Since starting university, I had planned to take on a summer internship between my second and third year. After attending a careers fair at uni, I crossed paths with the Porterhouse team, and that’s when I decided that an internship in medical communications was something I was interested in. I hadn’t known about the med comms industry until attending the fair, and even after doing some research into the area, I was still uncertain about what the role would entail and what my day-to-day tasks would be. However, this actually made things all the more exciting when I started!
During my internship, I gained a good overview of the industry – understanding clients’ wants and needs, helping with the various tasks a med comms agency undertakes (such as creating slide decks, podcasts, spreadsheets, emailers and posters), and learning the importance of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice. In addition to gaining industry insights, I have acquired transferable skills that I will be able to carry through my academic and career paths. This is especially true with regard to my writing skills, which will be particularly helpful for my third-year dissertation. I have also improved in using Microsoft programs such as PowerPoint, Excel and Teams. Furthermore, interns at Porterhouse are encouraged to complete a mini project in science or a business-related topic, which enhanced my communication and presentation skills.
Porterhouse has been fantastic to intern with. It’s an employee-focused company, and this is reflected in their approach to work. The atmosphere is friendly and supportive – everyone is approachable and ready to help with any questions. I was kept busy with a steady stream of work, which helped me to acquire various skills. Also, Porterhouse sets you up with a mentor who arranges weekly catch ups to ensure you’re happy with how everything is going and to help point you in the right direction, should you need it. Furthermore, they arrange social events (such as an afternoon at the races and paintballing), which is a great way to meet and mingle with colleagues. I appreciate everything Porterhouse has done for me during my internship, with a special thanks to my managers and mentor for making my time here worthwhile and enjoyable.
By Rachel Harris, Summer Intern 2023
Porterhouse Pathfinders internship programmes
Porterhouse Medical Group offer a 12-week internship for bright, enthusiastic life-sciences graduates with a passion for science and communication. The successful candidates benefit from the opportunity to experience first-hand the workings of a successful medical communications agency. In addition to gaining experience of industry-specific tools and processes and providing general support to our medical writers and account managers, candidates undertake their own project, guided by a member of our team.
We also offer an internship programme in our research, insights and evidence consultancy, where talented candidates work within our Porterhouse Insights team to learn about and develop the broad, multidisciplinary skill set within the field of insights.
If you would like any more information on our Porterhouse Pathfinders graduate internship programmes or opportunities to join our team, please email Jan Coetzee on careers@porterhousemedical.com
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