Undergraduate communications placements
As a science-led, global healthcare company, our image and reputation are incredibly important to us. Communications placement students are an integral part of our team in helping communicate our values, and our product and business developments in a clear and compelling manner.
Communications provides a mouthpiece - both internally and externally - for all of our business functions including Consumer Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, research and development (R&D), Global manufacturing and supply (GMS), Vaccines and corporate operations. We use a variety of communication tools and channels to deliver a consistent story to all of our audiences.
We have a number of placements available across two key areas: either within the broader communications function or specifically within digital communications.
What will I be doing?
The placements offer the opportunity to work with our various teams to support the communications requirements of the business both internally and externally. In Consumer Healthcare, you could develop brand campaigns for some of the world's leading household brands including Lucozade, Ribena, Panadol, Beechams, Sensodyne and Aquafresh. In Pharmaceuticals, you might develop campaigns to raise awareness of our healthcare products and initiatives including the charitable programmes we support to raise healthcare standards globally. In corporate communications, you could be enhancing our reputation through reporting or media relations.
Here are some of the activities you could be involved in:
- drafting news stories, case studies and features for internal and external communications channels
- writing, designing and giving presentations
- co-ordinating events and webcasts for internal and external communications activities
- preparing PR campaigns and events
- managing, designing and writing employee intranet sites
- co-ordinating the filming and editing of videos
- auditing communications activities and making recommendations
- carrying out research for specific initiatives
- working with community partnerships and corporate responsibility teams to build understanding of our work
A placement is a great chance to apply the skills you have learned at university in a ‘live’ role and learn new ones. The work will bring you into contact with people across the business, external organisations and the media, so you’ll be constantly developing your interpersonal skills. You’ll also build your organisational and problem-solving abilities.
Do I have the skills?
You should be studying for a degree in communications, media, PR, journalism, marketing, business, advertising or any degree with a one-year placement and be on track for at least a 2.1. You must be on a sandwich degree course and be taking the industrial placement as a recognised sandwich year of your course. Strong writing skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) are also needed.
When can I start?
Applications are open online in September, with placements starting any time between June and September the following year (start and end dates are flexible for the outgoing and incoming needs of the students and the business). Placements ideally run for twelve months.
How can I apply?
Applications are now closed for our programmes starting in 2013. Details of the 2014 programmes will be posted in September 2013.
