Hey Mario!
First, a good general rule to start with for the RAC - don't even consider it until you have some real world regulatory experience. This is simply because there are many questions typically on the exam that require you to really have an understanding of how the process works and be able to critically evaluate the answer options in order to come to the best conclusion. That is why the RAC exam registration materials typically state that the test is meant for people with 3-5 years experience.
As for the Masters program - first off - congratulations on choosing to improve your knowledge and bettering yourself. That is a key first step and I have found it to be really helpful in getting your foot in the door at some companies. But also remember that the Masters is more of a "general" education and that every company works differently, has different priorities, and might even have some unexpected (you might even call them "weird") processes and reporting structures. So while you masters will help you understand the regulatory process in general a bit better, you will still want to go into any situation with an open mind and try to understand what the company process looks like. That is not to say you can't ask questions or look for ways to incrementally improve the processes. But if you go in with really no real world experience and try to explain how much you "know" it will likely come off as being disingenuous and that is definitely not what you are looking for.
As for how to break into the industry I have a couple of thoughts.
1. Try asking your current employer if they have a "mentoring" or "job shadowing" program in place. If they do this is a good way to understand what regulatory professionals actually deal with daily (at least for one company) and should give you a better understanding of whether or not such a career move is right for you. If they don't you might suggest it to your boss or to your HR personnel as a program that might provide additional "resources" to a specific project that might have some extra capacity as well as a way to potentially identify internal talent and provide for an additional tier of a progression planning process.
2. If your employer is not interested in #1 and you are sure you want to try a move to regulatory - look for an entry level position in a company. If you follow this path I always suggest (since you have no relevant experience in the area of regulatory per se) ensuring that your resume shows 2 things - (a) that you have skills that match the needs of the proposed position and (b) that you have a track record of using those skills to the benefit of the company.
3. There is always the option of using your mentors and professors in your Masters program to identify possible job opportunities with companies that they might deal with regularly (or even work at). Even if it is something as simple as a reference or a person you can place on the application as someone who knows your work and your ability to analyze complex issues, that is a huge step in the right direction.
4. And finally, if there is an option to do so, there is also always the option to enter into an intern or "temporary" type role. Obviously if you are the sole (or main) income earner then that is less of an option. But if there is a possibility to do this often companies will offer "internships" or bring in temporary employees to evaluate whether or not the person is a good fit for the position(s) that might be open.
No matter what you actually choose to do, or how you choose to prepare, there are also always the "soft" things you can do before sending out any resume or discussing the possibility of transferring departments at your own company. These are things like investigating the company before you send that resume. What products do they have? What might be in the pipeline? Are they food? Drug? Cosmetic? Device? Supplement? Combinations? All of the above? Also, being prepared to show that your experience has led you to a point in your career where you feel confident in taking the next step - so really analyze your own career for things you might have done that really fit well into the world of regulatory based on your masters studies - is a key component of any interview. Finally, look EVERYWHERE. You never know when a possible opportunity might come up. Check some of the companies in your area or for which there might be a reasonable commute for you. See about their "Careers" or "Working at" pages of their website. Job boards and even the college career planning office can be huge helps in finding something. Usually when someone posts a job - especially to a college career office - it means that they have someone on staff who graduated from the program or who respects the program. This can be a huge leg up on the competition!
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Victor Mencarelli
Sr. Manager - Regulatory Affairs
Hain Celestial Group
United States
Original Message:
Sent: 26-May-2016 19:11
From: Mario Trujillo
Subject: Advice on starting a career in regulatory
Hello All. I have been working for a few years in dietary supplement manufacturing quality, mostly in an admin capacity. I am currently working on Master's in regulatory Sciences and am halfway through completion. What is the best startegy to find a regulatory position and break into the profession? Where should I be looking? What should I do to prepare? Should I take teh RAC exam and which one should i take (US or International)? Any advice from you veterans would be very appreciated.
Thanks
Mario
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Mario T.
Los Angeles CA
United States
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