Transitioning into life sciences industry from consulting, would you prefer to join a larger, established company (but slower to innovate) or a fast-moving, 'sexy' innovative company (e.g., AI in healthcare). Assuming both have strong brands + have experience in both industries, but given uncertain market conditions, what would you say is a better choice?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Smaller, financially stable companies may provide you with more opportunities to learn and do different things, while in larger pharma, one is pretty much stuck within one function for a long time.

like

Good point! Thank you!

Minor clarification but are you aiming for manufacturers or vendors?

like

Manufacturer :)

I'd say big pharma so you can learn the business from within and network. If you're surrounded by industry newbies like yourself at the sexy company, you're missing out.

Related Posts

22/F, fitness/health/travel junkie, Nashville. Slide in 😉

likeuplifting

Is it worth it to go back to school for a better track to a FAANG company? The division I’m currently in seems like there are no good opportunities, and I have the funds available to finish my undergraduate full time (Canada). I applied to Amazon before for a highly senior position and made it to final interview so I think I would have a better chance for a new grad type role.

like

Feeling cash strapped - Just bought a home and feeling cash strapped. Thinking about stopping 401k contributions for a year or so to get more cash. My firm matches 25% up to 6% of my contribution, so I will also lose this. Thoughts???

Anyone else struggle with feeling like you’ll never find a job you’re actually good at? I feel like no matter what I do I’ll never actually find my niche.

like

What's your favorite electronic health record? We have Cerner and while I like it- I've heard better things about other EMRs.

like

Is Account executive the goal once you become a BDR? What are the other paths that other people have taken?

like

I've been in merchant sales for a large bank the last several years looking to do a pivot. Any suggestions for a sales position for someone who's done outside sales for years but not in the tech industry?

like

Really burnt out from external audit at a B4. I just want to cruise by for a year until I can figure out my life. Not sure if a staff accountant position is the way to go… or maybe payroll? Other than internal audit, are there any accounting roles out there for someone who is terrible at managing stress haha

like

MSFT or AWS? As Tech Pre Sales and why?

like

A friend is considering deferring an offer (stem PhD) for 1 year straight out of undergrad to work in NY, either in a research institution or a biotech. She does not have any real work experience outside of her lab (3 years) and an adjacent internship. Another factor is she is just generally feeling burnt out on school after the last few years.
To what extent did you find that a year or two of work impacts prospects coming out of PhD? How might a year off from school impact her PhD work itself?

like

Getting ready to study for the CAMS exam. Do I need anything extra besides just studying the study guide and practice exam over and over. I’ve read online about people using AML assassin; is it worth it?

like

Would you say being a partner is more demanding than being an industry exec?

Any PMs have experience with moving off of Advantage (aka Webvantage aka Aqua) and onto a different PMS? Toying with the idea to suggest a move to Kantata/MavenLink.

When should a stub start getting worried about not having much work and low billable hours?
I’ve asked for work but no luck. I know they say this is normal for a stub but when should I start getting worried and consider looking for exit options? Fyi, I like my practice group, so I don’t want to change to a different group within my firm, hence would have to lateral, if I have to. Also, other co-1st years are churning in high hours.

like

Got an offer from Bain for Project Leader. Will it be worth leaving Gartner and joining Bain

like

We are trying to change plan. What you’ll think about Aetna EPO, heard it pays 100% for IVF? Currently on BCBS not much benefits if we would want to skip IUI and jump to IVF. Any suggestions here would be helpful. Thank you.

like
like

Any recommendations how to best prepare for CGFM exams? What resources did you use?

like

We did a booth at a Women's Health Fair. We do 1-2 events like this a year. They are exhausting and it's hard to judge whether they are successful. What are your thoughts?

like
like

More Posts

Big nerd alert - If you tell me your 1. Gender 2. Current city 3. City of birth 4. Religion 5. Race, I can guess if you are a Democrat or Republican to a 98% accuracy level.

funnylike

How many times is too frequent when you speak to your coach / team about manager promotions?

like

Hello Fishes,

Need your valuable suggestion here.... I am planning to pursue an MBA in marketing from a good brand however due to the fees/cost constraints not able to shortlist one. Can someone please help with a reasonable institute with good placement records?

Thanks!

like

Likes to open DM please ❤️

Post Photo
likeupliftinghelpful

Anyone from docusign knows the laptop models that employees get? I’ve heard Lenovo and MacBook - specifically are they Lenovo thinkpad x1 carbon, MacBook Pro 2021? 😬

like

Hello Barclays folks,
Good evening!!
I will be joining on 14th nov. I heard that if the bank account details are not updated before the 15th salary will not get credited for that month and I need to wait for next month for full payment.please let me know where to update and what's the lastdate

like

Hello Fishes,
What is the BYOD(bring your own device) policy in EY GDS?
thanks

like

Anyone here from Hashedin by deloitte providing refferal

I am looking for a job change, Please let me know if any openings are available

5 years of experience and I have brought very good results in Lead Generation and E-commerce with Digital Marketing.

I am skilled in SEO, Paid Ads, WordPress Website Development, Analytics mainly Performance marketing.

In e-commerce I have brought good conversion rate just by improving the ui/ux of the site.

How much do you think I can be paid in Navi Mumbai?

Context : I started from a startup agency and currently working in a Big well known agency.

like

Sometimes people ask why I love being an engineer. I always say that technological innovation is amazing! If we can use technology to make our lives easier, then why not?

like

Partners, when you identified a minor error from a deliverable that was reviewed by SA and manager. Do you mostly get upset/disappointed at the manager, SA or the associate?

I do things (late nights/weekends) that I don't think my managers/partner knows about since everything is running well - directly correlated with elected hours spent. Is it weird to bring this up?

like

Question for some of the senior partners on this bowl: do you mind sharing what does the the top end of partner comp look like? Is it like 2-3M annually? And how many years it took you to get there after becoming partner?

like

Hi all,
I have an urgent question regarding the flight and weight allowance that TCS arranges for Australia.
Kindly advise!!! Urgently needed!!

like

Hey Fishes

I will be joining Barclays Pune office in December.

I just wanted to know about salary account, do they need account in any specific bank or any banks old account would work?

like

Curious to know if anyone has switched from audit to consulting at big 4 and if they did it without a CPA? Also pay range after about 4 years in audit moving into consulting?

likefunny

Any big4 lawyers who transitioned to the IRS office of chief counsel (national office)? How do you like compared to big 4? I am particularly concerned about having to be in person (at the office) 2-3 days a week.

I’m an MS Management Student graduating in June 2023. I applied to over 40 positions within the Big 4/MBB and even with extensive networking, I haven’t heard back from any really. I have an offer from a pretty well-known but less prestigious Consulting Firm, but I’m wondering what my chances even are of going Big 4/MBB if I’m not a campus hire. Will they even consider me for an experienced hire a year or two down the road if they showed no interest this time? Any advice welcome!

like

Can someone tell me where is Axtria Bangalore location??

Additional Posts in Pharma and Biotech

likehelpful

So. I've been a Clinical Research Associate for a little over two years making $25.50 an hour. But with my company's CRA shortage and the fact that they are working to the bone, I'm ready to ask for a raise. What percent should I shoot for?

like

What kind of roles do you guys recommend for a pharmacist trying to pivot into pharma? Where can you go to see all the different types of roles available? I graduated with my PharmD in 2019 and I did a managed care residency and am now at a healthcare startup so my background is primarily on the health plan/digital health side

like

I have an interview for a technical writer position in the chemistry field. Coming from a lab based chemistry role I'm use to getting technical questions about my lab experience. With this role I'm interviewing for being office based, I'm not sure what questions they may ask. What interview questions can I expect for a technical writing position?

like

Has Pfizer done away with Assoc. Director roles in favor of Sr. Manager roles?

like

Hello Fish! Does anyone have experience working for IQVIA in a non consulting, corporate role? How’s the work culture?

Hello Fish Friends! Does a PhD count as project management experience?

like

Does AbbVie have a four day work week?

like

Anyone working for AstraZeneca or Pfizer within oncology?

Hi fishes! I'm currently looking to do a bit of a career switch from research in Medchem to a field service technician role (for laboratory instrumentation). I have applied a few places and got several phone interviews lined up. Can anyone tell me what type of questions I may get? Or general advice on making this switch?

like

What are your thoughts of switching jobs in the beginning of this recession? Would you stay if you had seniority? Current company’s a start up that has 18 months of run way but budgets are tight for next year. Acquired tons of sites and has 3000 employees. Thinking of leaving for smaller pharmas.

like

Anyone familiar with sobi? Interviewing for a dir role in the US and curious how the company is and the culture is like.

like

If the ultimate goal is to move in pharma/biotech (bd / strategy type role), does prestige of consulting firm matter? Or would it be better to work for less known firm that may have more client facing opportunities?

like

Considering that the end of this year will probably signal the start of a recession, is this a bad time to jump into a new role in Pharma?

like

Does anyone work for Biogen or BMS I have a free questions on a couple of positions I'm interested in.

Anyone know the salary range at Regeneron for Director, Development Program Management?

like

Anyone here doing Pharma marketing or any sort of data analyst work? If so, please let me treat you to coffee in exchange to pick your brain!

I’m curious about your career path, day in the life, do you enjoy it? Would love to connect!

like

What does drug testing look like after you get an offer?

Which company is better for tech management role - J&J or Amgen ? Looking for comments around WLB, internal growth, compensation etc.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal