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New Graduate

  • 1.  New Graduate

    Posted 25-May-2021 08:47
    Hello I am a new graduate, I just graduated with a Masters Degree in Regulatory Science from the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy.
    I am looking for a opportunity in the regulatory field. Can anyone assist me on where to apply?

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    Shankia Mardenborough
    University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
    Havre De Grace MD
    United States
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  • 2.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 25-May-2021 21:10
    Hi Shankia!

    First off, welcome to the group and congratulations on finishing your degree.  

    My best advice is to ensure that you at least try to do the following:

    1. Get your resume out there on as many job boards as you possibly can.  These are typically free to upload your resume to and it will be out there if any company HR people or recruiters are actively searching.
    2. Update (or create) a LinkedIn profile and update your profile here on RAPS.  While RAPS is not a recruiting site, obviously this is where industry people are who might have or have knowledge of positions pending within their organizations.
    3. Be open to lesser known regulatory options!  For example, did you know that there is a bustling market in the cosmetics sector?  Or that food professionals are often in demand currently?  I have worked for companies in both of these industries and I can tell you it was often difficult to find people because everyone thinks that the only options are pharma or devices.
    4. Be open to as many locations as possible.  I know that it is not always possible to be involved or open to spots very distant to where you are currently living but the more areas you are willing to look at the more likely you are to find something that you are really passionate about doing.
    5. If you are currently working in an ancillary position in a company (like quality or R&D) then discussions with your internal management might be a way to get some experience, prove your abilities and work your way into an opportunity (or if nothing else it provides the experience to discuss if you choose to move on from the current company).

    ------------------------------
    Victor Mencarelli
    Global Director Regulatory Affairs
    MelvilleNY
    United States
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  • 3.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 06:38
    Thank you! I definitely tried #5 but my company has done nothing to advance me. I tried to even work for free in the regulatory area but nothing. So i am looking else where. Thank you for taking the time to respond to me and giving me great pointers.​

    ------------------------------
    Shankia Mardenborough
    University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
    Havre De Grace MD
    United States
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  • 4.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 08:03
    Hi Victor, 
    Thank you for those pointers. I am working towards getting certified in Regulatory Affairs and changing career paths. This will help to get the word out there. 

    Regards,
    Rachel

    ------------------------------
    Rachel Mariadas
    Student
    American Society for Quality
    Gatineau QC
    Canada
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  • 5.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 08:26
    Hi Shankia, and welcome! Victor gave great advice. Personally, I applied not only for ever job I could possibly find, including those I didn't yet qualify for, but I also cold emailed the HR departments for every pharmaceutical company in my area. Shockingly, 1 of the cold emails replied, interviewed me for a position they had not yet listed, and hired me for QA. That eventually led to RA. So cast the net very wide and you might be surprised!

    ------------------------------
    Renata Lavach-Savy
    Associate Principal Regulatory Writer
    Synchrogenix
    Parsippany NJ
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 09:30
    Hi Renata, 
    That sure was an interesting way and find for you. All the best with the job. 
    I have sometimes felt maybe the resume is not the best fit. For a new graduate, it can be difficult to align it to possible experiences.

    ------------------------------
    Rachel Mariadas
    Student
    American Society for Quality
    Gatineau QC
    Canada
    ------------------------------



  • 7.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 27-May-2021 15:02
    I did something very similar many years ago (though I targets VPs of RA/QA/ Clinical rather than HR). Also, don't be afraid to apply for an "internship" even though you graduated - you would be surprised at how often those can turn into real jobs.

    Ginger

    ------------------------------
    Ginger Glaser RAC
    Chief Technology Officer
    MN
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  • 8.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 09:49
    Hi Shankia,

    Regulatory consulting is field to consider and always looking for fresh talent. Are you willing to relocate?

    ------------------------------
    Kaela Gerald
    Pharmaceutical Consultant
    Innovative Science Solutions
    Morristown NJ
    United States
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  • 9.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 09:59
    Yes I am, I applied for several Regulatory Consulting Positions at Booz allen and Hamilton and I was not even given an interview.

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    Shankia Mardenborough
    University of Maryland School of Pharmacy
    Havre De Grace MD
    United States
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  • 10.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 26-May-2021 10:22
    You should consider looking at more boutique consulting firms. Smaller, specialized in health sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals or medical devices. Or cosmetics or food, as suggested above.

    ------------------------------
    Kaela Gerald
    Pharmaceutical Consultant
    Innovative Science Solutions
    Morristown NJ
    United States
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: New Graduate

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 26-May-2021 17:10
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Perhaps it is different when you are earlier in your career, but I'm not as enthusiastic about applying for every job or contacting HR. I'd focus more on networking. Find people who can give you advise. Get involved in RAPS chapters and see if people will have informational interviews with you to give you ADVICE (not a job). Attend free conferences and webinars and find people you can connect with.

    Here's a great article on mistakes in networking from the great website Be My Career Coach: https://bemycareercoach.com/soft-skills/dont-make-this-fatal-mistake-in-your-job-search-efforts.html

    and https://bemycareercoach.com/job-searching-tips/networking-tips/networking-email-examples.html

    Another great article: https://clearbit.com/books/marketing-leadership/emily-carrion?utm_source=Things+I+Think+I+Think&utm_campaign=489a9deea9-Things_Special_15_May_2020_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d988285602-489a9deea9-8995069

    Career attraction used to have a lot of good stuff, but it appears it is mostly taken down: https://careerattraction.com/, but looks like the book of one of the founders is still available (had scripts and all): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1519600631/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

    There are other resources too (post if you are interested).

    As well, see this post on articles about the regulatory professional, which may or may not apply since you have a Masters degree: 
    https://connect.raps.org/rapscareercenter/ourdiscussiongroup/viewthread?MessageKey=9b8f9977-2bfc-43d0-a907-a9390f6fab22&CommunityKey=ce93f634-9478-46ad-9ac8-d374f4c6e365&tab=digestviewer#bm9b8f9977-2bfc-43d0-a907-a9390f6fab22

    And this career resource list that a recruiter, Lindsey Summers, on this board put together:
    https://connect.raps.org/rapscareercenter/ourdiscussiongroup/viewthread?MessageKey=9f2ad85b-2fe5-4244-9a82-6095022fd9c5&CommunityKey=ce93f634-9478-46ad-9ac8-d374f4c6e365&tab=digestviewer#bm9f2ad85b-2fe5-4244-9a82-6095022fd9c5


  • 12.  RE: New Graduate

    Posted 28-May-2021 17:50
    My company is always hiring (Certara or Synchrogenix). I'm not sure if your experience matches what they're looking for, but you never know.

    ------------------------------
    Renata Lavach-Savy
    Associate Principal Regulatory Writer
    Synchrogenix
    Parsippany NJ
    United States
    ------------------------------