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That’s what I am talking about 😅
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Top health care agencies in nyc?
Mentor
Any info on the agency Heartbeat in NY?
Conversation Starter
That’s what I am talking about 😅
Top health care agencies in nyc?
Mentor
Any info on the agency Heartbeat in NY?
I switched as a senior employee and it was very stressful. You’re learning a new agency and new clients and a new industry all at the same time. Hang in there, it gets easier. I was ready to quit every day and then at 90 days enough things clicked to give me confidence. And then again at 6 months, 9 months and a year. I am still constantly learning new things about the industry but that’s also why I made the move. It’s challenging and you can do it.
Needed to hear this today. Thank you.
It’s been over a decade at this point, but I went to art school and now am an account lead on high science brands. You’ll be able to figure it out. Pandemic def made it worse, think we all got a little stressed.
Pointers for the Pharma side for someone starting out-
1. Write down all the acronyms at first. They will never stop coming, ever. Learn them best you can, and start to understand which ones are interchangeable (I.e. MLR, PRC, PRT, etc all are the medical, regulatory and legal review teams depending on client preference for name).
2. Get to know the process. The biggest difference is scrutiny from the MLR review, and then Launch has its own OPDP stuff. The process is fairly similar across all things, so know the foundation
3. Keep google open at all times and look up words you don’t know on the spot.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions on meaning, but do so in small settings. Don’t be on a client call and blurt out you don’t know something that seemingly everyone else does. Wait until after and discuss with your supervisor.
- I was sent home with a sales aid to learn when I first switched into account when I was young. I spent an entire evening trying to figure out what “prophylaxis” meant, which was what the entire piece was about lol (my broke roommates and I didn’t have a computer and you couldn’t search shit on the old blackberrys)
There’s a learning curve, but you’ll get their if I can. The money is much much much better
This is very helpful, thank you!
I have been told countless times it’s easier to make a switch to consumer than it is switching to pharma. Not only are there a lot of regulations you need to understand because of the FDA but you are really speaking in a different language with all the terms and acronyms. It does get easier but can understand what you are going through dealing with learning in a fast paced remote environment. It is up to you to decide if the reward is worth the struggle.
Hi 👋🏼 I just switched from vendor side to a pharma agency ~5 months ago in a Sr role. And 100% remote which can be challenging on its own so I totally understand! I had many days I wanted to quit and told myself I wasn’t “smart enough” to work in pharma. It was very stressful and sometimes I am still stressed. Its a huge learning curve. I am still learning something new everyday and you need to allow time for yourself to learn. Management should understand!
Eventually, things will start to click. It will get better. Write down everything. Ask your team/manager questions. Ask to shadow different departments and what they do specifically in the pharma space (this is helpful to me). Also try connecting with people in your agency even if it’s just a Slack ping or a call. It helps to get to know people while working remotely.
Hang in there!
Wait same exact situation here. We have the same title too. Surreal. I’ve been in my role for a year now and things started to click around 6 months 😊
Oh all the acronyms. Having switched from consumer, I’ve also wanted to give up after 90days. But truly things get better from there once you know the language, the culture, the industry. Hope you will get there! Just keep an open mind and always remember, it’s still advertising
To all those of you saying you struggled: I am on the medical team. I am always happy to explain things pharmaceutical (I love to show off!). FDA workings, the manufacturer's review process, and of course the drug and disease state.
Please, ask your medical person for answers. Consider us tech support for medical/scientific information.
Most of you are all set, but please pass this on to your junior colleagues.
I agree with other commenters. You will settle in and the Pharma red tape and jargon will become second nature. There’s a lot of career growth opportunity in Pharma if you end up sticking with it. You may be feeling the additional pressure of starting a new job as well. It’s hard to learn a new agency’s process of doing things.
I’m a mid-level employee that moved into pharma 2.5 years ago. I felt SO overwhelmed because I started on a new team and had to learn pharma and then BOOM! Pandemic hit and we were all working remotely. My stress was so intense it manifested into alopecia (balding on my scalp) which terrified me because I never heard of women balding before. I had to get steroid injections to stimulate the hair growth. I ended up switching teams and no longer feel the stress I had before.
Perhaps reach out to your team for support if you’re stressed out?