Leah's success story: Securing an industrial placement at Haleon

Leah is a Marketing student from Aston University. She secured a Global Expert Marketing Industrial Placement at Haleon in Weybridge, through Bright Network.  

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

"My career path reflects my curiosity and interest in health, wellbeing and how expert voices shape consumer decisions. I've always been drawn to roles that combine creativity with purpose, and this placement allows me to explore that in a global context.

Growing up, I didn't have a fixed idea of what I wanted to be, but I always had an interest in creative industries. Over time, I realised I was more drawn to the strategy behind how products are positioned and communicated, so I knew I wanted to go to university to explore these interests, build skills and open up different career opportunities.

I'm motivated by the impact expert marketing can have not just on brand growth but on public health awareness. Working in a space that blends science, education and creativity feels meaningful and gives me room to grow."

What motivated you to apply for your role?

“I was drawn to Haleon because of its focus on health and wellbeing, which really aligns with my personal interests, especially in expert-led marketing.

The Global Expert Marketing placement stood out because it offered the chance to work on meaningful projects with real impact and I liked that it combined strategy with creativity.

I also appreciated that the role involved working across different markets, which felt like a great opportunity to learn and grow in a global setting.”

What was the application process like?

“The process involved submitting a CV, completing a video interview and psychometric tests.

After that, I had a one-to-one call, which was really helpful as it gave me the opportunity to ask questions and made me feel more confident before moving on to the interview stage.

The video interview was the most unfamiliar part for me as it felt different from a normal conversation, and I wasn’t sure how to present myself naturally.

Getting through each stage made me feel more capable, and by the time I started the role, I felt proud of how I’d handled the process and was excited to be a part of the team.”

How did Bright Network help you secure your role?

“I found the placement listed on the Bright Network website, which also gave me access to videos of previous candidates who gave some hints as to what to expect during the application process.

It was overall very useful in terms of giving more insight into what to expect!”

What are you most proud of about your journey?

“I’m proud of how I stayed focused and proactive throughout the application process for the Global Expert Marketing placement at Haleon. I took quite a bit of time to understand the role, tailoring my application and preparing properly, so securing the role felt like a real achievement.

Starting the role and settling into the team has been a big confidence boost. It's reassuring to know the effort I put in was worth it, and now I’m in a place where I can learn, contribute and grow.”

What have you learnt from going through the process?

“I learnt how important it is to stay adaptable, as each stage of the application tested something different, from communication to problem-solving.

The process was slightly longer than I expected, but it gave me time to reflect and improve along the way. I wish I’d known how useful it is to speak to people already in the role – it really helps to get a clearer picture of what to expect and how to prepare.”

What are your tips for people looking to follow in your footsteps?

“One of my main tips would be to take time to understand the role and tailor the application accordingly. You don’t want to underestimate the preparation needed for video interviews and psychometric tests, especially if they're new to you.

I’d also recommend reaching out to people in similar roles or placements; even a short chat can give you useful insights and confidence. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, as it demonstrates a genuine interest and curiosity for the role.

When it comes to useful resources, Bright Network gives great insight into the job role, company and what to expect throughout the process. I used LinkedIn to connect with current interns and ask them about their experiences. I’d also recommend finding platforms to practice psychometric tests, as this helped me feel much more prepared.”

Tell us about the future. What’s next?

“I’m looking forward to exploring more expert-led campaigns and understanding how they shape consumer behaviour and trust in health brands.

I’m also really interested in the beauty and wellbeing space, which closely connects to my current role and sparks my creativity.

I hope to keep learning through hands-on experience, working with different teams and building skills that could eventually lead me into that sector.”