Many people are looking for a new job after the COVID-19 pandemic has left them feeling disconnected from their workplace. North Carolina’s life sciences business is expanding, particularly in the contract research organization sector, which has proved its durability in the face of numerous recessions.
Here are four insider ideas for those who want to start a new career or transition into a new one after a long time in the field.
There are always lessons to be learnt at every stage of your profession, from entry-level positions to managerial positions. This is especially true for those who are new to clinical research.
“I began my career as an intern at a small biotech business in North Carolina, where I worked as a clinical research coordinator. Alvita Amanchukwu, manager of clinical operations at PRA Health Sciences, says she was able to learn a lot about oncology while working in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. “I was able to learn from the medical directors who were writing these protocols and doing this research,” she says. For me, being a sponge and absorbing as much as I could from those I worked with was critical to my progress in the field. The best tip I can provide to somebody just starting out in the field is to soak up as much information as possible from all angles.
An entry-level position has significance even for people who are anxious to rise through the ranks.
As an entry-level employee, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in clinical research. Trying to figure out when I could begin the training and be promoted was a continual concern of mine. As a CRA with Covance by Labcorp, Tony Connell remarked, “I wouldn’t recommend going straight into the [clinical research associate] route without that entry level position, because you can take so much in.” I am at the crossroads of a number of various parts of a trial as a criminal investigation (CRA).” The more experience you have gained from previous positions, the better equipped you are to succeed in your current position. In order to succeed, you need to absorb the knowledge you gained at your entry level position.”
To get an interview for a clinical research position, it’s important to have a flawless resume. However, even the most little of tweaks can help you get the job. Make a list of your relevant talents before you begin applying for these positions.
Your resume needs to be updated. Even taking a CPR class counts as clinical and data-related experience, according to clinical research associate Michael Quinn of Syneos Health. “Put it on your resume because you may not think it’s worth it,” he advised. Our work involves resolving problems with project management on the ground. A good place to start looking for entry-level positions is if you’re a student enrolled in an undergraduate degree.”
Many employers are seeking for such emphasis on talents, as Quinn stated, in traditional resumes.
I like a résumé that emphasizes my abilities rather than my education. They’re a terrific method to show off your transferable talents, and they’re really useful. Amanchukwu added, “If you’re looking at a job advertisement and you have some experience in statistics and other areas, that’s a highly transferrable talent. As a potential employer, I’d like to see someone’s resume begin with a “About Me” statement, followed by a list of their talents and competencies, and then a section on their work history or education. As a rule of thumb, I always recommend putting the job description on one side of your screen while you’re working on your CV on the other.”
You don’t need to know everything about the bio sciences field to succeed in your job. Many clinical research positions are open to people with a wide range of educational backgrounds and degrees.
At the time, I was working in legislative research and had no idea what a CRO was, so I decided to look into it. “I have a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and worked as a pharmacy technician for three years in college, but I had no clinical research experience prior to this position,” said Connell. The pharmaceutical, medical device, and biotech companies were all I believed were responsible for everything in my head,” he said. The medicine was manufactured, tested, and marketed by the company.
Training for a new career path may be available to you if your current job is in a scientific sector, or even if you’ve worked there before.
At the time, Amanchukwu said, “When you’re trying to make that transitional shift to a CRA, the majority of our CROs now have robust training programs that they put you through that will help and teach you all the terminology that’s a second language to us,” which is a second language to Amanchukwu. To create a report and engage with your locations and handle your challenges, there are wonderful training programs available at every organization in the country.” Take use of the company’s training and support system to ensure your success. In the future, you’ll be better off for it.”
Don’t underestimate how much and how diverse your clinical research experience can be from a single employment. If you’re prepared to put in the effort, you can acquire a remarkable amount of knowledge in the industry.
The research coordinator position at large hospitals and smaller research sites will teach you a great deal. When you work at the location, “you’ll get an opportunity to combine your nursing and teaching responsibilities,” Quinn added. There is a lot of focus on training and simplifying things because it is so difficult and fast-paced.
There are so many various aspects of a clinical trial that a CRA is responsible for: data management; safety; regulatory; shipping; as well as project management,” says Connell. A wide range of activities are available to me on a daily basis. I’ve been known to complete six completely unrelated tasks in the same day. There are days when I can confidently say, “Yes, I can do this,” or “Yes, I can do that,” even though it’s not every day.
