Late 30s rep here needs advice on career change.

[Anonymous]

late 30s and in industry long time and being managed out by my DM. she is very nitpicky constantly coaching on ride alongs nothing is good, and doing the same to all older reps in district. I have decided to get a teaching degree. the money is not as good, but I like 3 months of summer off and holidays off and with the pharma backgroud teaching science. I am tired of this fake pharma job, being nice and feeding the fat offices cows, nt being able to see hardly any drs anymore, and then having them be rude half the time. I am also tired of the greedy pharma industry, how many billions do these companies need to rake in while they stick us with roommates at POAs? How about the CEOs raking in $20-30mil and then layoff their sales forces? No job security. I am out of here! I hope Obama does socialize medicine so the greedy pharma companies get theirs.

your are gay or bi, for sure. not a big deal, but you are.

 

[Anonymous]

your are gay or bi, for sure. not a big deal, but you are.

thanks for the feedback, know it all! BTW-am married with kids.

 

[Anonymous]

late 30s and in industry long time and being managed out by my DM. she is very nitpicky constantly coaching on ride alongs nothing is good, and doing the same to all older reps in district. I have decided to get a teaching degree. the money is not as good, but I like 3 months of summer off and holidays off and with the pharma backgroud teaching science. I am tired of this fake pharma job, being nice and feeding the fat offices cows, nt being able to see hardly any drs anymore, and then having them be rude half the time. I am also tired of the greedy pharma industry, how many billions do these companies need to rake in while they stick us with roommates at POAs? How about the CEOs raking in $20-30mil and then layoff their sales forces? No job security. I am out of here! I hope Obama does socialize medicine so the greedy pharma companies get theirs.

This guy ain't gay more like real! The way his post should read is. I'm in my late 30's and I am doing everything in my power not to knock off my little prissy DM's head. When she rides with me every 3 weeks everything out of her mouth is bitching and moaning much worse than the typical wife/whore. The next move for me is teaching or a career that might pay less and make me work longer hours, but atleast I have my self respect back and not wake up every morning wanting to kill myself. So you can take your fake pharma BS and the high priced CEO's that charge for overpriced meds to senior citizens and go to hell. Better yet Obama the new fearless leader just might lead pharma into reconstruction which we all know means cut backs and many unemployed reps!

 

[Anonymous]

10 years in pharma, and I used to be able to handle the ups and downs of this job (dumb managers, arrogant doctors, etc), and was awarded top sales awards twice during that time...but lately, I am just losing my sense of self-worth because of all the arrogant youngsters that are moving into management.

For the first time, I am seriously considering a change from this industry that just seems to take so much extra motivation to get out of bed.

For those of you that have felt this way, where have you gone?

I am considering of going back to school when the real estate market gets back into good graces (which I understand could take 3 to 7 years). I do have a house to sell if I go back to school.

However, I have no kids, no wife, and little debt, so, the situation is not that bad.

Just venting here and looking for some of you industry veterans to chime in.

Thanks

I am familiar with Pharma Reps who have left the industry to dive into a career in H.H. or Hospice. There is a LOT of pressure in this industry and I have seen many of pharma reps return to the pharma industry because of how demanding and cut throat H.H. (in particular) is. If you are willing to work a solid 10-12 hour day I would highly suggest a career with a National H.H. or Hospice because of incentives and competitive salary. Good luck!

 

[Anonymous]

RN BSN here. Pharma rep for the last 5 years. To all the pharma reps in nsg school or thinking that they should do it need to think long and hard. My easiest day of nursing was harder than any pharma day. When I first came to pharma and heard coworkers complain about the workload, I would laugh!! Just a little advice- follow a RN in a hospital setting(not an office, bc thats a joke job) then make your decision.

 

[Anonymous]

RN BSN here. Pharma rep for the last 5 years. To all the pharma reps in nsg school or thinking that they should do it need to think long and hard. My easiest day of nursing was harder than any pharma day. When I first came to pharma and heard coworkers complain about the workload, I would laugh!! Just a little advice- follow a RN in a hospital setting(not an office, bc thats a joke job) then make your decision.

I am a nurse in pharma for many years now. No question the work is much harder as a nurse. But at least it had some value. This is a mindless job full of the most greedy ruthless people ever. I am getting out now. Yes I enjoyed the money and freedom for I time, but I truely hate what I have become. For those of you going into nursing I wish you the best you will work hard but if money is not your driver you will be rewarded.

 

[Anonymous]

One of most prolific thoughts on cp in a long time.

I'm upper 50's, female, being "driven" out of my job. All I ever wanted to do was sell. Now I have a manager who just can't figure out that some of us like selling and don't want to do the manager dance.

I have a territory from hell, stress out my ass, and have been told that unless I keep my numbers above 50%, I will be put on a performance improvement plan. I basically told her to bring it on...let's see what a jury thinks of age discrimination. NO ONE else in the company (or my district for that matter) are being told this.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Same here. I hate my job, hate my manager and hate my company. They lie to the physicians and have for years and then let the sales force know about it after two years of telling physicians incorrect info. What a fucking joke of a career.

 

[Anonymous]

10 years in pharma, and I used to be able to handle the ups and downs of this job (dumb managers, arrogant doctors, etc), and was awarded top sales awards twice during that time...but lately, I am just losing my sense of self-worth because of all the arrogant youngsters that are moving into management.

For the first time, I am seriously considering a change from this industry that just seems to take so much extra motivation to get out of bed.

For those of you that have felt this way, where have you gone?

I am considering of going back to school when the real estate market gets back into good graces (which I understand could take 3 to 7 years). I do have a house to sell if I go back to school.

However, I have no kids, no wife, and little debt, so, the situation is not that bad.

Just venting here and looking for some of you industry veterans to chime in.

Thanks[/QUOTE

So true about the arrogant dumb younger reps being promoted into mgt. it's hard for an industry veteran to listen to my DM that qualifies as one of these. I can't take (him/her) seriously. They think they know more than you, and when you know they are wrong about something, they have they canno accept it. It has made me want to leave the industry also. Along with the fact that these DMs are liars as are the co's.
I think alot of reps are trying to leave the industry--I think it would be insane to stay----some are going into real estate-- even though the market is bad, there are still people buying and selling houses.
some reps are going back to school-- MBA, Law, Teaching Cert.
some medical device.
I think everyone is re-evaluating what it is they want to do-- the answer will come to you and I don't think it one that others can provide.
Good luck!
Me --I am hanging on until I find something else that I am interested in-- then I will pursue it-- the areas that I have looked at -- I will not make as much $ as pharma-- most will be about 1/2 to 3/4. I also do not want to go back to school.

 

[Anonymous]

I find myself daydreaming about calling my manager and turning in my keys with a surreal smile on my face.

I enter cosmetology school in March
I wrote a book. It took 10 years. I've been doing my time for 10 years. hmph
I have awards/presidential and the like
They mean nothing
I'm sick of product launches
dead dr target lists
being accountable for mess(like dead dr target lists)."why didnt dr jones write 10 scripts. ummm he's dead. that's NO excuse."
I'm tired of acquisitions/mergers/voicemail/email/download all on my time which better be after 5:30 and not a second earlier.
i'm tired of being accountable for sales with locked target lists that are full of dead drs, and no room for growth, because their dead drs.lol

I'm tired and I am working up the courage to walk. Wish me luck.

 

[Anonymous]

I find myself daydreaming about calling my manager and turning in my keys with a surreal smile on my face.

I enter cosmetology school in March
I wrote a book. It took 10 years. I've been doing my time for 10 years. hmph
I have awards/presidential and the like
They mean nothing
I'm sick of product launches
dead dr target lists
being accountable for mess(like dead dr target lists)."why didnt dr jones write 10 scripts. ummm he's dead. that's NO excuse."
I'm tired of acquisitions/mergers/voicemail/email/download all on my time which better be after 5:30 and not a second earlier.
i'm tired of being accountable for sales with locked target lists that are full of dead drs, and no room for growth, because their dead drs.lol

I'm tired and I am working up the courage to walk. Wish me luck.

"Why didn't Dr. Jones write 10 rx. umm he's dead. that's no excuse"....

quite possibly the funniest "thing" that I have ever heard or seen, and I really can't laugh that hard right now about it,

but this is good stuff my friend.

lol.

 

[Anonymous]

"Why didn't Dr. Jones write 10 rx. umm he's dead. that's no excuse"....

quite possibly the funniest "thing" that I have ever heard or seen, and I really can't laugh that hard right now about it,

but this is good stuff my friend.

lol.

On your next field day with your manager I am sure he will want you to role play in the car on how you are going to get 10 rx from DR Jones. Take him where he is buried and role play there........................................

 

[Anonymous]

On your next field day with your manager I am sure he will want you to role play in the car on how you are going to get 10 rx from DR Jones. Take him where he is buried and role play there........................................

3XLOL.

These managers are so useless to professional reps.

Prob. is, there are not many professionals reps out there, so these r*****s keep their jobs.

 

[Anonymous]

I find myself daydreaming about calling my manager and turning in my keys with a surreal smile on my face.

I enter cosmetology school in March
I wrote a book. It took 10 years. I've been doing my time for 10 years. hmph
I have awards/presidential and the like
They mean nothing
I'm sick of product launches
dead dr target lists
being accountable for mess(like dead dr target lists)."why didnt dr jones write 10 scripts. ummm he's dead. that's NO excuse."
I'm tired of acquisitions/mergers/voicemail/email/download all on my time which better be after 5:30 and not a second earlier.
i'm tired of being accountable for sales with locked target lists that are full of dead drs, and no room for growth, because their dead drs.lol


I'm tired and I am working up the courage to walk. Wish me luck.

Go! There is more job satisfaction being a waitress then being a pharma rep. Get that cosmetology degree and have fun! Remember you can get unemployment if you quit. call your state unemployment agency and they will tell you there are like 10 stipulations that allows you to get unemployment if you discharge yourself as they would say. Good luck life is to short to waste it in pharma!

 

[Anonymous]

Go! There is more job satisfaction being a waitress then being a pharma rep. Get that cosmetology degree and have fun! Remember you can get unemployment if you quit. call your state unemployment agency and they will tell you there are like 10 stipulations that allows you to get unemployment if you discharge yourself as they would say. Good luck life is to short to waste it in pharma!

Hi
I am from Calcutta,India and I am in the same situation as you are all. I am in my late thirties and still unmarried ! I am really frustrated with my life ,seems like committing suicide! Many call me as a failure and I am treated like a beggar now!

p.s.: I didn't wanted to post as an anonymous but strangely I cant see a register option in this forum!! There is no way I can either register ,hence no way i can login!

Plz tell me how do i register?

 

[Interested One]

Why do you guys complain so much? This career is awesome!

 

[Anonymous]

“Oh, you hate your job? Why didn’t you say so? There’s a support group for that. It’s called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar.”

What ever happened to a job being a means to an end??? Why TF does it have to define who and what you are and even more absurdly your happiness! My Dad was a white collar manager type, he went to work, came home and spent time with his family and friends, coached little league, played softball and basketball with his friends, and never talked about work - and he is a very happy and fun person. It wasn't a glamorous job as he was a buyer for an industrial manufacturing company - nothing glamorous or fulfilling about that! For whatever reason no one seems happy with a 'normal' job. Sorry folks but how you see jobs on TV and movies are never close to reality. They are jobs, they all have good things and bad things, you'll work with and for jerks and great people over time. There will be times of excitement and fulfillment of sorts and there will be times of boredom and loathing of the job. Pharma or any industry is not immune to it and no Pharma does not have a larger share of those downsides, I can assure you that if you are searching for fulfillment from work you are going to have a hard time. Sure you may hate this industries for many of its faults, but make no mistake very few industries are without them. Talk to some of your nurses and doctors and see how 'fulfilled' they are...very few. Most surveys of healthcare providers report an overall lack of happiness and fulfillment in their jobs.

Not sure when the generational shift happened but for whatever reason one's job has become all encompassing of who they are and their happiness. Is this job perfect? Of course not, but it has provided me with a great life that I am thankful for.