Andrew Croydon
Director, Education and Examination Policy & Partnerships
Despite a wealth of easily accessible information online, choosing the right career in industries such as the pharmaceutical industry remains a difficult decision.
Growing up, we might only know people who work in offices or services jobs. Therefore, we might assume our options are limited to the same, which may or may not be right for us. Another critical source of information is what we see and read online, on TV and social media. These channels can mould our ideas about what certain industries do and what sorts of people work in them.
Pharmaceutical career perceptions
Perceptions play a big role in our decision-making, and not always in a positive way. They can make it hard to make clear, unbiased and informed choices about what we want and what’s possible for us in our careers.
Take careers within the pharmaceutical industry. People are often shown in lab coats with microscopes and scientific equipment. While this is a fair reflection of some pharmaceutical research jobs, many more will look nothing like this. There is a vast variety of roles and career paths to choose from. In fact, most jobs in the industry will never require you to wear a lab coat or use scientific equipment.
Today’s pharmaceutical industry caters
to a wide range of skills and backgrounds.
Diverse opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry
Today’s pharmaceutical industry caters to a wide range of skills and backgrounds. There are roles ranging from data science and engineering to regulatory affairs and global logistics, from finance and patient advocacy to human resources and marketing. The huge spectrum of opportunities means people from almost any field can contribute to our mission to improve health and develop innovative new treatments for the benefit of people everywhere.
Make informed career decisions
Choosing a career path is never easy, especially when there are so many options, but looking beyond stereotypes and doing your research to explore what is out there may just find you a path that aligns with your interests and strengths. The pharmaceutical industry offers a chance to make a meaningful difference in ways you may have not considered.
