Charlie Griswold
Marketing and Finance double major
Accelerated Development Program Associate for Roche Diagnostics

Why did you declare Marketing and Finance as your majors?
I came in as a Marketing major because I was (and still am) very interested in how companies differentiate themselves and how they portray value to their customers based on what it is that they do or offer. I’m also a huge people person and love building new relationships with those around me, so a combination of these things made Marketing a clear fit. As I started at Butler and finished my first year of classes, I added Finance to help me tap into my analytical side to better understand what a company does after it makes its money. That, plus a strong desire to better understand personal finance so I could put myself in a strong financial position after graduating, made Finance an awesome addition to my Marketing major. Overall, the experiences I got from my two majors gave me a very strong foundation in how a business is managed and gave me a lot of experiences to leverage when looking for somewhere to begin my career.

What is your current position and how did Butler help prepare you for this role?
My current position is in Roche Diagnostics’ Accelerated Development Program, which is a robust 2-year rotational program that gives associates the opportunity to learn and grow in three different departments across the organization. During my time there, I have supported the Pathology Lab franchise with roles in both marketing and pricing, working on projects and initiatives that align with Roche’s mission to improve the lives of all patients afflicted with cancer. 

Butler was instrumental in preparing me for this role largely in part to the wide breadth of experiences I got over my four years through courses and experiential learning and professional development opportunities. Additionally, my student life experiences allowed me to build a strong network through extracurriculars both within and outside of the business school, helping me to develop personally in tandem with my professional development.

What is your favorite part of your job?
I enjoy learning something new every single day. Roche is one of the largest healthcare companies in the world and an industry leader in both diagnostics and pharmaceuticals. In addition to what I’m learning, I have had the privilege to work with some incredible colleagues and mentors across both the United States and global organizations. They have guided me, giving me opportunities to work on projects that directly impact the organization and challenged me to go above and beyond in the work that I do. I couldn’t be happier with the position that I’m in today.

What are your long-term career goals?
Ultimately I would love to be a people leader in one facet or another. I want to eventually have an elevated role where I can have a greater impact in helping Roche deliver on its purpose of doing what patients need next. Additionally, I love the Pathology Lab and the work that I am currently doing, but would eventually love to do an international assignment at one of Roche’s global sites.

What advice do you have for current Butler students?
Get comfortable stepping outside your comfort zone, and leverage those who have come before you. Some of the best opportunities that I have had so far have come from me simply saying “yes” to a project or presentation that I knew nothing about. It’s impossible to know how to do everything right away, and from my experience, no one is expecting you to know how to do something perfectly on your first try. If you can show a willingness to take the initiative and an eagerness to learn, that will say much more about you and your character than only doing what you know or are good at.