world.