Hi, I'm Immy and I am an Industrial Placement student with the International Internal Communications Team here at Vertex! Internal communications is responsible for all communications within the business. We interact with many of the functions - from New Product Planning to legal to HR - but one important role of Internal is to spotlight the achievements that happen in the International Region. I am primarily responsible for updating, creating and adding content to our Intranet site, Vnet, but also assist my team with many other things – every day is different. I could be assisting the Legal department one day and the next supporting the Corporate Social Responsibility team!
What is it like to work at Vertex?
I have two words: Exciting and fast-paced. It is a cliché, but there truly isn’t a day that goes by where I don’t learn something new. Whether related to my day-to-day work or about other functions, it’s fantastic to be in an environment where constant learning and innovation is encouraged.
What are your top tips for candidates looking to apply for an Industrial Placement?
Look outside of what you think you ‘should’ do. Biotech/Pharmaceuticals was the ‘odd industry out’ compared to all the other placement schemes I applied to. However, by researching Vertex and its clear commitment to patients, I was not surprised at all I connected with Vertex’s mission. Don’t let your degree title hold you back - research the company in-depth to see if you connect with anything and utilize your school’s resources. When applying to placements, consulting my school’s career resources was really helpful as they gave interview practice, career advice and CV checks.
Why should members consider an Industrial Placement role at Vertex?
You should definitely consider a placement here as it is such an exciting time for the company. Vertex is recognized for cystic fibrosis medicines now, but the pipeline is expanding to other rare diseases. Moreover, Vertex’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture is truly authentic. There are many initiatives, groups and more that encourage Vertexians to bring their authentic selves to work. As a placement student here, you have the opportunity to try anything, so give it your all! The placement programme has been structured very well. The onboarding, early career activities and my team have made it easy to adjust to a totally new environment.
What’s next for your career?
I can't tell the future, but this placement experience has made me fearless and willing to try anything!