By Sarah Snyder

Two MSLs walk into the same office.

Same clinical trial. Same slide deck. Same level of scientific knowledge.

One walks out with a quick “Thanks, we’ll let you know.”

The other walks out with a deeper relationship, shared insights, and a clear next step.

The difference isn’t the sc...

By Patrina Pellett & Sarah Snyder

If we had a dollar for every time someone asked, “What should I wear to the interview/conference/meeting?”, we’d fund our own MSL Mastery clothing line.

It’s easy to downplay this stuff. You're a Medical Affairs professional, not a fashionista. We know this job...

By Sarah Snyder

The Problem: MSL Training Is Stuck in the Past

Picture this: A new MSL sits at their desk, surrounded by stacks of scientific articles and slide decks, diligently highlighting and taking notes. This has been the standard training approach for decades—memorize the data, understan...

By Sarah Snyder and Patrina Pellett

“I knew the science, but I still failed.”

A new Medical Science Liaison (MSL) spent 8 weeks preparing for her MSL field certification. She knew the two Phase 3 trials inside and out. But when she got in front of the panel, medical directors, senior MSLs, and ...

By Sarah Snyder
 

Let's get real about this whole work-life balance thing as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL).
It's a myth. And honestly? It's making you feel worse, not better.

Truth is, you'll never achieve perfect balance.

That conference week where your kid gets sick, your workout routine gets d...

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 MS...

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That question stopped me in my tracks – not because it was surprising, but because it reflects an outdated mindset that has no place in today's pharmaceutical industry.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 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 Sarah Snyder, PharmD

If your training program doesn't immediately connect to an MSL's daily reality, it's already failed. 

After 20 years as an MSL and daily conversations with field teams, I see this disconnect growing wider. While we're living in 2025's fast-paced medical landscape, our Me...

By Patrina Pellett, PhD (Follow me on LinkedIn)

“Hi Patrina, Happy Holidays! I just wanted to let you know that one of the best moments for me this year was when I printed all your blogs, made a binder, and read through them multiple times—they’ve been so inspiring and insightful.”
— Aspiring MSL

By Sarah Snyder, PharmD

A Medical Science Liaison candidate recently confided, “I miss the old days of interviewing in person. I’m just better that way. I can connect more easily.”

I understood. In-person interviews had a certain simplicity and immediacy. Sitting face-to-face, shaking hands, an...