EU Regulatory Affairs Placement Student Review

I was placed within the EMEA oncology regulatory affairs team and worked on pharmaceutical submissions to health authorities as well as completing a regulatory research project throughout my year. Day to day I was shadowing and working with regulatory professionals in meetings around the current submissions as well as independently completing analysis for my research project.

Hard skills developed on my placement includes communication with regulatory professionals on a global level; presentation skills from sharing my project conclusions to colleagues and senior leaders with clarity; and leadership skills as part of my involvement with Bridge to Employment programme. As well as hard skills, I have developed hugely on a personal level with confidence and feel lucky to have met such a wide network of professionals from the pharmaceutical industry.

The main responsibility was my independent research project which I was given full reign to design and complete. In terms of regulatory activities, I wasn’t given as much responsibility and definitely would have asked for more exposure in this area if I was given my time again. Volunteering on the BtE programme really enhanced my leadership skills and was another area I was given a lot of opportunity and responsibility in.

I was supported immensely by a wide range of professionals around me and I always knew who to contact if I ran into an issue. I cannot fault this aspect of my placement and I am so grateful to every person that helped me!

I was overwhelmed by the support and kindness given to me during my placement. Everyone greeted me with friendliness and respect even though I was a student - this was something that positively surprised me about working for such a large corporation and has been a big factor in my desire to return to the company one day.

I loved my placement and I would rush back tomorrow to do it for free. The development I went through personally and professionally has been invaluable to my career and has shown me where my passions lie. I thoroughly enjoyed working with my colleagues and my day to day role in general, however, it was a shame I was geographically far from family and friends.

Yes

It is one of the most inclusive and enjoyable environments I have worked in. My advice would be to explore ‘extra curricular’ activities outside of your day to day role, such as Green Champions and Bridge to Employment as this really enhanced my day to day motivation.