For many Doctors, the pathway to medicine begins with a passion for healing, serving their communities, and working long hours in clinical practice. As time passes though, many healthcare professionals find themselves asking: What is beyond the walls of a hospital? 

The reality is that the healthcare industry is far more extensive than clinical care. Opportunities in pharmacovigilance, clinical research, medical writing, regulatory affairs, and medical reviewing all allow doctors and healthcare professionals to utilise their knowledge to work locally and globally, contributing to the development of the future of medicines, ensuring patient safety, and informing healthcare decisions worldwide. At CareerInPharma, we have seen hundreds of physicians take this path, and one recent story stands out as a great reminder that with clarity, hard work, and an effective strategy, you could be making a career change.

This is the real story of a doctor who left a long-standing clinical practice in Malaysia to take up a position as a Medical Reviewer Manager for a respected global corporation. This story is not just about career success: it is about resilience, life-long learning, and proving that it is never too late to pivot in your career.

The Beginning: A Dedicated Clinical Career

This doctor started their medical journey in 2006, obtaining an MBBS degree through the India–Malaysia twinning program at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. Like many doctors do, they immediately joined clinical practice and worked for the Ministry of Health, Malaysia, in numerous clinical roles. The following years of their life consisted of long hours and commitment in various clinical departments. Talking, seeing, diagnosing, and treating patients, and the daily grind and fatigue that goes with the life of a clinician. 

By 2021, the doctor took a career break after years of service, as well as the impact of living through a global pandemic and family responsibility. A well-deserved rest to reflect on the last 15 years and what the next chapter of their lives will be.

A Turning Point: Rethinking the Future

During this break, a long-standing question emerged: Is there a career outside of hospitals and clinics? 

Like many doctors, this physician wondered about non-clinical career paths, specifically, jobs that utilize his medical expertise and knowledge, but not long shifts, emergencies, and emotional investment caring for patients. 

This time, with no particular pressure from work, family support, and a sense of clarity, they decided to take action. While researching all the different ways to switch careers, the doctor found CareerInPharma (CIP) on LinkedIn. The mission of CIP- to assist and guide doctors and healthcare professionals through the transition from clinical work to global non-clinical roles was exactly what they were looking for. 

“I wanted to move into non-clinical roles from even before my MRCOG and FRCGP exams! CIP really opened the door to a lot more avenues beyond clinical research.” 

After receiving guidance based on transparency, honesty, and structured support, they signed up for training in Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Research in July 2023.

Building Skills for a New Career- The Role of Mentorship

Over the next few months, the doctor trained and by November 2023 they were done with the program and had learned: 

  • Practical knowledge of pharmacovigilance processes and clinical research operations 
  • Insight into global pharma roles and how doctors can work in those areas 
  • Support for building resumes and preparing for interviews as a healthcare professional 
  • The program was not only about acquiring technical skills. 
  • They also learned how to reset their mindset giving them the assurance to apply for non-clinical roles that they previously felt were outside of their reach. 

At CareerInPharma, mentoring is core to the learning journey for every learner. For this doctor, it made all the difference. With help from the CIP team including support in terms of clarifying curiosity, building a strong CV, and interview preparation they knew they were not alone in the journey ahead of them.

“A heartfelt thanks to Dr. Neema, Dr. Jigar, Dr. Smriti, and many others at CIP for their mentorship in resume building and interview preparation. I also credit Dr. Sabana for her ongoing support throughout the job-hunting process. The team is transparent, honest, and truly committed to guiding every learner to success.”

This support was crucial in helping them overcome self-doubt and approach interviews with confidence.

The Breakthrough: Overcoming Challenges and Securing a Global Role

The route didn’t come without challenges. While conducting their study, familial responsibilities in this case especially caring for sick parents-in-law – made attending live classes very difficult, so they relied on recorded lectures and often at night while creating handwritten notes the old-fashioned way. 

The assignments fell behind, and sometimes it felt as if they would never catch up, but persistence mattered, not perfection. The doctor felt they had squandered an opportunity as two years prior they missed a walk-in interview for a TCS Medical Reviewer job, but instead of being upset, they continued thinking that things happen in perfect timing. Two years later, that same job opportunity happened again and the doctor was now prepared; shaky, but prepared. 

Eventually, after months of prep, submissions, interviews, etc., the doctor received the offer to work as a TCS Medical Reviewer Manager, one of a few medical roles with a reputable global organization. At 45 years of age, and after 20 years in clinical practice, this was only the doctor’s second job interview ever, and they killed it! This transition is more than merely a job change. This is a story of resilience, adaptability, and lifelong learning.

 “If you connect with good-hearted people and never give up, what is meant for you will always find its way.”

This transition is more than a career change. It is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of lifelong learning.

Lessons from the Journey

This narrative holds significant lessons for every physician thinking about entering a non-clinical space: 

1. It’s never too late. It may have been 5 years, or it may have been 25 years in clinical practice and the non-clinical world is still possible. 

2. Knowledge is power. Knowing about pharmacovigilance, clinical research and the pharmaceutical industry is essential to come into global roles. 

3. Mentorship is important. Making the right connection at the right time, and providing support, can change doubt into confidence. 

4. Persistence matters. Missing one opportunity isn’t permanent – it may be something meant to be for another day, 

5. Balance is achievable. Learning in a balanced way with flexibility, and committing to something even on your busy family schedule is possible.

Why Non-Clinical Roles Are the Future

Doctors bring a unique perspective to non-clinical roles. Their medical knowledge, clinical experience, and empathy make them ideal candidates for the following positions and These roles not only provide career growth and stability but also allow doctors to impact healthcare on a global scale.

Conclusion: Your Story Could Be Next

At CareerInPharma, we are proud to have supported this doctor in their transition from a clinical role in Malaysia to a global pharmacovigilance role. This story represents a new journey and a reminder of what is possible. With the right training, mentorship and persistence, you too can have a success story like this — the most important point being that this could be your story. If you have even had the thought of wanting to explore non-clinical opportunities, now is the time to act on it. 

  • Learn about global pharma career pathways 
  • Become equipped with industry-relevant training for pharmacovigilance and clinical research 
  • Personalized support in securing a non-clinical role (resumes and interviews) 
  • Community of like-minded individuals pursuing similar goals 

At CareerInPharma, we don’t just train you; we walk alongside you while you transform yourself. You have clinical experience that will be valued, let us help you convert that into a meaningful non-clinical career.

 Are you ready to begin your transition? Visit CareerInPharma today and explore our training and mentorship options. 

The next success story could be yours!