The MSL Insider

S2 EP. 1 How to Become an MSL: Transitioning from Pharmacy Industry

Interested in becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL)? In this MSL Academy Office Hours episode, Dr. Pamela Wilfang shares her journey from clinical pharmacy to Medical Science Liaison, along with practical, real-world advice for aspiring and early-career MSLs. In this episode, you’ll learn: • How Dr. Wilfang discovered the MSL role• Transferable skills from clinical practice to industry• Strategies for landing your first MSL position• Common interview mistakes and how to avoid them• Alternative pathways into medical affairs Resources mentioned: • MSL Talk Podcast• The MSL Academy Podcast• AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for interview preparation This episode is a must-listen for anyone exploring a career as an MSL—or for current MSLs looking to grow and advance in medical affairs. Learn more about our services at www.themslacademy.com

Is an MSL Career Right for You? Insights from a Clinical Pharmacist's Journey

Ever wonder what it really takes to land an MSL role? On this episode of The MSL Insider, we get a transparent look at the journey with Dr. Jumi Jacob, a Clinical Pharmacist who successfully transitioned into a Hepatology MSL role. Jumi holds nothing back. She discusses the sheer volume of applications, the marathon interview processes, and the moment she had to prioritize her personal life over a job offer. She then dives into the realities of being a new MSL: the challenge of cold-calling on busy KOLs, the importance of patience, and the creative networking strategies that finally opened doors. This is a must-listen for any healthcare professional aspiring to break into industry. Jumi’s story is a powerful reminder that a non-linear path, resilience, and strategic preparation are often the keys to success. Listen to learn: * How to reframe diverse clinical experience into a compelling MSL narrative. * The tangible projects that make your resume shine. * How to navigate the emotional rollercoaster of the job search without burning out. * Practical tips for building KOL relationships from the ground up. * Why considering contract roles might be your best career move. Subscribe to The MSL Insider wherever you get your podcasts! **** Tune in and discover how to bridge the gap between science and relationships in the evolving world of medical affairs! Watch the full conversation → ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://youtu.be/CvgdZ9M-JKQ] Explore The MSL Academy™ programs like ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel Into MSL™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-into-msl] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel As An MSL™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-as-an-msl] Watch our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE Masterclass here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/msl-masterclass]. Follow us on socials @themslacademy: • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/themslacademy/] • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/]• ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/themslacademy/] Ready to get started? Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The MSL Academy™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/5Lvs83iqBxJAjaP8O6ns8g/episode/6Qpj9N9RIDtoEUl0yTvLob/www.themslacademy.com] #MedicalAffairs #MSL #PharmD #CareerGrowth #HealthcareLeadership #BreakingIntoPharma

The MSL Hustle: How a Pharmacist Rewrote Her Career Script

"Scripts aren’t just for prescriptions anymore." In this candid episode of Office Hours with Dr. Swathi, Dr. Beth Thomas—a pharmacist who traded her white coat for the life of an MSL—reveals how she rewrote her career story from scratch. Packed with gritty truths and tactical advice, Beth shares: ✅ The "hustle" mindset that helped her pivot from community pharmacy to medical affairs ✅ Behind-the-scenes struggles (20+ applications, LinkedIn cold-messaging, and overcoming self-doubt) ✅ How to repurpose clinical skills into MSL gold (spoiler: KOLs aren’t that different from patients) ✅ The moment she realized her "non-traditional" path was her greatest advantage Whether you’re a pharmacist, NP, or PhD feeling "stuck," this episode is your playbook for reinventing your career—without starting over. **** Tune in and discover how to bridge the gap between science and relationships in the evolving world of medical affairs! Watch the full conversation → ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://youtu.be/CvgdZ9M-JKQ] Explore The MSL Academy™ programs like ⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel Into MSL™⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-into-msl] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel As An MSL™⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-as-an-msl] Watch our ⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE Masterclass here⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/msl-masterclass]. Follow us on socials @themslacademy: • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/themslacademy/] • ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/]• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/themslacademy/] Ready to get started? Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The MSL Academy™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/5Lvs83iqBxJAjaP8O6ns8g/episode/6Qpj9N9RIDtoEUl0yTvLob/www.themslacademy.com] #MedicalAffairs #MSL #PharmD #CareerGrowth #HealthcareLeadership #BreakingIntoPharma

The Role of MSLs in Clinical Trials & Career Growth

In this episode of Office Hours with Dr. Swathi, we dive into the critical role Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) play in clinical trials—from patient recruitment to KOL engagement. Joined by Zeba, a PharmD candidate and Medical Affairs Intern at The MSL Academy™, we explore: ✅ How MSLs bridge science and practice in clinical research ✅ Key challenges in trial phases & strategies to overcome them ✅ Building relationships with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) ✅ Transferable skills to break into medical affairs or elevate your MSL career Tune in for actionable insights, real-world examples, and a live Q&A with aspiring and early-career MSLs! **** Tune in and discover how to bridge the gap between science and relationships in the evolving world of medical affairs! Watch the full conversation → ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://youtu.be/CvgdZ9M-JKQ] Explore The MSL Academy™ programs like ⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel Into MSL™⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-into-msl] and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel As An MSL™⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-as-an-msl] Watch our ⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE Masterclass here⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/msl-masterclass]. Follow us on socials @themslacademy: • ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/themslacademy/] • ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/]• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/themslacademy/] Ready to get started? Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The MSL Academy™⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/5Lvs83iqBxJAjaP8O6ns8g/episode/6Qpj9N9RIDtoEUl0yTvLob/www.themslacademy.com] #MedicalAffairs #MSL #PharmD #CareerGrowth #HealthcareLeadership #BreakingIntoPharma

Career Pivot Alert! From Lab Coats to Launching a Biz—Dr. Shannon Colton’s Unfiltered Journey

Ever met someone who went from 3D-printing molecules to training MSLs… then ditched corporate to build her own biz? Meet Dr. Shannon Colton—scientist, ex-MSL, and rebel-turned-consultant who’s rewriting the rules. 🔥 In this no-BS episode of The MSL Insider, we unpack: * Why "get over it" is her #1 career advice (yes, really!) * The hidden glue role in pharma you’ve never heard of (spoiler: it’s NOT MSL) * How to hack networking when you hate asking for help * The ugly truth about transitioning to industry (hint: it’s not your resume) 💡 Shannon’s mic-drop moment: "Your network isn’t just for job hunting—it’s your secret weapon to avoid stupid mistakes." Perfect for: Scientists eyeing pharma, MSLs stuck in "what’s next?" mode, and anyone who’s ever dreamed of ditching the 9-to-5. **** Tune in and discover how to bridge the gap between science and relationships in the evolving world of medical affairs! Watch the full conversation → ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ [https://youtu.be/CvgdZ9M-JKQ] Explore The MSL Academy™ programs like ⁠⁠⁠Excel Into MSL™⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-into-msl] and ⁠⁠⁠Excel As An MSL™⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/excel-as-an-msl] Watch our ⁠⁠⁠FREE Masterclass here⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.themslacademy.com/msl-masterclass]. Follow us on socials @themslacademy: • ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/themslacademy/] • ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/] ⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/themslacademy/]• ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/themslacademy/] Ready to get started? Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠The MSL Academy™⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://creators.spotify.com/dash/show/5Lvs83iqBxJAjaP8O6ns8g/episode/6Qpj9N9RIDtoEUl0yTvLob/www.themslacademy.com] #MedicalAffairs #MSL #PharmD #CareerGrowth #HealthcareLeadership #BreakingIntoPharma