Hi Guys, I've heard it all, and gotten different opinions from everyone I've spoken with. Got my degree in life sciences in 2003, made the mistake of picking pharma sales over research when I had the chance to work for PPD. I truly regret this...but I cannot find a crack in the wall in which I can inch my way in to clinical research again. I have been told to work for a CRO...but they won't even entertain me with no professional research experience. How do I get in??? Help a buddy out...don't give any asshole responses.
breaking into any business is highly illegal and frowned upon. with that said, you may want to look at "entry-level" jobs for your given area of interest. Below are a few: sales - proposals sales - inside sales (some CROs like PPD and INC Research offer inside sales positions) project management/operations - project analyst or project administrator clinical operations - clinical trial administrator (CTA) or junior CRA. The bigger CROs are the ones who usually take on folks with no or limited experience. Companies like Quintiles, PPD, INC Research/Kendle, PAREXEL, ICON, etc... good luck....
also talk to Kelly Scientific Resources, KForce, Clinforce as a way in through the staffing companies. Consider getting back in via data management position or in-house CRA, with the Pfizer deal at Parexel and ICON, they may have to hire lots of people
PPD is a great place to start out as a CRA. When I started, they put me through a mandatory monitoring training program- it doesn't matter how much experience you have in clinical research, you have to go through the course. If you don't pass the test at the end of the course, you are a no-go. I think that the PPD training is excellent. Once you're in, you'll be assigned to a project that may or may not be well-run. It's the same in every CRO. Luck of the draw there. My line manager was great.
As far as CRO training PPD, I hear, has the best. I think 5-6 weeks? All the other CROs don't have any mandatory training. You shadow another CRO and hope that you learn all that you need with the standard training model of "see one, do one". However, PPD doesn't have the best reputation in the industry. I think for some time in the past, even with their training programme they had a LOT of incompetent CRAs and word got out. I think they have been trying to change that in the last few years. Good luck breaking in.
PPD is a good company to start out in because they treat all new employees as if they know absolutely nothing and have no expectations. I can attest to that fact that it is a good environment to learn in because there aren't any real repercussions when (not if) you screw up. Which site are you looking to work at? You might be best off trying to get your foot in the door by taking a shit job with PPD for a while because there's a handy policy at PPD that allows you to transfer to another job or group within PPD at no cost to you once you've been working there a year. A few of my coworkers have done this. With a life sciences degree, you could easily swing a lab tech or equivalent entry-level job. Once you've been running around doing menial work for a year, you'll have a much better idea of where you can move to next.
Could anyone give me an average salary for a CRA in this industry? Looking to get out of pharma and into CR as well. Expecting a pay cut but willing to sacrifice for a bit more longevity Thank you!
AGREED. look at starting with no experience as a CRA around 50. To get your foot in the door, you could see about working as a study coordintor at a clinic that runs clinical research trials to get some experience. But expect to get paid less at that.
I've worked twice for PPD. It all depends on who they have working there at the time. For the most part, you are over-worked and underpaid at a CRO....but it is a good way to get started. It's a lot better at PPD than Quintiles. I know Quintiles from the Sponsor side in working with them. They are awful. About the PPD training: Yes, it is quite comprehensive; however, there are a few things that are taught where the information is incorrect. When I started as a regional QA auditor (with 12 yrs. of QA experience) and had to go through this session, I reported the discrepancies to my boss. That was the wrong thing to do. They also want you to do things the PPD way; even if it is contrary to the rest of industry. So if you get a job with PPD, work hard and keep your mouth shut.....and whatever you do, don't ask questions if you have a boss who is unsure of themselves. There has been a lot of bullying of employees coming down from executive management. Awful.
Someone mentioned taking a lab tech position if you are trying to break into clinical research. Don't do that. Once you work in the lab, you become a "bencher" and it is really hard to move over to the clinical side. As a manager, and when I've had open positions, I never considered a "bencher". I switched careers years ago to get into this industry. Tough to do. I got into a moderate size CRO as a temp....manually reviewing CRFs....back in the day before EDC. It's all about what door opens for you and what path you take. Nowadays, competition for jobs is really stiff. If worse comes to worse, get into a pharma company as an intern (you won't get paid). Once the internship is over (over a summer or maybe a year), you have a really good chance of being hired by that company because they already know what you are capable of. Be creative, don't give up, and network....network....network.....and get your profile on LinkedIn!!!
I mostly agree with this post. In my experience, I have seen unreasonable travel schedules put on CRAs (rven changing their flight information without consulting the CRA to discuss feasibility first), the bullying is unbelievable, and a good portion of the company does not understand or know the legal way to do their job (CRA, PM, management, all the way up the chain). People cannot speak out to share new and possibly improved, more efficient ways to do something, things are only done the PPD way but the company expects a different (better) result. If looking to learn the right way, grow in a good reputation to be hired by better companies, go to Quintiles. They are known to have the best training for all positions and have a high integrity and ethical standing
