How do people manage to transfer their skills over?
Discussion
As a senior Pharmacist with extra qualifications and experience in private outfits, retail pharmacy, and the NHS including mental health work alongside psychiatrists and psychologists, I am currently seeking to transition out of the pharmacy field due to a ceiling in terms of pay and progression (~£55k).
I have observed people from science backgrounds, such as biochemistry or chemistry, transition from hospital work to data analysis roles, including positions in insurance companies, or even completely changing careers to become IT sales engineers or similar roles. However, I am curious about how they manage to make such transitions with little experience in those fields without starting from the bottom again. Is it through nepotism or the gift of gab?
For example, whilst I have previously secured a job as a 1st line helpdesk support worker, I have also applied for roles such as a junior data analyst within the NHS, which I thought would be an easier transition due to my prior experience working for the NHS and knowledge of frontline issues and cost-saving initiatives (based on projects and audits that I have undertaken). However they don't seem to be interested and on LinkedIn all I receive are recruiters messaging me non-stop asking if I could work as a retail pharmacist (Boots, Lloyds etc), which I have no interest in doing as I have already done it.
Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I have observed people from science backgrounds, such as biochemistry or chemistry, transition from hospital work to data analysis roles, including positions in insurance companies, or even completely changing careers to become IT sales engineers or similar roles. However, I am curious about how they manage to make such transitions with little experience in those fields without starting from the bottom again. Is it through nepotism or the gift of gab?
For example, whilst I have previously secured a job as a 1st line helpdesk support worker, I have also applied for roles such as a junior data analyst within the NHS, which I thought would be an easier transition due to my prior experience working for the NHS and knowledge of frontline issues and cost-saving initiatives (based on projects and audits that I have undertaken). However they don't seem to be interested and on LinkedIn all I receive are recruiters messaging me non-stop asking if I could work as a retail pharmacist (Boots, Lloyds etc), which I have no interest in doing as I have already done it.
Any advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
I don’t know your field specifically, but I’d generally recommend the following:
1). Rewrite your CV to sound more like what you want to do, and play down what you have been doing. So if you want to do data analysis, re-describe your current role to convey the data analysis relevant parts as much as you can, and play down the other parts.
2). Be prepared to go down a level as you go across. If you want to minimise or avoid this, then consider making the move in two steps eg pharma specialist, then data analyst in pharma, then data analyst in something else.
3). Talk to headhunters and contacts, don’t just send a CV through LinkedIn. It a CV goes through a standard algorithm it will just get scored according to standard fit. If you want a more imaginative approach, you will need a human being who rates you and is willing to put through as an interesting alternative to their clients.
Hope that helps.
1). Rewrite your CV to sound more like what you want to do, and play down what you have been doing. So if you want to do data analysis, re-describe your current role to convey the data analysis relevant parts as much as you can, and play down the other parts.
2). Be prepared to go down a level as you go across. If you want to minimise or avoid this, then consider making the move in two steps eg pharma specialist, then data analyst in pharma, then data analyst in something else.
3). Talk to headhunters and contacts, don’t just send a CV through LinkedIn. It a CV goes through a standard algorithm it will just get scored according to standard fit. If you want a more imaginative approach, you will need a human being who rates you and is willing to put through as an interesting alternative to their clients.
Hope that helps.
I've had 4 distinct careers....
1. Navy Weapons Engineer
2. Facilities Manager
3. Application Support Manager
4. Business Analyst
Each had some crossover into the other. 1 to 2 had an engineering element. 2 to 3 was in the same business (corporate real estate). 3 to 4 was in the same industry (IT). What mattered though was my ability to learn/adapt, a bit of self promotion and pushing myself for the new roles.
I would say as a pharmacist you have the capacity to learn and apply yourself to broad range of careers. As an example my engineering mind made programming easier to learn as an application support manager. It's just problem solving using different tools.
One of the best PL/SQL (Programming Language) Developers I ever worked with was an ex chemist. He got made redundant in his mid 50's and fancied a career change. He picked up a PL/SQL text book and learned it in depth. He then picked up contracting jobs earning over 100k a year. His mindset as a chemist will have contributed significantly to his ability to learn another subject. His knowledge was expert level and he had only been doing it a few years.
Decide what you want to do and find out what skills you need. Learn those skills and start applying for jobs. Going back to PL/SQL the suppliers own training course is about a week. It's not hard to get the basics.
1. Navy Weapons Engineer
2. Facilities Manager
3. Application Support Manager
4. Business Analyst
Each had some crossover into the other. 1 to 2 had an engineering element. 2 to 3 was in the same business (corporate real estate). 3 to 4 was in the same industry (IT). What mattered though was my ability to learn/adapt, a bit of self promotion and pushing myself for the new roles.
I would say as a pharmacist you have the capacity to learn and apply yourself to broad range of careers. As an example my engineering mind made programming easier to learn as an application support manager. It's just problem solving using different tools.
One of the best PL/SQL (Programming Language) Developers I ever worked with was an ex chemist. He got made redundant in his mid 50's and fancied a career change. He picked up a PL/SQL text book and learned it in depth. He then picked up contracting jobs earning over 100k a year. His mindset as a chemist will have contributed significantly to his ability to learn another subject. His knowledge was expert level and he had only been doing it a few years.
Decide what you want to do and find out what skills you need. Learn those skills and start applying for jobs. Going back to PL/SQL the suppliers own training course is about a week. It's not hard to get the basics.
Edited by 98elise on Saturday 6th May 11:28
Do you know what software is used by people in your field? Do you have ideas on how that software could be improved, or new products created? Look for the software vendors in that space (ideally based in your country) then check their websites for roles in product management, data analysis, or business analysis
I was a Metallurgist in the steel industry with graduate+ professional qualifications. When the industry was carved up I returned to Uni to get a Management qualification to broaden my ability to diversify.
I was able to use my scientific background as well as new skills. I moved eventually into cigar making for a large company. Worked in production but was asked to move to QC/QA as my “skills” filled a gap identified there. It worked well and in many ways the science aspects were just modifications of science used previously.
“You canna’ change the laws of physics” as Scottie would say.
I was actually the only “scientist” and that linked ok with the engineers as I could give decent science answers. Physics, chemistry etc.. Even my Welsh speaking ability came into play when designated to take calls from Welsh Nationalists phoning in with threats! Never needed though.
i enjoyed my many years there as it was a very good company to work for.
One thing to look for is career development offers by employers. You never know when they could mean a big difference and open up opportunities. Not all do, mind. Some can be box ticking.
I was able to use my scientific background as well as new skills. I moved eventually into cigar making for a large company. Worked in production but was asked to move to QC/QA as my “skills” filled a gap identified there. It worked well and in many ways the science aspects were just modifications of science used previously.
“You canna’ change the laws of physics” as Scottie would say.
I was actually the only “scientist” and that linked ok with the engineers as I could give decent science answers. Physics, chemistry etc.. Even my Welsh speaking ability came into play when designated to take calls from Welsh Nationalists phoning in with threats! Never needed though.
i enjoyed my many years there as it was a very good company to work for.
One thing to look for is career development offers by employers. You never know when they could mean a big difference and open up opportunities. Not all do, mind. Some can be box ticking.
I spent 30yrs in the pharmaceutical industry and I often thought pharmacy would have been a better degree than chemistry. A lot of qualified pharmacists came into research roles especially in formulation research. They usually did a bit of locum work on the side to keep their dispensing practice up to date. At least two research directors I worked with were pharmacists. One production pharmacist ended up as a senior vice president of global production.
The sky’s the limit, good luck
The sky’s the limit, good luck
Pharma sales roles would be where you want to be surely.
Being able to talk the lingo, understand the subject matter, have contacts and be welcomed as one of them when trying to sell the latest drugs would carry a lot of weight with pharm sales out fits. Big money if you can actually sell.
Then you could transition out of that and do other selling or management roles.
Being able to talk the lingo, understand the subject matter, have contacts and be welcomed as one of them when trying to sell the latest drugs would carry a lot of weight with pharm sales out fits. Big money if you can actually sell.
Then you could transition out of that and do other selling or management roles.
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