What Is It Like Out There?

I've been out of the Pharma industry for 8 years. I thought I'd give back and share the top quest/answers I get.They might help someone?! There really is a life out here and you can survive, reinvent yourself and leverage your pharma skills.

What do I miss?
Bonus
Travel
That's it

What Am I doing?
Biotech Management-involves Pharma and academia

Did I go back to school?
Yes, I took class after class until I finished an MBA. I maxed out Education money on the table every yr until I got it.

How did I get out of pharma?
I sold myself out by levering my skills and resourcefulness

Would I go back?
Only to a truly consultative position where my consultations are requested (these jobs do exist). Besides, I was there when tracking was only a theory. Tracking is alive and well and you better be talking to the fly in the wall in the lobby of the hospital of the drs office where you can't see him anyone or you will be tracked and booted out. I would get the boot bc life is too short for that mess.

What's different?
I'm expected to be innovative, create and contribute-unlike pharma. I work super hard and I'm super accountable. Metrics aren't a part of my life and believe it or not, that's tough because I like to measure productivity and intended value. I usually create my own metrics for 'show n tell or review time.

What advice would I give?
Don't go into pharma thinking it's for life. It's a great op as long as you stay no longer than 3-5 years, continue to seek education/certification ops outside of pharma and go in with a goal then LEAVE. Do not get seduced by the golden carrot-it's lead and it will sink you! Oh yeh, trust NO ONE.

What feedback would help you?

 

The above post is mostly a big snooze, but the last paragraph is absolutely spot on and amazingly valuable advice...I stayed at the party too long, and now, (in my '50s) I am paying a huge price for my sloth...By all means read this poster's advice and carve it in stone. It is 100% accurate.

 

I get you poster, totally. I did stay for 15+ years. I stayed too long too-but I entered when the industry was for life, so I had to get the boot to leave. But the boot was based on a compliance fabrication forced on by the industry. Long story short, hit 41 and was out. I was glad and not strong enough to do it on my own. What I can promise others is that we all get our day of reckoning and when it comes-look for the opportunity in the release. It will be a shock but all things come to an end. Embrace and have a plan b. Enough to buy a car, keep uber on speed dial (don't ever let them humiliate you and send you home in a taxi cab), savings in the bank and continue to network and identify opportunity beyond pharma. Don't ever get complacent in this industry. When you do you're gone.

 

YOUR SLOTH.

Idiot.

Some of us actually take pride in our performance.

Go back to sleep and stay off these forums.

 

IM A HO MO

I don't have a job

My meds are wearing off

Mommys calling me

 

See how far that "pride" takes you Deli Boy...

The only pride i have is PRIDE IN THE NAME OF LOVE!! THANK YOU BONO!

 

This site really is awful now...reminder to not come back...carry on cream of the crop.

 

I am early 50s with 25 years in the industry. I am still here but don't know how much more I can take. Can you tell me what huge price you paid? I am too young to retire, and this industry does seem to come with golden handcuffs. What was your experience?

 

Your situation sounds almost identical to mine...The price I am paying is for all my careful saving, planning
and hard work, I find myself in my late 50s, hemorrhaging my savings at an alarming rate, (Breaking into retirement accounts that were supposed to grow until I was 62) and not being able to find meaningful employment. (just bottom feeder soul-killing commission only sales jobs.)

Having said all that, I think I saved my sanity as I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown from all the lying
cheating, fabricating, and general BS of pharma sales...I had to get out to save myself.

 

Ugh. I was afraid you were going to say that. So there is definitely age discrimination out there - that truly stinks. Thank you for the reply, I will definitely take it to heart. Hang in there my friend.

 

thank you for your kind words...best of luck to you...if you can, set aside some money to buy a small franchise
or come up with some business ideas....The unfortunate fact, is that unless you were a district manager or in marketing, trying to transition from the fake world of pharma sales to any real world significant job, is very, very difficult. (Not impossible but very tough.)

Whatever you do, don't stay if you feel it is taking a toll on your health, mental or physical. If you are starting to
become unhinged from the craziness of it all, get out, and don't worry about the money...the stress reduction alone is worth megabucks.