When Anshika first received the email confirming her internship at ZS, she was both excited and uncertain. As with any new experience, questions filled her mind. “Would I make an impact? How would I fit in? What would life at ZS be like?”

Fast forward a year, and Anshika’s journey from intern to full-time associate has been one of personal and professional growth, guided by the very values that define ZS—collaboration, impact and a commitment to improving life and how we live it.

Anshika started her internship while still in college. “I was terrified,” she admits. “This was my first job, the start of my career and I didn’t know what to expect. I saw so many people in the office sitting in front of their laptops, and I felt like—how am I going to fit in? Will I understand things?”

ZS’s supportive culture quickly put those fears to rest. From the structured boot camp that introduced her to the company’s way of working to the warmth of her teammates, she found herself in an environment that encouraged curiosity and learning. “I kept going. I got to meet teammates of varying levels, from associates to principals, and asked questions that helped me build confidence in my work,” she says.

During her internship at ZS, Anshika worked on key account management within the market access team for a pharmaceutical client. Her role involved handling and analyzing data that connected key stakeholders—market access managers, the company and healthcare providers—to ensure smooth transitions from research to market for pharmaceutical products. She used tools like SQL, Python and PySpark to process and manage pharma-level data, including healthcare provider and quality-of-service metrics.

Initially focused on executing tasks assigned by leadership, she gradually gained a deeper understanding of how her work contributed to making medicines more accessible and improving market efficiency. “Seeing the data I worked on featured on the client’s website helped me realize the full impact of my work,” she shares. “I started understanding the relevance of what I’m doing. It makes me happy to see my work improving life for others.”

One of the most significant aspects of Anshika’s journey at ZS was the people. “The energy everyone has—you never feel like, ‘Oh, today I have to stretch a little extra,’ because there will be 10 people ready to work with you and ready to help you at the same time,” she says.

Her team played a crucial role in her transition from intern to a full-time associate. Whether it was answering every question she had or pushing her out of her comfort zone, her mentors and colleagues were always there.

“I now understand why people stay at ZS for years,” she says. “It’s the impact you create, the relevance of your work and, most importantly, the people.”

Today, as a full-time associate, Anshika continues to grow, fueled by the opportunities and support she receives at ZS. She has also taken on the role of guiding new interns—passing on the lessons she has learned and ensuring that they, too, feel welcomed and empowered.

Anshika’s two key pieces of advice for incoming interns highlight curiosity and communication. “Rather than spending hours trying to figure something out, just ask,” she shares. “No one will make you feel stupid for asking—they will make sure you understand.”

And regular check-ins with her mentors helped her understand expectations and align her career goals with her work. “They kept me grounded and kept pushing me to do better,” she says.

At ZS, it’s not just about work—it’s about creating a meaningful career, being part of a community and ultimately improving life and how we live it. Explore open opportunities to join our team.

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