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Change in thinking needed for women in packaging careers

An interview with Ivette Larralde-Valdes, Sr. Q.C. Compliance Specialist, Noven Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Ivette Larralde-Valdes conducts auditing of a microbiology water sample at the Purified Water System Utility area.
Ivette Larralde-Valdes conducts auditing of a microbiology water sample at the Purified Water System Utility area.

Editor’s note: Women In Packaging is an occasional series reporting on the career challenges women in packaging face and the advice they have for other women building careers in the packaging function.

Healthcare Packaging: How did you come to occupy your current role?

Valdes: I joined the company as a Quality Control Analyst in 1999 after working in the environmental industry for 17 years. I occupied different position in QC department and eventually became Associate Manager of the QC laboratory. When I started working toward my Masters in QA Manufacturing, I approached the Vice-President of Quality and asked him to give a project to execute in the manufacturing area. After working together with him for three years, he promoted me to my current role as QA Compliance Specialist.

What challenges have you had to overcome in your packaging career?

Valdes: Due to my Quality Control background, the most difficult challenge has been to prove that I can transition to QA Manufacturing environment. Even after getting my Masters in QA Manufacturing, people did not see me as a resource and I found it difficult to interject myself into new projects and tasks under development within the manufacturing area.

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