3 Lessons about Career & Life from a Career Nomad

Slideshow Transcript

1. Slide 1: JC My Life a s a Ca re e r Nom a d: A re s pons e to Britt S te e d’s que s tion, “How did you be com e a n MS L? ” a nd the is s ue of a “tra ditiona l ca re e r pa th” Jane Chin, Ph.D. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
2. Slide 2: JC My “Pa th ” • A PhD cancer research scientist… – Turned Pharmaceutical Sales Rep – Turned Medical Science Liaison (MSL) – Turned Entrepreneur & MSL Advocate © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
3. Slide 3: JC My Life a s a S a le s Re p • Why – As a naïve, uninformed PhD student, I only knew about “science or sales” in industry. – I couldn’t stomach more years in school for MBA or JD, even as a procrastination device against a career decision – I had no idea the MSL career even existed and no one was writing articles about MSLs in the 90’s. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
4. Slide 4: JC My Life a s a S a le s Re p • What – A year was all I could handle as a sales rep. – My numbers were good, but I didn’t feel good about the job* – Most of the docs I called on didn’t care as much about the science as I did because they answer to HMOs *ask me to tell you about the giant Matzo ball story if we ever meet up © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
5. Slide 5: JC My Life a s a S a le s Re p • But my year as a sales rep exposed me to a hospital (specialty) rep, – …who worked with a medical science liaison, – … and that was how I first ever heard of MSLs. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
6. Slide 6: JC Ja ne Ch in’s Ca re e r Nom a d Le s s on #1 It’s more important that you pay attention to what is happening around you than trying to make “THE” right career decision. Career, as in Life, does not always afford us “right or wrong” options. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
7. Slide 7: JC My Life a s a MS L • Why – I got my PhD and wanted “more”. •Yes, that included more money. I had student loans like most everyone else. – I believed that the MSL career would give me the intellectual stimulation I yearned. – Getting paid for “talking science with thought leaders on the cutting edge” sounded glamorous! © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
8. Slide 8: JC My Life a s a MS L • What – I worked as a MSL for 4 years – Sure, I “talked science with thought leaders on the cutting edge”, but I had ethical concerns, especially around off-label discussions – I felt good about the job, but didn’t feel as connected with the career as I wanted. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
9. Slide 9: JC My Life a s a MS L • But my years as a MSL exposed me to a mission I connected deeply with: – Speaking up for MSLs about ethical conduct – Encouraging sharing of best practices within a tight-lipped community – Tell the world about the MSL career! © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
10. Slide 10: JC Ja ne Ch in’s Ca re e r Nom a d Le s s on #2 Feeling good about your job is important, but feeling connected to the core and the mission of your career is even more important. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
11. Slide 11: JC Wh a t a bout th e “P h D S cie ntis t Ye a rs ”? You’ll have to buy my “5 Lessons in PhD Career Transition” for that sob story. I spent the entire 2007 writing this book while feeling as big as a whale during my pregnancy. More info at http://www.phdcareerclinic.com/ … but I’ll leave you with this final Career Nomad Lesson… © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
12. Slide 12: JC Ja ne Ch in’s Ca re e r Nom a d Le s s on #3 Everything you go through in career & life is valuable when you are willing to learn from it and build on it. © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM
13. Slide 13: JC Your Ins ig h t? Jane Chin, Ph.D. TEL (310) 542-5642 jane@janechin.com © Copyright 2009 by Jane Chin, Ph.D. All Rights Reserved. WWW.JANECHIN.COM