Sales Rep to MD - Has Anyone Tried?

[Anonymous]

Yes, this what the future holds. But also hearing a trend to going back to the "retro rep" days of hiring middle aged professionals who are more service and educational oriented. But this force of the future will more than likely be contact.

ts too late for that, because most companies' pipelines are trickling, and MDs don't give us the respect or time that they gave our forebears. Reps that were around in the early 90s told me how they used to get 10-15 minutes, and that they had incredible freedom to wander the hospitals as they saw fit. Today, those now-middle aged professionals will cost too much in salary and health benefits. I see sticking with the 20-something good looking chatterbox that will make about 30-55k tops. That's what I would do....

 

[Anonymous]

But in another few years, the great majority of rep jobs will probably be held by contract field force at a 30-40% reduction in salary from we currently have. I hate to say it, but it makes sense to me. Most of us only get a few minutes with our docs anyway, good relationships or not.
MDs catch a break with mortgages, loans, and there is ALWAYS a need for more.

OP should've asked this question: how many of your colleagues had a 3.5 or above GPA, and got A's in classes like physics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and neuroanatomy? My wife is a resident, and that's what she pulled, and she didn't get in to her 1st 2 choices for med school.

Good point. Most drug reps are marketing, communication or education majors. All soft fields. If you have a degree in chemistry, physics or are already a healhcare provider of some sort (i.e. pharmacist, nurse) maybe you can take a shot at med school. Otherwise forget about it and get a job at Enterprise rental cars or retailing.

 

[Anonymous]

Good point. Most drug reps are marketing, communication or education majors. All soft fields. If you have a degree in chemistry, physics or are already a healhcare provider of some sort (i.e. pharmacist, nurse) maybe you can take a shot at med school. Otherwise forget about it and get a job at Enterprise rental cars or retailing.

Yes. Us "Fresh air" (always hanging out, outside) majors go to all the par tie and hang out at the Rathskellar at night. Meanwhile, the pre meds and pre vet. students grind away at the hard sciences. In another few years there will be a serious MD shortage, so i have a feeling that DO and MD schools will lower their academic requirements. But they'd have to drop them in the toilet to let in people from my old region.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes...and its pretty difficult to get into MD school. A bit easier to get into DO school. However, it's still pretty damn hard. If you are considering it, why not try it? Especially if your life circumstance allows you the flexibility to try i.e. understanding spouse, or no spouse and you made the grades. The poster that had the higher salaries was right on the mark. I imagine the ppl who think that docs make 80k starting are either managers trying to discourage their ppl from trying or are just plain ignorant to what the facts are. I'll warn you though, going back to med school is anything but easy and about 10-20% of students burn-out in the first 2 years of school (100k down the drain) so it's not for the folks looking for an easy path. PA, NP, RN, PharmD are all great careers too.. PharmD's is a long ride tho too and not easy to get into. Shoot, it's not easy to get into PA or NP school. However, if that's what you want to do - go for it. I agree with the one poster... it's not all about the money.. it wouldn't be worth it.