ASPIRING MSL INSIGHTS - Why is the MSL Role so Popular?

If you’re considering a career as a Medical Science Liaison, you have certainly stumbled on something special. But did you know it is the most highly coveted role in Pharma? That is why it is so hard to break in. There’s so much competition. But why is the role so coveted?

In this installment of Aspiring MSL Insights, we’ll go over the five biggest reasons why the MSL role is the most sought after role in all of pharma.

Reason #1 is that it is remote by design. More and more people today want to work remotely, so a role that is remote by design is highly appealing. This is especially true for clinicians who fight city traffic on a long commute only to spend long stressful hours in a hospital.

Reason #2 is an MSL doesn’t have to relocate when changing jobs. What I mean is that an MSL can live in Los Angeles, and work for a NYC company, then a Boston company, and then a Bay Area company without having to relocate. If someone has a headquarters role and does not want to relocate, they are relegated to roles in a commutable distance.

Reason #3 is that there is a high level of autonomy in your daily schedule. Instead of being stuck in set hours or working a pre-determined shift, an MSL’s hours are more fluid and less rigid than other types of roles inside and outside of Pharma. The trade-off, though, is that there is more travel associated with the role, but even travel can have its appeal.

Reason #4 is that the role is consultative and not a sales position. Most clinically and scientifically trained people aren’t oriented to be sales people. In an MSL position, those people can leverage their training and be a consultative expert without feeling the pressure of having to being a sales person, carrying a sales number.

Reason #5 is that you’re still involved in patient outcomes, but not directly. The emotional toil of working in a hospital setting day-in-and-day-out can only be done if someone truly cares about patients. A benefit of being an MSL is that you impact a great number of patients by educating the staff that is directly treating them. So you still get the satisfaction of helping without the emotional burden associated with treating.

These are just five of many other reasons that the MSL role is the most highly coveted role in Pharma. If this is the career for you, make sure to check out my other Aspiring MSL Insights and make sure to follow my private linkedin group called, “KBIC Jobs – Medical Affairs”. Thanks.