Is life better or worse after Schering?

Curious about those let go after Schering/Merck merger....Are you still in pharma, or in a completely different field? If different, where did you end up, and do you like it better than Schering?

 

Life is better.

I'm selling for a Home Health Agency and making about 2/3 what I did at Schering, but my QOL is 3X better: much less after hours work, no worthless reports to run that no one looked at anyway, working with genuinely good people who have the patients' best interest at heart, field rides with a boss who is there to help-not check off a list to see that my 'behaviors' match what home office dictates.

I miss the money occasionally, but then I remember how much it cost me and my family. Had a wise DM at Schering who left and told me "If your salary increase is going to pay for counseling, is it really worthwhile?"

 

Left SPRI a little more than 2 years ago for Celgene. Was in the Phase 2-3 cardio Ops group. Life is so much better now. Dont dread Sunday nights knowing Monday mornings are looming over me. Not working 9 hrs at the office only to go home & get on-line some nights. Have a boss who believes in QOL and colleagues who focus on high quality & good relationships. Are there some days which are not too stellar? Sure, but I'm very pleased I jumped the ship before the Merck purchase.

 

I went into finance. I agree no more micromanaging BS, reports and yes men. There are other jobs out there that value an intelligent mind. Good luck

 

Life is better after any pharma/lab sales job. I was micromanaged so much so that my manager told me I couldn't even expense a dollar cup of coffee. WTF. The expectations for me were so much higher then the rest of my team. I was working 14-15 hr days and then weekends to catch up on expense reports. My manager was so insecure and if I had any type of opinion about how business would run better - watch out! s/he would retaliate against me. My manager sent so many emails to me that on top of working non-stop, I had to read all that crap. Then started all the lies about me. I know I'm happy now, and I sincerely hope you all found great jobs!

 

This is me exactly-- I was fortunate at SP- had a great DM for years, then got a bastard who was universally despised. I'm with HH as well and life is great-- no where near the level of sophistication as in phama, but no where near the bs-- not even close.

I used to entertain thoughts of going back into pharma--but everyone I know there is miserable and it's just a matter of time till the hammer falls there. I'm quite content where I am. I'm VERY happy I didn't make it to Merck

 

This is an excellent post and I thank you. I left my past employement and have found peace. Like you, my QOL improved dramatically. I actually look forward to working and having a life again. I was working so much at my last place of employment that I lost touch with a lot of good friends. It's nice to be close with family & friends again.

I liked my work for my previous company, and was skilled but my ex-boss was intimidated by me. It wasn't entirely his fault; I would get aggravated with s/he when s/he was so narrow-minded. My boss would not side with his team - never had your back. He played the smooching game with management and believed whatever BS they told him. He was very controlling and in the in end things got ugly. My position was unique and I had a lot to offer the company's customers. I intimidated some individuals when I questioned their unethical behaviour/practices. They just weren't being honest, and I called them out on it. The also ridiculed me non-stop - I have over 50 derogatory nicknames.

There were back-stabbers galore and it was cut-throat company. I didn't know who to trust. I'd hear different answers to questions all the time. I think I even had a mild case of depression because I was frustrated a lot. Working 14 hr days and having no life will do that to you. I'm not married or have children but I'm not sure how people with families can do this work.

I agree with you point about endless "check off" lists. How worthless all those reports were (I spent weekends doing). I know that they were never read. I guess it was just for documentation. I used to chuckle at what a waste of time. If I was 20 minutes late sending my report in my boss would have a conniption fit. Absoluely ridiculous!

Best of luck to you and your family! Take care, and happy holidays.

 

drafted over from bayer.....we were the marines and suddenly we got assigned to be part of the coast guard.....very frustrating.....

 

Funny above. Have a great x-mas. I hear there are good benefits in the military and great secretaries that proof read all your documents. Lol. Move along now...nothing to see here.

 

Schering WAS a good company -- maybe the sales force reps of years ago won't say that. I agree micro-reports, etc. very frustrating.

However, repeat after me -- SCHERING WAS MUCH BETTER THAN MERCK EVER COULD BE

I was transitioned under the merger to Merck. At first I was grateful to have had a job. But then under that company heading - I was given a year + to just get more frustrated by the day so that mentally I was ready to go.

That was a gift from my wonderful husband looking down from heaven. He wanted me to have no regrets leaving and I have none.

I was blessed to have structured my life to be prepared for the day. We lived frugally, I worked as long as I could to get me closer to social security timeframe. I am happy every single blessed morning.

In answer to your question, is life better after Schering? No, not when it meant working for Merck. Is life better now? -- Hell yes!

 

How is life different after Schering?

I can not say my life is better or worse, what I can say is that I am still unemployed. I am one of those people in their 50's...too much experience and too old. I have applied in almost every field of work only to have gone to about six interviews since January 2010. I have made major changes in my life - and tired of living this way. I do realize that I am fortunate in that my home is paid for and I have money in my 401K rollover IRA that I am depleting because I need that money to live. Earlier today I had to call my IRA account and request 30000 to be cashed and mailed to me, so things like this just pisses you off. But not having a job, any job, something to do does play on you. I would love to work like a customer service desk job anything, but employers will not even consider you because they think you will want more money.
Damn, look at this, I can not write that well anymore, oh well. I am sure there are many others like me. But we are making it somehow. Happy New Year

 

Really. I always expected better from you. It really is sad to see what you've become.

 

What a nice board. WTF.

 

No, life was not better after SP. Merck sucked big time. We were so lucky to have worked for a company that listened to us if we felt something wasn't right or could be done better a different way. M couldn't care less. Deal with was their response. Couldn't wait to get the hell out of there.

 

Better!

Left Merck after not getting a package!
Went into Biotech and have made about 200k every year!

 

I did very well in real estate --- making >$635K/year! Screw pharma and the old SP!!