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Summary for: Rethinking career growth: How MSD lets employees try new jobs from withinMichaela Mravcová, an agile and product management coach, was confident she could make a difference in the rapid strategy experiment project involving a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer and some other HPV-associated cancers. The only obstacle? Michaela M. was working in data and analytics in MSD’s Prague tech hub, and the project was running at MSD’s Innovation and Strategy unit in Brazil, specifically for that market.
As far as she knew, her work for the central IT unit in Prague had little connection to the hands-on business problem Brazil was aiming to solve. However, thanks to MSD’s rotation program, her dream of getting closer to solving business problems and making a tangible difference became a reality last year.
Thanks to the rotation in São Paulo, I was able to bring in my unique skill set with a niche focus on product strategy and design thinking to accelerate innovation, gain a deeper understanding of the company’s business, and build strong connections with my Brazilian counterparts,” she said.
This specialized rotation program enables employees to develop their talents at MSD projects worldwide, stepping into new teams and roles that expand their skills and open up unexpected career paths. The result is a company culture built on movement, learning, and shared purpose.
How short-term gigs and rotations work
At any organization, it can be a challenge to get promoted or develop your talent without first proving yourself in a new position. It’s a Catch-22; you can’t get ahead without getting more experience, but you can’t get more experience without proving that you have the skills for the next level.
MSD’s tech center in Prague has solved this challenge.
The global biopharmaceutical company offers ambitious employees the opportunity to try out different short-term projects within the firm, which enhance professional connections, skills, and experience.
This hands-on experience was something I could never have gained from a distance,” said Michaela M. “It significantly enriched my understanding of the vaccine landscape in Brazil.”
How does the program work exactly? Gigs are short-term assignments promoted internally through MSD’s job board. Employees dedicate a few hours a week to a project either locally in their home country or remotely for up to six months, while keeping their main role.
Rotations, offered through the Global IT Exchange Program, are more structured. Open to applicants in Prague and Singapore twice a year, the program lasts three weeks and places participants on projects at MSD sites in 30 countries.
A two-way exchange of knowledge and culture
The learning in rotations is mutual, according to Nikola Nováková, Senior Specialist, IT Talent Enablement in Prague. Most business cases focus on data analytics, ranging from transforming Excel files into actionable business intelligence to creating an app that onboards new employees at manufacturing sites.
Exchanges are connected to solving specific business cases which help participants to learn, grow, and connect with hosting teams,” she explained. “Hosting teams get the opportunity to learn from IT professionals and solve some IT issues they might have. For our IT employees, it is a great opportunity to meet new teams, new cultures, and learn more about our business.”
“Participants always come back full of new inspiration, excitement, and are super motivated,” she continues. “The programs are not only beneficial for the employee, but also for the whole team, building the bridge between IT and business, and often the start of new cooperation and projects."
Global rotations that challenge and inspire
Italy, Turkey, Morocco, and Switzerland offer some of the most sought-after opportunities for exchanges, according to Nikola. The rigorous screening process includes interviews with hosting managers and human resources, motivation letters, and an assessment center where candidates take part in team exercises and simulations to demonstrate motivation, suitability, and problem-solving skills.
Michal Gajdos, a business and tech analyst with expertise in web analytics, waited two years to get the right opportunity within the Global IT Exchange Program. He was able to advance the tracking and analysis of customers, revenue, orders, and products at MSD’s Human Health Digital, Data & Analytics center in Lucerne, Switzerland.
Beyond the scope of data analysis, he was able to engross himself in his surroundings and take advantage of the local culture. “I was curious about what the country looks like outside the office, as I am a curious person and a travel enthusiast,” said Michal. “I wanted to see at least something I knew from documents or stories.”
He chose to visit Wengen, drawn by his enthusiasm for the Super-G downhill, one of the most famous runs stretching from the Lauberhorn mountain down to the village. “I can say that the beauty of the surroundings cannot be expressed in words or photos. It is simply magnificent.”
From side projects to leadership opportunities
Last year, the internal MSD marketplace promoted 84 gigs in the Czech Republic. Some were related to supporting the efforts of employee resource groups.
Michaela Havel Švarcová, an IT Diversity & Inclusion Specialist who has worked on multiple gigs, spent one supporting the strategy of the Global Diversity & Inclusion Center of Excellence.
Michaela S. also got the green light from her manager to work on a long-term leadership gig, which meant becoming the global leader of the Rainbow Alliance Employee Business Resource Group, overseeing 42 chapters and more than 5,000 members worldwide.
The gig provided valuable opportunities to develop leadership and strategic skills, as well as insights from various business units across the company,” she said. Her regular workload was adjusted so that she could fulfill such a demanding gig.
Michaela M. agrees with the opportunities the program afforded her. “In São Paulo, we created some solid long-lasting connections, proudly introduced our CDNA services and offering, and supported a meaningful business initiative…Even in 2025, nothing beats a personal handshake and an opportunity to present what your team does in person.”
She also said the exchange boosted her confidence and expanded her network for supporting initiatives beyond the 9-5, such as well-being activities. She also fell deeply in love with her temporary home, and the beauty of Brazil left a lasting impression on her.
Whether developing a vaccine strategy in Brazil, analyzing data in Switzerland, or leading global inclusion initiatives, MSD employees are proving that career growth does not have to mean leaving your company. Programs like these keep talent inspired, connected, and ready to tackle new challenges—wherever in the world they may be.
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