Welcome to the MSL Mastery Blog

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 powe...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Sarah Snyder always says one of the biggest misconceptions that aspiring MSLs have about the MSL role is that it is an educator role. Folks tell her they love educating and that's why they want to land their first MSL role. Many envision themselves...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

The Aspire MSL program is Tom Caravela and Sarah Snyder's secret sauce to helping folks land their first MSL position. Included with the online component of the program are weekly office and bimonthly group coaching calls. I recently started attend...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

As an aspiring MSL, you've likely asked yourself, "Do I have what it takes to be an MSL?" But as we've explored in my previous article, "Do You Have What It Takes To Be An MSL?", the more important question is: "Do I want to be an MSL?"

However, f...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Preparing for the first MSL usually makes people feel two very strong, but completely opposite emotions:

1. Extreme excitement
2. Blood pressure rising nervousness

It's high-stakes, so it makes complete sense to have this type of reaction. O...

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 are you crazy you have so many transferable skills.

This is a common theme among folks with...

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 skil...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Everyone talks about job searching being so painful but does it have to be? Why can't the job search process be something that you enjoy? This article is here to inspire you to flip your negative views of the job search on its head and instead thin...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Does this sound like you? You are finishing up your PhD, MD, or PharmD and cruising the job market. Or thinking of transitioning out of clinical practical and looking for industry jobs.

Then someone says you would be a good MSL or you randomly ...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

One of the most frequently asked questions that Tom and Sarah get is how to land an MSL role without experience?

Sarah always points out that 100% of MSLs start without experience. So many aspiring MSLs hear that they "don't have experience" an...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

"Do I have what it takes to be an MSL?" 

Tom Caravela and Sarah Snyder say this is the top question they get from aspiring MSLs. Many aspiring MSLs are coming out of their PhDs, post-docs, PharmDs, MDs, or clinical practice and aren't sure what...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

Pro networking skills are required to work in Medical Affairs. Whether you are an Aspiring MSL, existing MSL or in another Medical Affairs function relationship building is critical! With time and practice you get past the feelings of dread and anx...