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Exploring the Role of a Project Associate at ICON

Posting date: 14/11/2023
Author: Inside ICON

In the bustling world of project management, every day brings new challenges and opportunities. This is especially true for Krishna, who embarked on her journey as a Project Associate at ICON in January 2023. As we delve into a day in her life, Krishna offers us a unique glimpse into the multifaceted role she plays in her role as a Project Associate.

From orchestrating team and client meetings to meticulously handling project documentation, her role is pivotal in steering projects towards success. 

Join us as we explore how Krishnan navigates her day, balancing a rigorous schedule with the dynamic demands of her position, and learn what makes her role both challenging and rewarding.

What does a typical day as a Project Associate involve?

As a Project Associate, my days are a blend of structured project management and personal efficiency. My first task is to sort through emails and team communications, efficiently categorizing them into urgent and important, or important but not urgent tasks. This sets the stage for my day, allowing me to prioritize my workload effectively.

My role involves scheduling project team and client meetings, ensuring everything runs smoothly. This includes sending agendas, booking resources, and preparing meeting materials. I take and distribute meeting minutes, an essential part of maintaining clear communication in our projects.

I keep our project documents meticulously organized. This involves maintaining and distributing key materials like study timelines and project plans, ensuring everyone is on the same page. Developing and maintaining project-specific resources, like process flow charts, contact lists, and organizational charts, are part of my routine tasks.

On busier days, I stay focused with minimal caffeine and a ready-to-eat fruit bowl to maintain hydration. These are the days when managing study-related reporting becomes crucial. I generate and format project material prior to review, ensuring accuracy and clarity.

When the workflow is smoother, I take the opportunity to attend to miscellaneous tasks and personal reminders. I enjoy catching up with colleagues during a coffee break and also make time for small pleasures, like enjoying the view from my window.

Filing and distributing study-related reports is a task that requires attention to detail, which I handle diligently. Once all my tasks are completed, I enjoy a quiet moment with chamomile tea and a newspaper, reflecting on the day's achievements and preparing mentally for the next challenge.

How does ICON support your professional career development?

I have always aspired to be part of a multinational company that contributes to improving patient lives. With my background as a Life Science postgraduate, combined with experience in Omics research and marketing through content writing and HubSpot, I've developed strong skills in data handling, medical terminology, documentation, data management, and spreadsheet use. These skills laid a solid foundation for me to pursue a Project Associate role at ICON.

Since joining ICON, I've been constantly seeking ways to excel professionally within my role. My personal values align seamlessly with those at ICON, facilitating a smooth transition. Additionally, my experience with diverse systems has sharpened my adaptability and learning skills, thereby enhancing my efficiency in study-related tasks.

Which of the ICON Values do you most associate with?

Before joining ICON, I greatly valued agility as an individual. This focus, cultivated during my time in high school and university, instilled a discipline of agility in my daily routine. At ICON, the culture of sustained success and longevity further contributied to my agility. 

As a Project Associate, I embraced this quality from the outset. My agile approach to both short and long-term goals enables me to swiftly assess and streamline potential opportunities. This agility provides a competitive edge, allowing me to excel in various interdisciplinary roles that extend beyond academic-related tasks.

Do you feel you can be your true authentic self at ICON?

I firmly believe that true authenticity can only be achieved in an equally authentic environment. I'm thankful that my workplace embodies this quality of authenticity. In my initial months, I was tasked with a variety of assignments, each demanding different skills - some needed meticulous attention to detail, while others required swift efficiency. In such scenarios, it's crucial for me to be able to express my true self.

My functional manager has been instrumental in guiding me to work both efficiently and passionately, offering opportunities for growth along the way. Furthermore, my Project Management team has fostered a workspace that is comfortable and authentic, which I deeply appreciate. I feel fortunate to be able to bring my authentic self to ICON, and I plan to continue doing so in the future.

What’s your motto or personal mantra?

Ever since my school and university days, I've embraced a personal mantra that I still uphold in my professional life: to infuse joy and purpose into everything I do. Whether it's completing work tasks, enjoying a cup of coffee at my desk, adopting a new lifestyle, following a simple self-care routine, or going to the gym, I ensure that each activity leaves me with a lasting sense of happiness at the end of the day.

Project Associate Opportunities at ICON

If you're interested in exploring a career at ICON, visit our current openings today.

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