On trust, culture, and what recognitions such as Best Workplace in the Netherlands and LinkedIn Top Company mean in everyday practice.
Behind the recognition
Amgen has recently once again been recognized as one of the country’s leading employers, with awards from Great Place to Work® and a place on the LinkedIn Top Companies list. These are valuable acknowledgements, but what do they really say about what it is like to work here?
Luna Engelschman
For Luna Engelschman, Senior Associate Marketing in the cardiovascular team and Chair of Culture Connect, the answer is not found in a title or ranking. It is found in the way colleagues work together, encourage one another and create a sense of trust.
“One of the things that really stood out to me when I joined Amgen was how warmly I was welcomed,” Luna says. “Everyone is incredibly engaged. I expected Amgen to perhaps be a bit more formal, but people are very personal and always willing to help.”
A culture of encouragement
Luna sees that sense of engagement every day. Successes are celebrated, colleagues are recognized, and there is genuine appreciation for people’s contributions.
“We often look at what can be improved, but we also really take the time to acknowledge what we are doing well,” she says. “People encourage each other. No one is here just for themselves. We truly are a team.”
One moment that stayed with her was a presentation she had felt nervous about. Afterwards, several colleagues spontaneously complimented her. “The fact that people took the time to say that to me really made me feel recognized,” Luna says. “I am a perfectionist and can be quite critical of myself, so that kind of spontaneous encouragement meant a lot.”
Trust in practice
For Luna, trust is not an abstract concept. It becomes visible in everyday behavior: being given autonomy, feeling able to share your opinion and having the space to learn. “At a certain point, I really felt: my opinion matters,” she explains. “That gave me the confidence to ask questions or share my perspective. And even when someone does not agree with you, it is handled in a relaxed and positive way.”
That trust also includes the freedom to make mistakes. A colleague once advised Luna to set herself the goal of making a few mistakes that year. “I had never heard that before,” she says. “But here, there is room to make mistakes, learn from them and reflect on what they teach you about yourself.”
Culture Connect
As Chair of Culture Connect, Luna is especially aware of the importance of connection within Amgen. Culture Connect organizes activities that help colleagues get to know each other better, both professionally and personally.
One example was a workshop on different generations in the workplace, which sparked meaningful conversations. “A workshop like that opens your eyes,” Luna says. “We all grew up in different times. What feels obvious to me may not be obvious to someone else.”
More than a title
Does Luna recognize Amgen in acknowledgements such as Best Workplace and LinkedIn Top Company?
“Yes, absolutely,” she says. “There is so much recognition for what you do. You truly feel heard. You do not feel like a number, even though we are part of a large organization. You feel part of a shared mission: serving patients.”
For new colleagues, Luna has one clear piece of advice: take the time to truly settle in. “Give yourself the space to do that and enjoy it,” she says. “You will never walk into Amgen for the first time again. That first period is the most special: you see everything with fresh eyes and you still have so much to learn. Hold on to that curiosity and eagerness to keep learning.”