Practical Strategies for MSLs, Aspiring MSLs, and Medical Affairs Leaders

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

The MSL job search process can feel like an endless uphill climb. You send out application after application, only to be met with silence. You finally get an interview, but then you’re ghosted. Or worse, you make it to the final round, only to be t...

By Sarah Snyder

Becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) can change your life.

You’ll get to use your scientific expertise, build meaningful relationships with healthcare providers, and make a direct impact on patient care. For many, it’s the most rewarding career in the life sciences.

But her...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Inside the Aspire MSL program, we see imposter syndrome show up all the time. Not as a lack of ambition. Not as fear of the role. But as self-sabotage.

Aspiring Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) know they want the role but get stuck in a confidence ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD

You’ve sent out 30 MSL job applications.

Crickets. The problem probably isn’t your experience: it’s your resume.

If you are applying for jobs and not hearing anything back, it might be time to revamp your resume. When an academic decides to switch to the dark side (industr...

By Yutong (Rainey) Yang

The Turning Point in My MSL Job Hunt

Every MSL success story looks polished in hindsight. But behind every offer is a trail of rejections, awkward cold messages, and second-guessing. This is the real story behind my first MSL role.

We love success stories with clear tim...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD

 Visibility is the secret sauce to presenting better and most people are avoiding it. Here are 3 ways to see what you can’t unsee about your communication skills.

Tom Caravela didn’t always sound like a confident presenter. Back when he launched MSL Talk, listening to hi...

By Sarah Snyder & Patrina Pellett

It all started the way most great ideas do:

• A late-night text.
• A few "this might sound crazy" voice notes.
• And a deep, stubborn belief that there had to be a better way.

"What if we could make finding MSL training and career answers faster (like 24/7 fas...

By Sarah Snyder

"Don't bother applying to that MSL role directly - I can double your chances of getting an interview."

I used to think recruiters were just middlemen until I became one. Now, after placing hundreds of Medical Affairs professionals at top pharmaceutical companies, I've seen it al...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Imagine waking up to a notification that a recruiter is interested in you for an MSL position. Sounds like a dream, right? It's not! This is the power of a highly optimized LinkedIn profile.

However, many aspiring MSLs fail to utilize this power. ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Jamie, a recent PhD graduate, was over the moon when she received her first invitation for an MSL interview. However, her excitement quickly turned to anxiety as she sat in front of her computer, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information about...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

I have a friend who has a PhD in evolutionary biology from Harvard. She told me that she doesn't have transferable skills. My mind exploded 🤯. I thought you were crazy—you have so many transferable skills.

This is a common theme among folks with t...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

We are like a broken record over here about how important it is to network for your job search. It is absolutely one of the best ways to get your resume in front of hiring managers.  

Here are some great resources to improve your networking skills...