5 Questions With Katherine Wischerath, Business Development Manager, PQE Group
October 10, 2023
| This article is part of our 5 Questions With series, one of our ongoing People & Places Features. We love it because despite the consistent questioning, the answers are all unique. Be sure to FOLLOW us on LinkedIn to tell us what you think. |
Today’s “5 Questions” introduces you to Katie Wischerath, a Business Development Manager for PQE Group in the US. Katie will be attending the 2023 ISPE Annual Meeting & Expo in Las Vegas next week, so if you are going to the Conference, be sure to find Katie at Exhibit Booth 900 and say hello!
1. Please introduce yourself to our audience by looking back at your education, training, and career path.
My name is Katie Wischerath and I am a Business Development Manager at PQE Group. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a minor in Italian. My degree provided me with a strong understanding of the laboratory and research. Although I did not go into research after college, I did work in a QAQC laboratory at a water treatment facility for a year and a half. I learned a great deal while working in the laboratory, but I started to realize that this was not going to be my long term career. When I came across my current role at PQE Group, I was intrigued by the challenge that I was up against, and having to learn a new skill set. Having my background in science and the lab helped me have a better understanding of PQE as a whole.
2. Can you share more about your specific role at PQE Group? What are your main goals in this role, and what’s your favorite part about your job?
There are a lot of different areas that I support in my specific role at PQE Group. I communicate PQE Group’s solution portfolio to new and existing clients, help identify potential new clients and companies to help expand PQE Group’s US footprint, and help develop proposals and collaborate cross-functionally following each new project kick off to support the success of the US team and project consultants. In addition, I oversee a smaller team of Business Development Coordinators and help them with their training, pitches, any questions they have and more.
My main goal in this role is to continue to grow as the company grows, and learn new skill sets for myself such as leadership, dealing with conflicts, and managing a team.
My favorite part about my job is the team and building relationships with clients. I enjoy speaking with clients to learn more about their career path, how they got to their current role, and even their favorite sports team. It is interesting to hear about everyone’s paths because they are not always the conventional route; it’s also nice to get to know the client outside of just work talk.
3. Can you tell us more about why companies should consider partnering with PQE Group and what type of services you offer to your clients?
Of course! PQE Group is a Complete Quality Solutions provider that specializes in support for the life science industry, specifically in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, medical cannabis and start-ups. PQE Group helps companies navigate the complex GxP rules and regulations from different governing bodies globally.
PQE Group offers a wide range of services specifically tailored to meet the client’s needs. Ranging from Computer System Validation and Data Integrity, to Digital Governance, to Qualification and Engineering, Laboratory, Quality and Regulatory support, to Third Party Audits, PQE Group can provide end-to-end solutions and/or support at any phase of a project.
PQE Group is a global entity with 41 offices globally and has an extensive network that allows us to serve our clients around the world. Being a global company we are able to offer local and global support no matter how big or small the project – or the client’s company – may be.
When you partner with PQE Group, companies can benefit from a team with a vast range of knowledge on many different topics to ensure that quality, compliance, and regulatory needs are being met and risks are mitigated. PQE Group also takes an economic approach for its clients, whether for optimizing operational efficiency or cost.
4. Consulting is becoming a popular career path, particularly for scientists and medical professionals. What, in your opinion, are the top skills needed to be successful in a life science-focused consulting role?
I would say the top skills needed to be successful in a life science-focused consulting role are:
Motivation: It is important to be motivated to continue to learn as the life science industry is always changing.
Ask Questions: To piggy-back off the first point, it is always important to ask questions no matter how big or small, because it helps you learn something new or clarify any confusion you may have.
Organization: With many cold reach-outs, calls, and emails it is important to stay organized so a ball does not get dropped with new and especially with existing clients.
Project Management: It is important to have project management skills due to many projects simultaneously kicking off or ending.
Multi-tasking: This might be the most important skill required; since you are juggling many things at once, it is important to have everything organized so you can continue excelling at your job.
5. Now for the fun question – what is the best piece of advice that you’ve ever been given?
The best piece of advice I have been given is put your best foot forward each day and do not take life too seriously.
I remind myself of this quite often, because I sometimes stress myself out over small details in my professional and personal life. It is important to have fun with what you do — when you are doing that work does not seem like work.
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