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PM Society Careers event recordings

The PM Society's career event  'A career in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Communications' took place on 21 February 2024 in London.

The annual event aims to inform students and early career changers on the roles within the sector and provide attendees with the opportunity to network and build connections with industry organisations and potentially find their next role.

The event programme saw industry experts from pharmaceutical companies and agencies showcase roles within healthcare comms and featured four speaker sessions.

        

If you would like to attend the free event next year, please view the 2025 Careers event page to learn more. 

Session 1 - Introduction to the pharmaceutical and healthcare comms industries

Simon Walker and Alex Merckx (PM Society Careers Interest Group Co-Leads) provide an overview of the pharmaceutical and healthcare comms industry.

Guest speakers Caroline Benson (PM Society board member) and Claudia Coelho (PM Society Learning and Development Group Co-lead) share insights on how their careers have evolved and field questions from delegates on the industry, how to get into roles, career progression and much more.


Session 2 - So many roles - where to start?

Live recording for the PM Talk and The Black Sherpa podcasts - hosted by Nyambe Sumbwanyambe with special guest Pascal Phillips.

Yam and Pascal discussed Pascal’s career journey, what influenced his career journey, professional vs personal boundaries, recommendations on what a good employer looks like, and what decisions he has made along that way that have left a positive impact.

 


Session 3 - Sustainability matters!

Lyn Cruickshank (Co-lead of the PM Society Sustainability Interest Group) presents the need for sustainability considerations within pharmaceutical and healthcare communication organisations, based on feedback that this is a deciding factor for many students and career changers looking for their next role.

Lyn shows the audience what the industry is doing to support this, how this can be achieved within a business and the options available, and why it’s so important to make the change.

Resources:

Sustainability Matters slides


Session 4 - How to get into the industry – panel discussion

Influential industry voices Pascal Phillips, Nyambe Sumbwanyambe, Matthew Wright, Amir Hedayat and Caroline Benson discuss several topics including:

  • Resources and actions to prepare for an interview.
  • Knowledge to brush up on ready for any interview stage. 
  • Advice for those returning to work looking at a role change after a career break. 
  • Questions to ask the employer during interviews. 
  • What opportunities to look out for that can help on your CV to get your ideal role. 
  • Changes the panel would like to see in the next 5 years regarding D,E&I in the industry roles.

References:

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) Code of Practice

The Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority

Working Mums 

Working Dads

The Black Sherpa Podcast