Lauren wrote this for BostInno – see link to article: http://bostinno.com/channels/the-life-sciences-industry-needs-more-than-just-scientists/
To build successful companies, the life sciences industry needs more than just biologists, chemists, and other scientific types. The industry needs lawyers, accountants, finance, human resources, operations (especially Six Sigma-trained), facilities, information technology, supply chain, manufacturing, marketing, and sales people. Science alone does not build a company, people do.
Certainly, when companies are formed, science is the core focus. Therefore many of the first hires are people with strong scientific backgrounds. As the companies grow, the "non-scientific" functional areas become extremely important and growth in these areas often outpaces the scientific hires. This creates tremendous opportunity for individuals to apply their skills and join very exciting innovative organizations.
While therapeutic companies may take years to develop their compounds; diagnostics, medical device and especially healthcare IT firms have shorter timelines to develop and launch their products. Some of these businesses look and feel more like high-growth software companies than cost-heavy mammoth organizations, and therefore individuals who have experience in the online and IT sectors may find the life sciences very attractive. Many individuals with consumer goods and financial services backgrounds also find homes in the life sciences industry as they look to apply their transferable skills.
For those of you who have experience in sectors outside of the life sciences industry, I hope that you will consider applying your skills to this industry. Not only will you be able to utilize your financial modeling, cost accounting, public relations, or corporate law, among other skills, you will be able to make a real difference in alleviating human suffering from disease. This last point alone is one of the strongest reasons why people join this industry. You will contribute to building successful companies, you will grow professionally and personally, and you will strengthen the industry.
Numerous career opportunities abound in the life sciences industry. The career paths are plentiful and passion is everywhere. No matter the role, in a life sciences company everyone contributes to making a difference in the lives of patients.