Nina Bull describes her experience, six months after starting work as an Account Executive at Porterhouse Medical.

During my final year of studying biochemistry at the University of Bath, I started applying for graduate jobs but found it difficult to find one I liked the sound of. Having realised that I didn’t enjoy lab work, in my third year I had undertaken an office-based placement doing clinical study management at a pharmaceutical company. I felt that I thrived in the office environment, but found the role quite slow-paced. However, I wasn’t aware of similar jobs in which I could use the knowledge and skills I’d gained from my science degree.

On a trip home for Christmas, I spoke to a friend who had studied biology at university and was now working for a medical communications agency, which prompted me to look into this industry. From what I could see, it seemed like exactly what I was searching for.

My first job interview was with Porterhouse Medical, and I was surprised and delighted to be offered the role. Following graduation, I moved to Reading, and three days later started my job as an account executive.

I feel extremely privileged to be working for a company that prides itself on happiness and humour. From my very first day at work, I was welcomed into the Porterhouse family with open arms and quickly got to know my colleagues. Within the first few weeks, I was off to the Newbury Races for a social and already making firm friends.

Porterhouse has Silver accreditation from Investors in People, which is thoroughly deserved. The company encourages its employees to appreciate each other and show thanks to those who go above and beyond, and also ensures that any training undertaken by one employee is shared with others during regular ‘Porterhouse Presents’ sessions. I have felt invested in and cared for since my first day at this relatively small but growing company.

However, working in medical communications is not always easy. The role of an account executive is varied and challenging; as you are client-facing, you must be a confident communicator and good at juggling many tasks at once. My role is fast-paced, and I took on responsibility very quickly and felt ownership over my projects within the first month. However, having to learn so rapidly was not easy and required determination and grit. Now, six months in, I feel like a valued member of the team and have just returned from my first on-site trip to Frankfurt. I am still learning so much; the medical communications industry is complex, with many rules, regulations and processes, but for someone like me who thrives in a challenging environment, working in this industry is the perfect job.

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