Welcome to the MSL Mastery Blog

By Sarah Snyder & Patrina Pellett

“What is an MSL salary?” It was 2:17 a.m. when Tina finally typed that exact question into Google.

She’d been a clinical pharmacist for 8 years, working holidays, taking extra shifts and watching colleagues leap into pharmaceutical roles while she stayed in the...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD

We've all experienced this person in trainings:

→ Combative from the first moment
→ Shooting down every exercise
→ Challenging every suggestion
→ Insisting, “We did this better at my last company.”

I bring a lot of energy to every training I deliver, but even I start to feel ...

 By Patrina Pellett & Sarah Snyder 

“We have a digital-first strategy. Help us train our MSLs on this.” 

We’ve heard this from a lot of senior Medical Affairs leaders lately. They’re being asked to lead digital transformation, but here’s the problem: 

Even at the top, people aren’t always clea...

By Sarah Snyder

Personal branding for MSLs and Medical Affairs professionals isn't optional anymore.

Think about it.

What's the FIRST thing you do before meeting someone new? 

You have their name and...

You Google them. 

Don't pretend you don't - we all do it. 🙂 

I was chatting with a well-respected ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn) 

Rejection is inevitable in the Medical Affairs world. Whether it's a job rejection, a KOL who won’t meet with you, or an internal opportunity that slips through your fingers, the sting is real. But the most successful MSLs don’t just survive rejec...

By Sarah Snyder

"Isn't she a little old to be moving into a new role?"

Someone seriously asked me that.

That question stopped me in my tracks – not because it was surprising, but because it reflects an

outdated mindset that has no place in today's pharmaceutical industry.

The Reality of Modern Ph...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

When Tom Caravela hosted Samantha Buckley on his MSL Talk podcast, they expected her story of transitioning from clinical pharmacist to MSL to inspire listeners. But what happened was totally unexpected: Episode 195, What's the ULTIMATE Checklist f...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Whoop whoop! You landed your first MSL role! 🎉

First things first. Take a moment to celebrate. Getting an MSL position is a huge accomplishment, and you should be proud! But now that the excitement is settling let's talk about what's ahead.

That ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

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2025 is YOUR year. It’s the year to elevate your impact, refine your craft, and prio...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Let me ask you something: who’s responsible for your career growth? Is it your boss? Your company? A magical hiring manager with a secret roadmap to your dream job?

Spoiler alert: it’s you.

Here’s the thing. Waiting for someone else to hand you o...

By Sarah Snyder

Setting your sights on becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) is an exciting career path! 

MSLs hold some of the most impactful roles in the life sciences, spanning across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics, and medical device industries. If you’re passionate about ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Most aspiring MSLs walk into an interview as their personable, engaging selves and then something strange happens. They switch to “robot mode,” giving overly formal, rehearsed answers. The warmth and authenticity that make them memorable vanish, an...