At ICR Healthcare, our internship programme is a gateway to a career in healthcare communications for young talents from diverse backgrounds. We believe that incorporating varied perspectives are crucial for innovation and success in our sector.
Suki Virji, Senior Associate Partner, who has overseen the internship programme for many years, emphasises its importance: “We want to create opportunities for young graduates from all backgrounds, opening doors and minds to a career they might never have considered.”
Our four-to-eight-week programme offers a focused, immersive experience for one intern at a time. We welcome applications from candidates in their penultimate year of undergraduate study or recent graduates, regardless of their degree area, as long as they show interest in communications. Our selection process, involving a written application, phone call, and face-to-face interview, aims to identify passionate individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.
Dynamic Learning Environment
Dylan Wilks, a former intern with a degree in Biochemistry, who is now an Account Executive, shares, “One of the highlights of my internship was helping out at a results analyst briefing during my second week. This gave me the chance to see biotech executives and analysts in action, sparking my interest in the financial side of the healthcare sector. ICR Healthcare’s team brings together expertise from a variety of backgrounds, from accountancy to journalism, giving me a chance to hear different perspectives and approaches to problem solving. I had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of healthcare clients, spanning sectors from surgical robotics to animal health, which provided me with a broad understanding of the healthcare sector.”
Building Skills and Confidence
The programme focuses on developing practical skills and building confidence. Interns learn to use essential software tools and gain exposure to real-world business scenarios. Many former interns, including Dylan Wilks, Emmalee Hoppe, and Tom Daniel, have joined ICR Healthcare full-time, demonstrating our commitment to nurturing long-term career prospects. Emmalee Hoppe, a former intern who studied Economics and is now an Associate at the company, reflects: “My internship at ICR Healthcare showed me that a career in financial PR and strategic communications was the perfect way to combine my personal passions in a professional setting, while also developing my confidence and interpersonal skills.”
Creating Pathways to Success
The success of our approach is evident in the number of former interns who have joined ICR Healthcare full-time, including Dylan and Emmalee.
Tom Daniel, another former intern now working as an Account Executive, adds: “If you have an interest in healthcare, finance, public relations or strategic communications, ICR Healthcare is a great place to develop and broaden your skillset by working alongside some industry experts. My internship in 2023 was a great segue into my current role and reaffirmed that I had chosen the right career path.”
Call for Inclusive Opportunities
At ICR Healthcare, we believe that internship programmes are crucial for creating a more inclusive and dynamic workforce. We encourage other companies, regardless of their size or sector, to consider implementing similar programmes, opening doors for young people who might not otherwise have such opportunities.
As Suki Virji notes, “Creating an internship programme can benefit both your company and aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds. It’s about fostering a more inclusive future workforce.”
