I had the BALLS to leave pharma!

You are not alone...I too have floundered in my '50s post pharma, and really regret not taking my career more seriously and just taking the easy pharma money...big mistake...

The experience of getting pushed out at 50, sent me into a severe cast of PTSD that I still struggle with
today...

Pharma is the biggest mindfu$k job in America...100 grand a year for working part time a few hours a week.

But in the end, the psychic toll it takes on those with good, well-meaning souls, is catastrophic.

 

The problem with most of you is that money is your god. Pathetic way to go about life. And, you will never understand who you are or why you are here.

 

tru dat...Now, looking back on it, chasing easy money in the pharma industry was pure folly...

live and learn...

 

Well, the world needs ditch diggers and environmental clean uppers. Good luck.

 

My transition story? I thought you were about to tell me how you cut your dick off because you clearly have no balls thanks for leaving old man.

 

I am floundering also, in my mid 50s now and drank the pharma koolaid in the 90s. Saying I’m now burned out is a horrendous understatement. I am physically and mentally done. I have managed to get into the animal health segment, and while the audience is more receptive, it’s the same shit.

I really want to be motivated, enjoy what I do and find some meaning in it, but I’m passed that point. And the company is not helping, with 3 salesforce-wide substantial pay cuts in 3 years and universal hatred of the upper management BS. The new year will bring a hard target search for something new...

 

I hear ya...only those who have worked in the industry truly know what you’re going through. Hopefully you’ve saved some of the pharma “ funny money” you’ve made over the years. All the best to you...you’re not alone in this.

 

Too many haters in the industry is right. I know several reps in states where access is exceptionally good and the old rules of HCP rep interaction still stand. These reps act like they are something special as their sales are above those without access. The reps with access often can't even pronounce the disease state they work within, but they have attitudes that those without access can't sell.

Pharma is an unfair business, but most business is unfair. Taking a step back from the haters, working your territory, doing your best without running yourself ragged, saving your money and learning new skills for the inevitable day that you can't find another pharma job is the best course.

I remember when I was in my flying 30s and 40s with a great job making real $. I met an old rep in an airport who was in his 50s, with a shit job, shit drug, just burnt out. I thought, I'm too good to let that happen to me. Well, now I'm in my 50s, shit job, shit drug, burnt out. But I planned ahead and will exit to another career in 6-12 months if all goes as planned. It's never to late to learn a new skill.

 

You can always go build fences or do some type of environmental cleanup. Best of luck!

 

It's never too late to learn a new skill...Well, it sort of it actually...trust me...Learn all you want but in America in 2018, if you are in your '50s, the kid is getting the job not you with you shiny new skill...

Unless you put some capital up for risk and start selling something needed in your own business you are basically fuc%ked post-pharma.

Your options will all be crap like, merchant services sales, bottom-feeder commission only jobs, selling insurance, selling home security, etc...\

you're screwed unless you want to do those kind of jobs in your '50s...

 

Now imagine being a minority male in your 50’s, 40’s, 30’s, or 20’s being interviewed by a panel of Good Ole Boys and being told he’s not a “fit.”

 

Now imagine being a white male and being passed up by a less qualified minority male just to fit a quota....

 

Would you rather have the Good Ole Boy Network Or some madeup quota? Who makes 95% of hiring decisions in Pharma? Look around at a National Sales Meeting. If you can’t find another job, sorry but you are a horrible candidate.

 

Judge Smails? Dat you?

 

It’s my ghost. I need some respect - nobody respected me.Not even the the environmental clean up guys

 

all jobs are bad these days. the smart ones are starting their own business.

 

That’s False! Lots of great jobs in this economy. What a loser attitude. The problem is you have accepted mediocrity. You have zero motivation to go above and beyond. You and I have different priorities. I have equity in my company and can’t stand those with constant excuses. Excuse makers like yourself, should all be fiired.

 

I have a challenge: Neither one of you is false! You said you have equity in YOUR company ( pretty sure you mean in your job)? The poster above you who thinks having their own business is better than any job...lets say - he/she simply had jobs but believes being Self- employed may be a better option .You both don't know what is the best for you and if it will work for you. This is an older entrepreneur who is speaking to a recent graduate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7aNCkKF-PQ