Are you thinking of joining a Clinical Research Organisation (CRO)?
Morning meeting at a CRO
From my experience, obtaining a position within a CRO can be significantly more manageable and more accessible than joining a pharmaceutical company. It is the perfect opportunity to make that first step when transitioning from a healthcare professional or academic role to the industry. Many applicants need to understand how a CRO works or completely overlook a CRO or agency. Those who do this are only cheating themselves and limiting their options.
For those who don't know, clinical research organisations, aka CROs, work closely with pharmaceutical companies and are strategic partners. Although CROs may not have their portfolio, they partner with and work closely with companies that do. If you hold ambitions to work for a pharmaceutical company, the exposure you can receive through working with a CRO can give you the insight and experience you need to make the next step in your career.
CROs have a history of partnership with medical affairs; this includes contractual activity with MSLs, medical information and medical advisors, ranging from medical writing activity to statistical analysis and medical review.
Advantages
Diverse Exposure
CRO can give you diverse exposure to various therapy areas and products. You will be able to understand the different strategies within each region and how each pharmaceutical company operates. This can broaden your skills and understanding of the industry.
Networking
CROs can grow your network rapidly, as you will be working with many different pharmaceutical companies; these relationships you build will allow them to keep you in mind for when an internal opportunity areas.
Remote working
This is also an advantage of working within a modern-day pharmaceutical company; however, post-pandemic CROs are operating remotely, and many of your colleagues may be based in other parts of the world, such as India.
Development
Fast growth opportunities within a CRO, depending on its size, you will be exposed to a wide range of activities, therefore, a faster growth rate across diverse areas than working on one specific site. You'll likely be exposed to challenging projects faster and forced into cross-functional collaboration.
Disadvantages
Workload
CROS and agencies are notoriously known for their high workload and demanding agencies; it is not uncommon for employees to be expected to account for all their time, up until the nearest 15 minutes in some cases; this is not for everyone, certainly not me. Don't be shocked to see tight deadlines and clients badgering your email. You will need strong time management skills and prioritisation to survive.
Control
You get the projects which are given to you. Your ability to influence and make decisions will be limited to none; you must adhere and bend backwards and forward to clients' needs and expectations.
Pay
Often the pay and benefit for CROs and agencies can be much lower than a pharmaceutical company; you're less likely to be entitled to a robust salary package such as bonuses, car allowances and equity. Consider this in the short to medium term.
Conclusion
Whatever path you choose, consider all your options carefully; no decision is permanent and working for a CRO can serve its benefits as a career in its own right or a stepping stone to something else. Thanks for reading; until next time.