An Overview of the Walgreens Finance Development Program
ASPIRE. AN OVERVIEW
v.
to long, aim, or seek ambitiously;
be eagerly desirous, esp. for
something great or of high value
How Do You Define Success?
The Aspire Program
Success is subjective. It’s a personal thing. The Aspire Program offers a rare opportunity to achieve success, as you
define it, for a Fortune 50 company.
The program is unique. The challenge is multifaceted. And for those who enter, thrive, survive and go on to build
careers at our company, the Aspire Program is an extraordinary opportunity to write your own success story.
The Aspire Program is part of Walgreens Finance’s initiative to encourage employees to discover their own career
path within Walgreens.
“We are very excited about Aspire and the benefits it presents to Walgreens and our team members.
It is terrific chance for employees to accelerate their personal growth while it provides the company
with the knowledge and leadership necessary for continued success into the future. Aspire has the
backing and full support of the entire executive management team. We support the program and
intend to provide participants what they need to progress in their chosen career path. For those who
take on the challenge, it will be an exciting and fulfilling odyssey into all aspects of Walgreens’
business, with the opportunity to add value and financial expertise every step of the way.”
“Thank you for your interest in Walgreens and your belief in the company’s ongoing success.”
Wade Miquelon
Executive Vice President &
Chief Financial Officer
ASPIRE. AN OVERVIEW
ACCELERATE
YOUR CAREER
About the Program
Aspire provides a unique opportunity for highly talented
individuals to accelerate their career development and
growth. During the program, the participants will
embark on a two-year journey spanning four rotational
assignments within the Walgreens finance and
accounting organization. Assignments will be in the
following areas, to name a few:
• Finance
• Accounting
• Strategy/Strategic Sourcing
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Audit
• Risk
• Tax/Treasury
y o u r t a l e n t s ? D o y o u r t e a m m a t e s fi n d y o u
indispensable?
The variety of assignments provides participants with a
well-rounded experience by laying the foundation for a
successful future. Upon program completion, participants
have options for further development opportunities.
Examples include positions like:
-
Senior
Senior
Senior
Senior
Auditor
Financial Analyst
Accountant
Operations Analyst
The emphasis is on finding the right fit between the
needs of the company and the talents of the participant,
and providing everyone with an opportunity to create
Aspire is highly visible to executive management. their own blueprint for success.
Participants will develop core competencies to become
well-rounded business professionals and future leaders. Training and Development
They’ll work side-by-side with the industry’s top talent on As an Aspire Participant, you will complete 60 to 80
hours of development training. Training does not just
many areas of the Walgreens brand.
cover finance and accounting. It also covers business
Participants will chart their own course through the skills such as communication, leadership and problem
program. They’ll make their mark with each rotation, solving. The training is designed to lay out the tools that
discover where they can have an impact and road-test will equip you to reach Asire’s goal: to accelerate your
their ideas on major company projects. After completing development and build you into a future leader. Aspirethe rotations, participants will have solid experience in a sponsored training will occur every six months over a
range of disciplines and the ability to see the two-day period for a total of 16 hours. In addition, you
will have the opportunity to attend departmentconnections among them.
sponsored training, such as seminars and conferences,
Rigorous hands-on assignments will offer participants hosted by professional organizations. Not included in
extraordinary visibility to showcase both raw talent and the 60 to 80 hours of formal training are the countless
a willingness to roll up shirt sleeves. Aspire is a premier hours of on-the-job training you will receive.
opportunity not only to prepare for a rewarding and
challenging career, but also to make a significant Support and Access
Each participant is assigned a Walgreens mentor who
contribution to the organization.
provides support and guidance throughout the program
Each rotation is your chance to direct your Walgreens and a divisional mentor at each rotation. Over monthly
career. Does a discipline inspire your passion and ignite lunches with your Walgreens mentor, you will gain
candid advice about your career, insight on the industry,
ASPIRE. AN OVERVIEW
Aspire Program Advantages
YOUR
DEVELOPMENT IS
OUR BUSINESS
Company-Wide Support
Aspire is a critical component of our
talent development efforts, which
our leadership sees as a vehicle for
developing future leaders. As such,
strong suppor t exists at t he
company’s highest levels.
Valuable Network
Aspire participants gain access to a
valuable network of peers and
program graduates. In addition,
each participant’s mentors provide
valuable program and career
advice. They are available for
consultation on any issue, large or
small, and are an integral part of
the program.
Challenging Assignments
Aspire par ticipants are high
achievers who are expected to
make meaningful contributions to the
organization, beginning with their
fi r s t r o t a t i o n a l a s s i g n m e n t .
Assignments in different parts of the
company will help them acquire a
broader understanding of our
business – a critical perspective for
assuming increasing levels of
responsibility. To support their
success in a challenging assignment,
position managers and mentors
offer ongoing coaching, feedback
and guidance.
on the organization’s needs and the
individual’s goals. In consultation
with their mentors and program
staff, participants are expected to
play a leading role in identifying
which rotations would be the best fit.
able to think on your feet, be selfmotivated, adaptable, curious, and
know how to get along with people.
Candidates should be recent college
graduates with an accounting or
finance degree and a GPA of 3.0 or
Joining the Program
higher. The program is also open to
Walgreens selects wor ld-class candidates who have less than two
candidates for Aspire. Unlike other years of related work experience.
rotational programs, we accept only
a few par ticipants each year, If you believe you have what it takes
paying close attention to their to become an Aspire participant, we
progress. Selection is based as much encourage you to apply. Walgreens
on personal strengths as academic will be recruiting candidates for the
achievement.
Aspire Program on college
campuses throughout the fall. To be
Entry-level candidates will be bright, considered for an interview, please
energetic, results-oriented and submit your resume.
flexible. They will have a desire to
work hard, continuously learn and
add value. They will have excellent
int er personal, communication,
leadership and strategic-thinking
skills.
During the program’s two years,
p a r t i c i p a n t s h a ve t o e d u c a t e
themselves about every facet of the
ever-expanding and rapidly
changing world of Walgreens, and
inject that world with the strategic
perspective of a top performer. And
they have to do it better than
everyone else.
Flexibility and Variety
The program isn’t for everyone. It
We know no two career paths are
requires insight, creativity, street
identical, and that’s OK!
smarts and guts. You need to be
Assignments are determined based
For further information,
please refer to
www.walgreens.com/careers
ASPIRE. AN OVERVIEW
Alyssa Wise
Aspire Participant
Drake University
Aspire Program Participant
2010-2012
“The perfect transition from college and
internships to the real world”
Why did you choose the Aspire program?
The decision was easy, as it seemed like the perfect
transition from college and internships to the “real
world.” I knew I would be exposed to professional-level
work while still having the chance to explore several
finance and accounting opportunities.
implementation. I learned how to work with groups that
have different goals, and it drove home the fact that
effective communication is one of the keys to a project’s
successful completion.
Describe the relationship with your mentor.
My mentor and I have a formal lunch once a month to
What does it take to succeed in the program?
discuss my progress and goals. Rather than focusing on
More important than a college degree in a specific specific finance and accounting skills, we talk about how
subject, I think communication skills, adaptability and I have improved as a professional member of the
ambition are the keys to success in the Aspire program. company and what steps I should take to further myself
The departments through which you rotate don’t expect as a leader. We also talk informally about challenges I
you to walk in as an expert on your first day; they do may be having. She offers helpful, honest advice about
expect that you are ready and willing to learn new skills how to overcome the challenges and lessons I can learn
and that you will ask questions along the way.
from the situation.
What projects have you been involved with?
The first project I was assigned to was a large tax
planning project involving the tax department and a
group of third party tax consultants and lawyers. I was
able to see first hand the process from inception to
ASPIRE. AN OVERVIEW
Bruce Klink
Aspire Participant
University of Wisconsin- Madison
Aspire Program Participant
2010-2012
“The possibilities are truly endless”
Why did you choose the Aspire program?
Two reasons: Company growth potential as well as my
own personal growth opportunities. Walgreens is an
excellent company and is well positioned to continue its
rapid growth through increasing store count and
mergers and acquisitions, introducing new lines of
business, and improving our current store operations.
Personally, the program speaks for itself. It is truly
designed to develop future financial leaders, and you
can make an impact right away.
What are the benefits of the Aspire program?
The biggest benefit is that the program is what you
make of it. If you want to accomplish something grand,
take initiative and grab the bull by the horns. Embrace
the development opportunities, network with senior
management, and take on additional projects you are
passionate about. The possibilities are truly endless.
What is it like being on each rotation for only
six months?
Amazing! Some might be deterred because just as you
“learn the ropes” of an area, you are transferred to a
new group, but I embrace this opportunity. Each
rotation provides a fresh chance to learn new things,
meet new people and continue on the fast-track to
become a finance leader.
What interactions have you had with company
leadership?
Walgreens leaders are the program’s greatest
proponents. Within my first two months, I personally met
with over half of the members in the finance
development steering committee, the program’s
oversight function. Almost anyone is available as a
mentor if you reach out. I even had the opportunity to
have a one-on-one lunch with EVP and CFO Wade
Miquelon. The Walgreens leadership team “walks the
walk” and goes out of its way to develop young talent
and future company leaders. Their passion and support
are extremely inspiring.
ASPIRE. AN OVERVIEW
Shannon Ray
Aspire Participant
University of Illinois - Chicago
Aspire Program Participant
2009-2011
“It is fast paced and challenging, yet fun!”
Why did you choose the Aspire program?
I was already working for Walgreens in the internal
audit department for almost a year when this
opportunity arose. Being new in my career, I made it a
goal to take advantage of all new career opportunities
that would broaden my knowledge about the company.
The rotation program definitely allows me to obtain a
holistic view of Walgreens and provides me with the
foundation to develop into a well-rounded future
business leader.
What is it like being on each rotation for only
six months?
It is fast-paced and challenging, yet fun! You have the
unique opportunity to learn about four different
departments within the finance organization and work
with four groups of people.
The training has been excellent. It’s designed to address
each of the core competencies. Training in presentation
skills has given me the tools and confidence I need to
grow as a public speaker during meetings or in front of
a large audience.
What does it take to succeed in the Aspire
program?
The two characteristics that a participant must possess
are a positive attitude and adaptability. Every six
months you start in a new department, possibly doing
something you’ve never done before. A positive attitude
will help you overcome the mistakes you might make. It
also encourages you to constantly seek new learning
opportunities. How quickly you adapt to your new role
is also important. The quicker you adjust, the more likely
you will make an impact.
What are your thoughts on the training you Describe the relationship with your mentor.
have received?
I have a very positive and strong relationship with my
mentor. The unbiased advice and strong support he
About Walgreens
Walgreen Co., together with its subsidiaries, operates a chain of drugstores in the United States. The drugstores sell
prescription and non-prescription drugs, and general merchandise. Its general merchandise comprises household items,
personal care, convenience foods, beauty care, photofinishing, candy and seasonal items. The company provides its
services through drugstore counters, as well as through mail, telephone and the Internet. As of August 31, 2010,
Walgreens operated 8,053 locations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam. That includes
7,563 drugstores, 566 more than a year ago, including 281 stores acquired over the last 12 months. The company also
operates worksite health centers, home care facilities and specialty, institutional and mail service pharmacies. Its Take
Care Health Systems subsidiary manages more than 700 in-store convenient care clinics and worksite health and wellness
centers. Franchisees of Option Care, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Walgreens, are not included in Walgreens
location or store count. The company was founded in 1901 and is based in Deerfield, Illinois.
To millions of Americans, our retail stores are Walgreens. But it’s the talented, dedicated team members at our corporate
locations whose support helps make those stores run smoothly and who work to expand our business into new health and
wellness categories. From finance to marketing, human resources to real estate, our corporate professionals provide the
framework for enhancing the lives of millions of people. There are opportunities for people of many talents and
backgrounds – so come see what we have to offer!