School of Pharmacy Society: External Relations/Communications Officer

Hey guys, my name is Frances and I’m currently in my second year! I’m putting myself forward for External Officer because I’m really keen to bridge the gap between the School of Pharmacy and the industry.

From my previous leadership roles, I’ve spent a lot of time acting as the middleman between students and senior staff, so I’m very comfortable reaching out to new people and pitching ideas. I’ve also worked as a tutor, which taught me how to be a reliable point of contact and how to communicate clearly. I want to use those skills to get more pharmaceutical companies on board, for guest talks and for actual industry visits.

My main goal is to get us more involved with the professional side of things. I want to move beyond just having speakers on Zoom or in a lecture hall and actually arrange site visits to major pharmaceutical companies, so we can see how things work in practice. I’ll be the one handling the outreach to industry recruiters to make sure the School of Pharmacy is a name they recognize and want to hire from.

I’d love the chance to represent us and bring some fresh opportunities to the society this year!

As a pharmacy student, I know how demanding our course can be with placements, portfolios, and modules. Balancing studies while networking or exploring career opportunities can sometimes feel overwhelming.

That’s why, if elected, I want to make these opportunities more accessible and convenient for all students!

1. Industry and Career Insight Sessions
I plan to organise guest speaker sessions with professionals from medical affairs, pharmacovigilance, manufacturing, and supply chain, and for students pursuing pharmacy or research, I will also invite community, hospital, industrial, and research pharmacists. These sessions will help you learn:

• what the roles involve day-to-day
• how to enter these careers
• how to improve your CV and showcase relevant skills

2. Real‑World Pharma Competitions
Issues such as drug addiction or vaccine hesitancy to help you:

• gain practical insight
• strengthen your CV
• work with friends and create fond memories

3. Collaborations with Societies and Organisations
I aim to partner with societies like life sciences and healthcare business groups, as well as professional organisations and NGOs, giving you opportunities to connect with networks such as PDA, FIP, and IHP.

I have organised career events and charity initiatives in the past, and I’m excited to do more. Ultimately, my goal is to help pharmacy students explore opportunities after graduation and start preparing early.

If you’d like to step out of your comfort zone, meet new people and grow your career, vote for me!

I am standing for the External Relations Officer to expand opportunities for pharmacy students to explore various opportunities by strengthening collaboration with multiple organisations beyond the School of Pharmacy. With increasing competition and growing uncertainty about career paths, many students are understandably concerned about their future prospects. I believe stronger external engagement can help address this by providing clearer insight into different occupations, building practical experience, and forming meaningful connections!

Having seen the value of existing industry talks and CV clinics, I would like to build on these foundations by introducing more interactive and skills-focused initiatives. For example, structured mentorship sessions connecting students with UCL alumni working in diverse pharma-related roles, and collaborative workshops where students can solve real-world industry scenarios while developing useful skills that can contribute to CPD and strengthen CVs.

My aim is to ensure that external events are not only informative but empowering. I am committed to representing our interests proactively and working to make being part of the School of Pharmacy a truly valuable and inspiring experience!