Sharer studied aeronautical engineering at the United States. Naval Academy from approximately 1968 through 1971. He earned a Bachelor of Surgery in engineering 1970 and an Master of Arts in 1971. He later received his Master of Business Administration from the "s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business in 1983.
As an engineering graduate, Sharer served in the Navy from 1971 through 1978. He served on two naval fast-class nuclear submarines. At the age of 27, he became the Chief Engineer on the United States Ship Memphis (Social Security Number-691) overseeing her construction and her crew"s training.
He left the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
From 1978 to 1982, Sharer worked at American Telephone & Telegraph Company and simultaneously earned an Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh. With new Master of Business Administration in hand, Sharer briefly spent time in a consulting position with McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm.
In 1984, General Electric (General Electric) recruited Sharer for a position in corporate development. Sharer made an impression on Jack Welch, General Electric"s Chief Executive Officer, who offered him a chance to lead the General Electric jet engine division.
Sharer reportedly refused the job because that position was not high profile enough.
Thus, in 1989, Sharer left General Electric for an executive vice president position in marketing at Microwave Communications Incorporated Telecommunications Corporation. At Microwave Communications Incorporated, again Sharer became convinced that internal politics would keep him in a number three position and that he would never get to be the Chief Executive Officer. So finally, in 1992, he joined biotech company Amgen, Incorporated. as President and chief operating officer. Amgen was then world’s largest biotechnology company, but small when compared to large pharmaceutical organizations. Some criticized the choice of someone without a medical or chemical degree for the position, but his predecessor at Amgen, Gordon Binder felt that the company already had enough people with strong science backgrounds.
Instead, Sharer’s corporate experience was what was sought after by Amgen.
Nevertheless, Sharer took a "crash course" in biotechnology, taking six months of half-sabbatical to immerse himself in the study of biotech issues. Sharer even reportedly hired his old firm, McKinsey, to tutor him in pharmaceuticals and biochemistry.
After 20 years leading Amgen, it was announced that Sharer would retire at the end of 2012. He will be replaced by Robert Bradway, Amgen"s current chief operating officer.
