Clinical Trial Pharma Salaries and Possible Careers since Medicine Didn't Work Out

[FutureDO2016]

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I got dismissed last year in my 4th year of DO school for disciplinary reasons and unprofessionalism. It was my fault and I admitted it apologizing in a letter and I begged for a chance to finish but was denied. I was devastated and depressed all of 2016. I'm still recovering and still get sad at times.

To the person who commented in another thread above, I want you to know that you will survive and if you will succeed in life if you put in the work. We are not failures, but just made some bad decisions and may not be the best test-takers....Life happened, now you have to be strong and figure out a career plan after you recover somewhat.

I contacted some Caribbean schools but all of the top tier schools said they don't take dismissed students and I would have to start all over. I considered PA, dental and pharmacy and am still thinking about it. I'm also thinking about MPH, MHA or MBA-healthcare focused.

Just to give you an idea there is hope---I'm making around 70-80K right now working in pharma in clinical trials. I was very lucky to get the job and although I'm still sad and disappointed in myself...I'm telling you my story to illustrate that life is not over.

My questions for others on here....

I only have a B.S. in biology. Although, I have over 100+ completed credits from the first 2 years of medical school and several rotations passed, I'm not sure I can use those to transfer into any program in the US to get a degree? Are DO medical school credits accepted for years 1-4 anywhere in any program?

Right now, I just list B.S. in biology and "Coursework Completed" for medical school. Sometimes I don't even tell people I was in medical school because I don't want to go into the whole mess/story of what happened and I just mention my undergrad degree.

Is there any degree/clinical program I can apply to in the US that is 2-3 years and after that, the starting salary is 100-120K+?

1. Masters in Public Health? Starting salary?
2. Masters in Health Administration? Starting Salary?
3. MBA focused on healthcare? Starting salary?
4. PA (I think starting salary is 80-100K depending on specialty and location?)
5. Dental (4 years and starting salary is probably over 100K?)
6. Pharmacy- (3-4 years and starting salary is 120K in my area)
7. Clinical Trials/Medical Affairs/Pharma Industry (70-80K salary now-how to boost it?)

Is it worth going to the Caribbean (somehow transferring) to finish rotations and take USMLE steps and somehow match? I wouldn't mind entering 3rd year and starting rotations all over again, but I cannot go through years 1 and 2 of medical school again (which is why I'm hesitant on PA and dental too). My goal was family medicine and I had gone on 4-5 family medicine interviews. I really miss the medicine aspect.

In the end, I'm not satisfied professionally and I don't think I'll ever be truly happy, but I'm making the best of my situation. I work in a office job 40 hours a week and there's a lot of down time. It's weird sitting at a desk all day, but the pay is pretty good. It's my fault and I will always regret my mistakes, but it happened and I can't spend my life obsessing over it. I spent all of last year thinking about it and just resting mentally. Although medical school was stressful, I did enjoy learning, but I want to complete a program that will allow a stable career and good salary for my goals and dreams. I want to be smart and efficient and maybe even do a 2 year online program if it's beneficial but I've seen that sometimes all job posts want is experience.

If anyone has any advice or can share any input it would be appreciated. I don't know much about the pharma industry and clinical operations, but there is high turnover and job stability is kind of risky and it's kind of hard to grow salary-wise. If there was a definite program that is 2-3 years and you are very likely to get a stable job with 100K+ salary, I would do it...Caribbean is risky and I'm not sure if PA is worth it based on the current salary I have already. I think medical affairs would be interesting and I do have a strong clinical research background with several internships throughout college and medical school, but I'm a people person and I like interacting with people. That's why anything involving lab research was not an option and I'm currently in pharma and trying to see how I can advance....Sorry I know this is all scattered, but I feel like I had to share my thoughts and ask for any insight.

 

[msuspartans]

I got dismissed last year in my 4th year of DO school for disciplinary reasons and unprofessionalism. It was my fault and I admitted it apologizing in a letter and I begged for a chance to finish but was denied. I was devastated and depressed all of 2016. I'm still recovering and still get sad at times.

To the person who commented in another thread above, I want you to know that you will survive and if you will succeed in life if you put in the work. We are not failures, but just made some bad decisions and may not be the best test-takers....Life happened, now you have to be strong and figure out a career plan after you recover somewhat.

I contacted some Caribbean schools but all of the top tier schools said they don't take dismissed students and I would have to start all over. I considered PA, dental and pharmacy and am still thinking about it. I'm also thinking about MPH, MHA or MBA-healthcare focused.

Just to give you an idea there is hope---I'm making around 70-80K right now working in pharma in clinical trials. I was very lucky to get the job and although I'm still sad and disappointed in myself...I'm telling you my story to illustrate that life is not over.

My questions for others on here....

I only have a B.S. in biology. Although, I have over 100+ completed credits from the first 2 years of medical school and several rotations passed, I'm not sure I can use those to transfer into any program in the US to get a degree? Are DO medical school credits accepted for years 1-4 anywhere in any program?

Right now, I just list B.S. in biology and "Coursework Completed" for medical school. Sometimes I don't even tell people I was in medical school because I don't want to go into the whole mess/story of what happened and I just mention my undergrad degree.

Is there any degree/clinical program I can apply to in the US that is 2-3 years and after that, the starting salary is 100-120K+?

1. Masters in Public Health? Starting salary?
2. Masters in Health Administration? Starting Salary?
3. MBA focused on healthcare? Starting salary?
4. PA (I think starting salary is 80-100K depending on specialty and location?)
5. Dental (4 years and starting salary is probably over 100K?)
6. Pharmacy- (3-4 years and starting salary is 120K in my area)
7. Clinical Trials/Medical Affairs/Pharma Industry (70-80K salary now-how to boost it?)

Is it worth going to the Caribbean (somehow transferring) to finish rotations and take USMLE steps and somehow match? I wouldn't mind entering 3rd year and starting rotations all over again, but I cannot go through years 1 and 2 of medical school again (which is why I'm hesitant on PA and dental too). My goal was family medicine and I had gone on 4-5 family medicine interviews. I really miss the medicine aspect.

In the end, I'm not satisfied professionally and I don't think I'll ever be truly happy, but I'm making the best of my situation. I work in a office job 40 hours a week and there's a lot of down time. It's weird sitting at a desk all day, but the pay is pretty good. It's my fault and I will always regret my mistakes, but it happened and I can't spend my life obsessing over it. I spent all of last year thinking about it and just resting mentally. Although medical school was stressful, I did enjoy learning, but I want to complete a program that will allow a stable career and good salary for my goals and dreams. I want to be smart and efficient and maybe even do a 2 year online program if it's beneficial but I've seen that sometimes all job posts want is experience.

If anyone has any advice or can share any input it would be appreciated. I don't know much about the pharma industry and clinical operations, but there is high turnover and job stability is kind of risky and it's kind of hard to grow salary-wise. If there was a definite program that is 2-3 years and you are very likely to get a stable job with 100K+ salary, I would do it...Caribbean is risky and I'm not sure if PA is worth it based on the current salary I have already. I think medical affairs would be interesting and I do have a strong clinical research background with several internships throughout college and medical school, but I'm a people person and I like interacting with people. That's why anything involving lab research was not an option and I'm currently in pharma and trying to see how I can advance....Sorry I know this is all scattered, but I feel like I had to share my thoughts and ask for any insight.

I'm the person that started the other thread. To be honest I have been applying to other jobs, but with only a BS in biology and an MS in medical science, there aren't too many jobs offered in my area. If there is a job making 70-80k without additional loans, I'd accept it in a heart beat. I might not enjoy it for awhile since we have put so much time and effort into medicine (dismissed after 3.5 year) But I think over time you'd be pleased and thankful for everything. I have contacted a few Caribbean schools as well. A few of the "top 5" would let you start on their 3rd year but the first thing they asked was if I was dismissed due to professional reasons or not. And afterwards I'd have to apply and get an interview. I'm in that phase right now. Like I said I love medicine but I have to realize there are other ways I could help the health care community, as a PharmD, NP, PA and others. I wish you nothing but the best. Good luck and people here will tell you to give up in life and don't try. Laugh them off and keep your head up.

 

[Wjldenver]

I'm sorry to hear that you are in this mess but life and your career goes on. I work in health care consulting, and my peers usually have this combination of degrees: MBA/MD; MBA/MPH; MBA with a health care concentration. If you are seriously considering this track you need to focus upon getting into the top 10 programs. (Worst case, top 20.) Use the US News rankings as a guide, then drill down on an individual school's web site to see what they offer in the health care space.

If you graduate from one of these programs, and make the cut to get into consulting, here are the current salary ranges found in the top tier consulting firms:
Entry Level ($150K-$210K); 2-3 years ($250-$350K); 4-5 years ($350-$500K); Principal ($500K-$1M). Remember, these are salaries for the top graduates and the top firms. Also, note that 70+ hour work weeks and incessant travel are common. I even work on the holidays. PM me if you have any follow up questions, and I can send you a link which describes the specific firms which are currently paying these aforementioned salaries.

...Just included this link which describes current consulting firm salaries and names of the top firms:

http://poetsandquants.com/2016/01/23/the-highest-paying-consulting-firms-for-mbas/

 

[FutureDO2016]

I'm sorry to hear that you are in this mess but life and your career goes on. I work in health care consulting, and my peers usually have this combination of degrees: MBA/MD; MBA/MPH; MBA with a health care concentration. If you are seriously considering this track you need to focus upon getting into the top 10 programs. (Worst case, top 20.) Use the US News rankings as a guide, then drill down on an individual school's web site to see what they offer in the health care space.

If you graduate from one of these programs, and make the cut to get into consulting, here are the current salary ranges found in the top tier consulting firms:
Entry Level ($150K-$210K); 2-3 years ($250-$350K); 4-5 years ($350-$500K); Principal ($500K-$1M). Remember, these are salaries for the top graduates and the top firms. Also, note that 70+ hour work weeks and incessant travel are common. I even work on the holidays. PM me if you have any follow up questions, and I can send you a link which describes the specific firms which are currently paying these aforementioned salaries.

...Just included this link which describes current consulting firm salaries and names of the top firms:

http://poetsandquants.com/2016/01/23/the-highest-paying-consulting-firms-for-mbas/

Thanks for all that info on MBA and consulting careers. I'm looking into it though I'm not sure I want that lifestyle and I know it's super competitive to get those jobs as well. Are those jobs usually like 10-12 hour days and 25-50% travel? They pay well of course if you go to a top program and get a job at a big top 5 firm though not sure if they pay you over 100K right out of school with a MBA with no experience in medical consulting.

My experiences are mostly clinical research, teaching, tutoring and pharma clinical trials recently.

Does anyone have any insight on the pharma industry-clinical operations-clinical trial management at a CRO or sponsor-medical affairs? What is starting salary and then salary after 3-5 years of experience?

It's hard to set new goals and learn about a completely new industry and formulate a new career plan, but I'm trying my best to adapt to my life now. I spent like the last 8 years after high school on this medicine path so it takes time to adjust. I posted on here to learn more and gain insight from individuals who may be in another field now and I'm networking at my job and reading and learning as much as I can.

Nothing comes easy and there will be setbacks but with hard work and a positive mindset, you can be successful. I'm guessing medicine wasn't meant to be.

 

[FutureDO2016]

Also can someone comment on whether a Masters in Health Admin. Or Masters in Public Health will help boost income about 10-20K or it doesn't matter if you have those degrees in pharma industry at top CRO or pharma companies?

 

[BurghStudent]

I've not looked into it myself, but people have recommended this website in situations like yours:

https://www.dropoutclub.org/

 

[FutureDO2016]

Does anyone think I could get accepted into PA or PharmD program?

If you get dismissed from a program for leaving early...are you banished from any other program like PA or PharmD or Podiatry?

I made a mistake, I learned from it, and want to move forward in life if someone/some place is willing to give me a chance.

 

[knight on horse]

Don't go pharmacy. Menial work, very low career ceiling unless unicorn, not to mention there are no jobs right now

If you can hack it, Ortho makes big bucks. Dontics, not just pedics

Pa only makes 80k I think. So you got it made already. Depends on if you really want face to face with patients

 

[FutureDO2016]

I want to increase my salary potential in clinical trials...I'm working in clinical operations and clinical trial visit management from start-up to close out and working with vendors, contracts, sponsors and CROs. As I mentioned, I'm making 70-80K, but I would like to get a graduate degree (I have a B.S. in biology with minors in chemistry and public health as well as 3.5 years of medical school) that would help raise my salary to 120-150K or higher in the next 5 years.

I'm considering MHA, MPH, MBA, Masters in Clinical Research, or possibly PA or PharmD if I want to work with patients.

 

[W19]

Does anyone think I could get accepted into PA or PharmD program?

If you get dismissed from a program for leaving early...are you banished from any other program like PA or PharmD or Podiatry?

I made a mistake, I learned from it, and want to move forward in life if someone/some place is willing to give me a chance.

I think you can get into a PharmD program easily depending of the reason for your dismissal... Not sure about PA. If I were in your spot, PhamD would be on top of my list, then PA/NP...

 

[realkarakent]

Just an FYI some PA schools (including the one I went to) won't accept anyone who has been dismissed from medical school, nursing school, or another PA school for any reason. And PA salaries do fluctuate based on what specialty and location. Average where I am is on the upper end into the six digits starting.


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[FutureDO2016]

I will have to call admissions departments of programs anonymously and see what they say---I am aware several places will not accept me because of my disciplinary dismissal. I was dismissed for leaving on-call assignment early without getting permission from the attending and resident. I also contacted rotation sites about setting up rotations and both led to my dismissal. It was my bad decisions and I accept all blame for my actions....I just wanted to move forward in life and possibly in healthcare...if some other school is willing to give me a chance---I'm not sure if schools have strict policies in that or are willing to give someone another chance.

 

[W19]

@FutureDO2016 I think you should be ok for PharmD...

 

[realkarakent]

I will have to call admissions departments of programs anonymously and see what they say---I am aware several places will not accept me because of my disciplinary dismissal. I was dismissed for leaving on-call assignment early without getting permission from the attending and resident. I also contacted rotation sites about setting up rotations and both led to my dismissal. It was my bad decisions and I accept all blame for my actions....I just wanted to move forward in life and possibly in healthcare...if some other school is willing to give me a chance---I'm not sure if schools have strict policies in that or are willing to give someone another chance.

I do hope that someone gives you a chance. Good luck!


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[Yadster101]

Also can someone comment on whether a Masters in Health Admin. Or Masters in Public Health will help boost income about 10-20K or it doesn't matter if you have those degrees in pharma industry at top CRO or pharma companies?

If I were you I'd get a linked account and add everyone that you know (at least 100+ connections). Make a legit profile with your education, your experiences, and a professional picture. You can then start looking up people with MHA/MPH/etc. and asking them about their careers. I've found that ~20% of these people tend to respond back. That's not bad at all considering you can easily find like ~100 people that share something with you (near by academic institution, same previous company, etc.) and then get a response from ~20 within a couple days.

Our of curiosity, how did you get the current job that you have making 70-80k a year? And what are you currently doing?

Hope everything works out!

 

[FutureDO2016]

I work in clinical trial management I got it after months of applying and this was last year....I do have a LinkedIn and will look into your idea and see what I can learn through networking!