Is going into pharma career suicide as a mid-level creative?

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likeuplifting

I wouldn’t say suicide but it’s definitely harder to get into a creative shop after a pharma shop. Also think about what your portfolio is going to look like after a pharma shop.

likesmart

Beginning 5 years ago, healthcare continues to look like the only advertising which seems to have a future with clients spending money. Especially during a recession. Do with that what you will.

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If you want to work past 50 years old I’d say go for it.

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I agree with this. Pharma seems to be recession proof and although I did NOT enjoy the work I did in pharma, I have a sense of security knowing I can jump back in. In the long run, it’s an opportunity to acquire set of skills that are impossible to come by if you don’t start your career in pharma.

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Have a separate, hidden pharma portfolio, and pharma resume.

likehelpful

It’s 2020, take the road less traveled and do something unexpected during these unprecedented times. No one will ask why.

likeuplifting

IT IS. Don’t do it... Wait until you have to deal with all those regulations, routes, CVAs, Journal Ads, convention tactics and countless meetings about science 🤮🤮🤮

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Every friend I have that went into pharma stayed there and are the only people I know that din't change jobs every 2-5 years.

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Indie heavy-Pharma agency. That’s all I can say hehe

It gives you job stability because it’s such a huge industry that’s always looking for talent, but as someone who only did it for a year, it’s really difficult. Only because you have such limited creative freedom and it is SO different from the consumer world (a lot of brands are still really traditional/boring and the legal process is bananas. Legal review, proofing, etc. is NEXT LEVEL).

So on one hand, you make yourself a well-rounded candidate and give yourself job security (it also pays well and you don’t have to worry about clients running out of money...for the most part). But on the other hand, your portfolio definitely suffers from a creative/innovative perspective IMO.

I mean after only a year of experience in healthcare (9 in consumer world), health agencies still reach out to me to fill positions. And opportunities to join pharma without any prior experience are pretty rare, which is why I did it. I’ll still never go back if I can help it haha, but it’s nice to know I can!

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