Considering taking a Jr CW job in pharma in NYC after being on the job hunt for 9 months. The agency seems fine but I’m terrified of getting stuck in pharma. Chances of escaping if I hate it?

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I second what Sr CW said and would add that if you’ve been looking for 9 months, it’s likely you have bills to pay. If the job is consumer health, take it. Keep working on your portfolio and do your best to bring cool smart ideas to every creative share out. Learn as much as you can, get paid and network. Do it for a year. It’s not a forever job, it’s a first job. Gotta start somewhere

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You don’t have to be “stuck in pharma” forever. Worse case scenario, you just expanded your skill set making you more versatile/employable. You can always work on other stuff on the side. A tip—do NOT go to an agency that does Health Care Professional (HCP). That’s the heavy duty talking to MDs stuff. Lots of clinical trials to wade through that are terrifying. Go for Direct to Consumer (DTC). Easier to do. Good luck!

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@IS1—true. But if someone is already dreading pharma, HCP—as a junior—might push them over the edge. Not to mention PRC, Veela, ref & anno—it’s a lot to deal with for someone who went to (I assume) an ad school

Don’t do it at this stage, or ask to freelance and just list freelance and not the place you freelanced at

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Gotta start somewhere. The longer you’re out of a job, the harder it is to find one unfortunately.

I’d take the job, and keep working on side projects to show the kind of non-pharma thinking you’re capable of.

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To quote John Witherspoon, the word of the day is, "Job. J-O-B."

...just be prepared for other agency jobs down the pike (esp small shops) to likely be unable to pay like some pharma can. It’s tough to downgrade $$ downstream.
Not a reason not to bank on pharma now, just manage your longterm expectations.

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