As an early stage research in life sciences with a Master's and planning to pursue a PhD, how should I prepare myself throughout the incoming years for a technical sales based position. In simple words: what to learn and how to learn this together with the PhD years.
Thanks for the question, Rashik! It's also quite a deep one that I'm aiming to answer through all the content here and on LinkedIn.
Here's a few actionable tips that come to mind immediately:
1) You don't need the PhD to go into sales. You could probably start right after your Masters if you can find a role that fits your technical background.
2) Get involved in learning, using and teaching others to use popular instruments/tools/techniques in your specific life science field. Some quick ideas would be flow cytometry, fluorescence microscope (confocal, etc), spatial transcriptomics, DNA sequencing, etc. Even better if you get involved in a local core facility hosting these instruments as they're often run as a "Small business", giving you an idea of revenue generation while still inside academia.
3) Try to meet every technical sales rep, application scientist or field service engineer visiting your lab or local core facilities and get to know them. Ask them about their role, company and how they got in. You'll make some great connections and potentially some lasting friends too!
4) Keep reading here, as I'll be creating more content covering the sales skills that scientists need to maximize their chances of a smooth transition.
As an early stage research in life sciences with a Master's and planning to pursue a PhD, how should I prepare myself throughout the incoming years for a technical sales based position. In simple words: what to learn and how to learn this together with the PhD years.
Thanks for the question, Rashik! It's also quite a deep one that I'm aiming to answer through all the content here and on LinkedIn.
Here's a few actionable tips that come to mind immediately:
1) You don't need the PhD to go into sales. You could probably start right after your Masters if you can find a role that fits your technical background.
2) Get involved in learning, using and teaching others to use popular instruments/tools/techniques in your specific life science field. Some quick ideas would be flow cytometry, fluorescence microscope (confocal, etc), spatial transcriptomics, DNA sequencing, etc. Even better if you get involved in a local core facility hosting these instruments as they're often run as a "Small business", giving you an idea of revenue generation while still inside academia.
3) Try to meet every technical sales rep, application scientist or field service engineer visiting your lab or local core facilities and get to know them. Ask them about their role, company and how they got in. You'll make some great connections and potentially some lasting friends too!
4) Keep reading here, as I'll be creating more content covering the sales skills that scientists need to maximize their chances of a smooth transition.