CW Stageblog

A Day as a Corporate Communications Intern at Boehringer Ingelheim MIDI

Diary Entry – Date: April 30, 2024

Hey everyone! I am Mia, a corporate communications intern at a pharmaceutical company. A month ago, during one of our busy periods—which, by the way, are the most fun times in the corporate world when you’re brimming with initiative—I documented one of my days. Here’s a glimpse into this sunny Tuesday in April, packed with exciting tasks and collaborative moments that have made this journey so rewarding.

8:30 AM: Early Bird Gets the Worm

Waking up with the sun, I felt excited for the day ahead. A quick breakfast and I was out the door, ready to tackle my responsibilities as a corporate communications intern.

Arriving at the office, I grabbed a cup of coffee and settled into my desk. First on my agenda was checking emails and responding to messages from colleagues. Our team spans multiple countries, so staying on top of communications is key.

9:30 AM: Campaign Meeting 

Today’s first task was a meeting with the Ethics & Compliance Officer to kick off brainstorming for our Code of Conduct campaign week. We discussed a variety of ideas, including different events, communication strategies, and team responsibilities. The meeting was intense, yet we developed a cohesive plan to ensure the campaign’s success. The session was filled with creative energy, and I left the meeting ready to start preparing a proposal presentation for the Leadership Committee.

10:00 AM: Weekly Corporate Affairs Team Meeting

Next up was our team meeting, where all team members provided a brief update on their current tasks and any challenges they are facing. It is a great opportunity to see the bigger picture and understand how our individual efforts contribute to the company’s goals. For instance, one colleague was struggling with the logistics for an upcoming event, and we brainstormed potential solutions. Another team member shared a success story from a recent Animal Health campaign, giving us all a boost of motivation. 

11:00 AM Content Creation for Monthly Newsletter

After the meeting, I turned my attention to the MIDI Monthly newsletter that has to be sent out this week. Today, I was finalizing two final articles on a diabetes initiative by Greece and our latest sustainability improvement for mobility practices. Writing these articles develops my skills and keeps our region informed.

12:00 PM: Lunch and Learn

Lunch today was a ‘Lunch and Learn’ session with the Human Pharma team. Over sandwiches, we discussed patient safety through art and shared insights on upcoming projects. These informal sessions are fantastic for networking and gaining new perspectives on our work.

1:30 PM: Social Media Development

The afternoon kicks off with a focus on social media. Firstly, I developed our social media channel strategy, ensuring both internal and external channels being used effectively across the region. The aim is to create an overview to ensure clarity and proper channel usage. Furthermore, I was working on adapting global campaign materials for our local markets. This involves translating, creating visuals and writing posts that resonate with our MIDI audience.

3:00 PM: Event Planning for VTI Day 2024

Next up is planning the annual Boehringer event that takes place in two weeks. Today I was working on our local registration sheet to ensure that all participants are divided into volunteering activities. From a regional perspective, I had to help with writing the event’s Core Hour script and organizing merch to Denmark. The level of detail required is immense, but seeing everything come together is satisfying.

4:30 PM: Research on CSR Messaging

Before wrapping up, I dedicated time to my research project on CSR messaging. Analyzing how different message contexts (social vs. environmental) influence stakeholder trust has been a challenging yet enlightening experience. Today, I finalized theoretical parts and finished data collection.

5:00 PM: End of Work Day

As the day started to end, I took a few moments to reflect. This internship has been a whirlwind of learning and growth. The support from my colleagues, diverse tasks, and dynamic environment have all contributed to an enriching experience. Each day brings new challenges and opportunities, yet the blend of practical work and theoretical knowledge has been incredible. I’m looking forward to tomorrow, eager to continue contributing to this amazing team.