Careers for lab professionals who want to get off the bench: molecular, cyto, histo, med tech, etc.

laboratory, sales, job, hiring, career, recruiting, clinical, health care

When we go off to college, sometimes we choose a career that just does not satisfy our needs.  Many times scientists with the BS, MS, or PhD in the lifesciences or other science areas find themselves to be unsatisfied with the career opportunity that they discover themselves in a year or two after graduation.  What seemed fun and exciting is now boring and oppressive.  Often the love of science and the desire to continue learning is still there, but not the desire to continue in the present career path.  If you discover yourself in this job, here’s a list of possible positions for you, complete with brief descriptions where needed.  These career opportunities in revenue, service, and marketing exist in all areas of pharma sales:  medical laboratory, clinical diagnostics, molecular, cellular, medical device, biotechnology, histology, laboratory, hospital equipment, and lab.  If I miss any potential careers, feel free to add ‘em in the comments below.  Okay?

POSSIBLE CAREERS FOR THOSE WITH STRONG SCIENCE EDUCATION BUT NO LONGER WISH TO BE ON THE BENCH:

Sales

Inside Revenue Jobs - These are usually like call centers.  The key here is to be okay with the cold call and to have the optimistic attitude for success.  These positions can be fun and lucrative.  They usually have set hours and require no tour.

Outside Revenue Jobs - These are usually field-based positions.  They require someone with a lot of self-discipline and of course, that “revenue personality.”   These jobs can be extremely lucrative and have a lot of flexibility.  Depending on the size of the territory, the journey can be daunting.  You should consider going on a ride along if this is interesting to you - see this video for more info….  While I’m at it, I have 3 posts that explain different types of medical revenue– Part I, Part II, and Part III, as well as posts on pharma sales vs. pathology device sales, and how clinical sales compares.

Business Development/Technology Transfer - These career opportunities can range from someone who has a very strong technical understanding who investigates future products or acquisitions to someone who is a super salesman.  You need to clearly understand your personality and specifically the career opportunity you’re looking at.  These career opportunities are all different.  Assume nothing - ask a lot of queries.

Technical Service 

Applications Specialists - Usually the “applications” part means that you will help make sure that the assay or test is working.  Your company may provide a platform and your responsibility is to help the customer get their assays working on your instrumentation.  This can be very challenging, and a worthwhile field apps person has to be a great communicator.  These can be high-travel jobs.

Field Service Positions - This job is usually responsible for setting up a new system that a customer purchased and troubleshooting when that system is not functioning correctly.  These can be high-travel jobs.  (click this link for more info)

Field Technical Support - Same as above.

Customer Service - Maybe the company needs an extremely technical person to help the customer purchase the correct products.  This will usually be a phone-based job.  The hours will be set and include very little travel.

Technical Support - In-house - like the field-based position, but without the tour.  Communication skills for this career opportunity are really important.

Marketing

Marketing:  Strategic - (It’s important to note the difference between strategic and tactical.)  The strategic product management person is responsible for figuring out where the company should invest for future products and what the specifications for those products should be.  This is an original-thought kind of person who understands the value of customer feedback and communication.

Marketing:  Tactical - This person usually supports the field sales force with bulletins, pricing, and product training.  Marketing job descriptions that don’t clarify tactical vs. strategic are probably both.  Many scientists pursue the MBA to move into marketing.  Marketing positions can have a lot of travel.  Be sure to ask about the requirements of every position.  Never assume anything in the interview process.

Some additional careers you might consider that use your technical background:
Science Librarian
Science Editor
Science Writer
Science Illustration
Quality Assurance

Teaching - You probably know as much about this as I do…BioJobBlog has a post on this, as well as other great info on alternative science careers.
Patent/IP work - Some scientists actually pursue a law degree to marry with the technology.  Every company will have one of these on staff or on retainer.

Can you think of any more?

If you’d like to be considered for revenue, product management, or technical support jobs like those, click here  to submit your information to PHC Consulting.

Article courtesy of  Peggy McKee - Owner / Senior Recruiter at the nationally
recognized pharmaceutical and laboratory revenue recruiting team of PHC Consulting.
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