Mihran's success story: Securing an Industrial Placement at Haleon

Mihran is a Mechanical Engineering student from Brunel University of London. He secured an Industrial Placement as an Oral Health R&D Project & Portfolio Management role at Haleon, in Weybridge and London, through Bright Network.  

First, please tell us a little bit about yourself.

“I’m currently an Industrial Placement student with a background in mechanical engineering. Growing up, I was always curious about how things work, which naturally led me to study engineering at university.

I chose to go to university to deepen my technical understanding and open up different career opportunities available to me.

Over time, I became increasingly interested in how engineering fits into the wider business context, which motivated me to pursue a placement that bridges both worlds. This experience has helped me develop a broader skill set and a clearer sense of direction for my future career.”

What motivated you to apply for your role?

“I was motivated to apply for this role because Haleon is a globally recognised organisation with a portfolio of trusted consumer health brands. The opportunity to work alongside subject matter experts, some of the most respected in the industry, was incredibly appealing.

I saw this as a chance not only to contribute to meaningful work but also to learn from experienced professionals in a dynamic and supportive environment.

What stood out to me was Haleon’s commitment to innovation and its people-focused culture, which aligned strongly with my own values. Being part of a company that prioritises both impact and development made this opportunity one I couldn’t pass up.”

What was your application journey like?

“My application journey was smooth and well-structured. To prepare, I practised interview questions using the STAR method and completed mock online assessments using resources I found online. This helped me feel confident going into each stage of the process.”

How did Bright Network help you secure your role?

“I discovered the job opportunity on Bright Network. From there, I was able to research the company via the Bright Network website, gain insight into its values and watch videos featuring employees.

This helped me assess whether the organisation aligned with my aspirations and was the right fit for me.”

What are you most proud of about your journey?

“One of the things I’m most proud of in my journey is stepping into a completely new environment and embracing the challenge. Coming from a mechanical engineering background at university, moving into a business-focused internship was a significant shift.

I went from working on technical problems to navigating commercial strategy, stakeholder engagement and cross-functional collaboration. Initially, it was daunting to adapt to unfamiliar terminology, understand business priorities and learn how to contribute meaningfully in a corporate setting. But through curiosity, resilience and support from my team, I’ve grown in confidence and capability.

This experience has broadened my perspective and given me a strong foundation for whatever comes next, whether that’s continuing in industry, pursuing further study or exploring new opportunities.”

What have you learnt from going through the process?

“Going through the application process taught me that, regardless of the outcome, you come out stronger and better prepared.

It gives you a clear understanding of what employers expect, which is invaluable when graduation approaches. I was surprised by how structured and supportive the process was, and I now feel more confident about navigating future opportunities.”

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

“My top tip would be to reach out to current or former placement students at the company or current employees you are applying to, as they can offer valuable insights and advice that you won’t find on the website.

The best advice I received was to be yourself – employers want to see the real you, as that’s who they’ll be working with every day.”

Tell us about the future. What’s next?

“Looking ahead, I’m hoping this placement will continue to develop me both professionally and personally. It’s already helped me build confidence and gain exposure to areas I hadn’t considered before.

I’m excited to take what I’ve learnt into my third year at university with a stronger understanding of how my skills can be applied in the real world.

While I’m still exploring my options and can’t say with certainty what I want to do long-term, this experience has given me a clearer sense of direction. I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, grow and discover where I can make the biggest impact.”