For Robin Stocking, her employer’s community affairs programs represent more than just initiatives; they are personal passions. She works for Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Their unique research has focused on cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, beta thalassemia, kidney disease, pain, type 1 diabetes, and more.
Alongside the company’s groundbreaking work, Vertex and the Vertex Foundation create opportunities for community outreach and scholarships, including Learning Labs where students can explore their interests in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Stocking’s hometown, San Diego, is one of three Vertex Learning Lab hubs.
“The Learning Lab is the most impactful for me because I was born and raised in Southeast San Diego and have deep connections with schools and students that attend the inner-city schools that I once attended,” says the administrative assistant. “I have participated in the Learning Lab since it started here and was a manager and mentor for the first year of our high school internship. Those experiences meant the world to me because I was able to help young students build their confidence within a short amount of time. I wish I had mentors when I was an insecure young woman.”
It’s those experiences that make her job more than a job—and statistically, put her on the path to being happier at work than people without company-led programs that focus on providing local support and volunteerism. According to a recent study, employees who participate in workplace volunteer programs are more likely than nonparticipants to express satisfaction with their jobs (79 percent versus 55 percent), more likely to be satisfied with their opportunities for professional growth (70 percent versus 39 percent), and more likely to be satisfied with their salary and benefits (69 percent versus 45 percent). Strong, community-driven initiatives can profoundly enhance employees’ sense of connection and purpose, driving fulfillment on every level.
We spoke to Stocking and a few of her colleagues about the impact community involvement has had on their careers at Vertex. These are the three ways working for a community-centered employer can positively impact your work life.
1. You’ll work for a company that lives its values
Seventy-six percent of employees believe a well-defined business strategy (a mission, a vision, and core values) helps cultivate a positive work culture. And according to Vertex employees, a company that takes steps to ensure it embodies those values internally and externally solidifies itself as a great place to work.
“Vertex is truly a wonderful place to work mainly because of my colleagues and their dedication to helping people who are living with serious diseases,” Thomas Quinn, a package engineering senior specialist, says. “I feel a great sense of belonging at Vertex and beyond my day-to-day, I feel like there is ample opportunity to give back to the community through our Global Week of Service, Learning Labs, Vertex Foundation, etc.”
That time and investment in the community is an essential part of the company’s culture, which Ana Carolina Santos, vice president of international pricing and market access, traces back to core values and the company's patient-first mindset.
“It demonstrates our commitment to not just being a leader in scientific innovation, but also to being a responsible and caring corporate citizen,” says Santos. “Our investment in the community is an extension of our unique and special culture, where we prioritize making a positive impact on society. By putting patients first, we ensure that our scientific advancements translate into real world benefits, for individuals, their families, and their communities.”
Stocking says the community is felt in the workplace, too, which is important. “Vertex is a great place to work because your voice will be heard, and you will be seen,” she says. “I am surrounded by strong, resilient, powerful women, women of color, and especially Black women here at Vertex. There is a community where you are embraced, and I believe Vertex is unique in the value it places on inclusion and belonging.”
2. You’ll grow as a person and as a professional
Growth in the workplace isn’t always about climbing ladders. It’s also about collaborating and finding ways to see the meaning in the work you do and to share your expertise with others. Vertex employees experience this firsthand when mentoring and managing students in internship programs and through volunteer opportunities.
In 2023, Quinn managed a summer intern through Vertex’s Boston Learning Lab. “As someone who was also an intern at Vertex, I understand how much our internship programs mean to students and the Boston community,” he says. “I found it to be an extremely rewarding experience. Being able to mentor a student and guide them in their professional development made such a positive impact on myself and my career. My intern was a pleasure to work with, and he brought a lot of fresh perspectives and smiles to our group. This program is one of many things that makes working for Vertex so great."
By engaging in community initiatives, employees like Quinn not only enhance their leadership skills but also foster a deeper connection to their company and community, ultimately enriching their own professional journey.
What’s more, Vertex pairs external growth opportunities with internal ones. “Vertex is deeply committed to the career growth and development of all employees, offering extensive learning resources and training opportunities,” Santos says.
Open to all employees, she says the employee resource network IWILL (Inspiring Women in Leadership and Learning) is a huge asset. “It provides a platform for sharing best practices on career development and addressing key challenges that women often face, such as navigating menopause, returning to work post pregnancy, balancing a career while caregiving, and more,” Santos says. “Women working with us can expect to advance their careers, develop new skills, and contribute meaningfully to our mission of creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases through scientific innovation.”
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases—most notably those that treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. They’re rated most highly for Support for Diversity, Sense of Belonging, and Paid Time Off. Plus, 100% of raters say they feel they were paid fairly from the start. Explore Vertex’s benefits and culture now!
3. You’ll broaden your perspective
What better way to refresh your mindset than by viewing the work you do through the lens of the people it impacts? In addition to her work ensuring medicines are accessible to patients who need them, Santos serves on the board of directors for the Vertex Foundation. In that role, she actively participates in shaping the direction of the Foundation’s charitable efforts, aligning with the Foundation's priorities such as healthy families, STEAM education, social innovation, and community.
The work is challenging, but she says connecting with the communities they serve is important to her. “Despite Vertex's inclusive culture, one can sometimes become insulated,” Santos says. “Getting out from behind a desk and into different communities helps to broaden my perspective and this diversity of experience enriches my personal and professional life.”
Stocking wholeheartedly agrees. “We do not operate in a silo and understand that patients are not singular but nestled in communities we must partner with to make a meaningful impact and build trust,” she says. “We are not perfect, but we are striving for our organization to reflect the patients we serve so we better understand their needs. It starts with our culture; we are a company that wants to ensure we can all bring our best selves to work every day.”
Community-focused initiatives at Vertex offer mentorship, growth, leadership, community engagement, fulfillment, and more. By integrating community affairs into what they do and who they are, Vertex not only transforms the lives of patients but also enriches the lives of its employees, making it a truly exceptional place to work.
