Career trajectory advice?
All,
I’m coming up on 2 years as a CR2 at a large university site.
I got into clinical research more by chance than by choice at the end of grad school when my father entered hospice care and needed to be taken care of. At the time I was entertaining continuing my grad work. But my mom and dad needed my support financially and logistically at home so I graduated with my masters and got a job as a CR2 to help out. The job has had good flexibility, and it was a godsend during his hospice care.
However, I feel like I don’t have great perspective on my options to advance my career. I’ve begun to feel a bit trapped. The staff where I am is phenomenal to work with. The pay isn’t. I know I’m worth more given my performance and work history in science, medicine, and healthcare.
I’ve asked for a promotion since at 2 years I’ll have the credentials they ask for new CRC3s hires at my institution. But as with all academic institutions, It’s not a simple process that’s likely to occur quickly.
I’d appreciate any guidance on how I can best build my career. I’d like to do meaningful work that matches my aptitude and ability more than just make money. But I also need to be making more than I am now to not get priced out of my city and be able to build a life. I moved recently and almost got priced out of my city.
———————————————————
I’m happy to share my cv with anyone privately if that will help. I’m also not really thrilled at the idea of traveling for work.
I’ve also scheduled meetings with my PIs and manager I work with to discuss my career advancement.
I’m also willing to go back school if that’s needed. I should have good education benefits through my employers at the graduate level.
I could really use some mentorship to help see a way forward.
Thanks in advance.
Posted Mar 25, 2023, 7:04 PM UTC
My best advice is don’t go to school unless it’s required for something you are determined to be. A one size fits all degree is kind of worthless and just weighs you down with debt.
A degree is nice, but the bulk of every application is work experience. And you are getting it!
So, where to start:
Do you want to travel or not? If yes, consider CRA. For a young person looking to get paid soon, there really is no better option in the industry. It’s demanding, but if you don’t mind travel and want to get to 6 figured asap - that is how.
If you don’t want to travel, you have numerous options. In the US and at a big CRO, there are typically 2-3 common routes. (Of course there are more than this though).
For someone trying to just get started, clinical trial assistant/project assistant. As a CRC, you’re more likely to be considered for one of 2-3 “next step” positions, especially 1-2.
You can go study start up (either regulatory or contracts work)
You can go remote site monitor (something like In house CRA or site management associate)
Project analysts (think of these as project managers in training - I don’t understand this role well so I’m not the one to ask.)
My advice:
send your resume out like crazy. You’re going to get rejected some, but who cares.
don’t take too much notice of the many complaints on this sub. I’m sure they’re mostly warranted, but people aren’t typically coming on here to share how amazing their jobs are. It’s usually only the negatives. For example, I’ve got friends at syneos that like their jobs, but you’d think it was ran by Scrooge himself based on this sub. With these companies hiring 40000 employees, there is always a chance you’re going to get a bad one. You can usually tell by the interview!
Good luck!
Thanks a bunch for this. I had a certain goal for my life/career up until I needed to get a job. So it's been a bit intimidating to get started rebuilding that in a different direction. I'll look into these. Gonna save this to my one drive.