Welcome to the MSL Mastery Blog
Job Search, Career Development, and Professional & Personal Fulfillment Resources for Medical Affairs
Join Our NewsletterBy Nicholas George, Patrina Pellett, & Sarah Snyder
You’ve heard the whispers: “MSLs make bank.”
But how much? And more importantly, who’s actually paying top dollar? Thanks to salary transparency laws and fresh analysis from PharmaPayWatch, we finally have the data. Nicholas George, PhD, revi...
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 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...
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 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That question stopped me in my tracks – not because it was surprising, but because it reflects an outdated mindset that has no place in today's pharmaceutical industry.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 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:
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)
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, MSL Mastery may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
2025 is YOUR year. It’s the year to elevate your impact, refine your craft, and priorit...
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...
We Spill the Medical Affairs Tea Every Friday
Real talk, career tips, and insider gems we usually save for training clients.
It’s like brunch with your smartest friend, but in your inbox.
📬 Fridays at 9am CT.
👉 Join the party below!