【年薪300萬】行銷公關轉做醫療healthcare 十年後談談MBA帶來的成長與價值 ft. Elaine

Summary

Elaine Hsu, an MBA graduate from RSM in the Netherlands, shares her career journey from public relations to the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. With eight years in the industry, including roles at Philips and GSK, Elaine discusses her transition from marketing in medical devices to business intelligence in pharma. She also highlights the significance of an MBA in broadening career opportunities, expanding networks, and increasing earning potential. Elaine emphasizes the importance of resilience and adaptability in career transitions, especially for those without a medical or pharmaceutical background.

Takeaways

• 😀 Elaine Hsu graduated from RSM, Rotterdam School of Management in 2011 and has over 8 years of experience in the healthcare sector, particularly in marketing and business intelligence.
• 😀 Elaine's career journey includes working at Philips in healthcare marketing, focusing on MRI equipment, and later transitioning to the pharmaceutical industry in Shanghai and Hong Kong.
• 😀 After working in public relations for a few years, Elaine pursued an MBA to gain international experience and eventually transitioned to the 'client side' after working in agencies.
• 😀 Elaine highlights the importance of persistence when searching for job opportunities, emphasizing that even when told a role isn't available, continuing to engage and explore new options is key.
• 😀 The transition from Philips to pharmaceutical companies like GSK was significant, as it involved moving from marketing of medical devices to more strategic functions like business model analysis and CRM.
• 😀 Elaine emphasizes that the pharmaceutical industry is more exclusive and specialized compared to medical device companies, often requiring specific academic backgrounds like pharmacy or medicine to enter.
• 😀 One route to entering the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry for non-medical backgrounds is through MBA rotation programs, which many pharmaceutical and medical device companies offer.
• 😀 Another entry point is through consulting firms, especially those focusing on healthcare markets, such as ZS Associates or IQVIA, which provide valuable industry insights that can transition into client-side roles.
• 😀 In the field of commercial excellence within pharma, Elaine explains various functions, including CRM, Salesforce Effectiveness, digital marketing, and business intelligence, each aimed at optimizing engagement with healthcare professionals and enhancing market performance.
• 😀 Elaine reflects on the significant value an MBA provides, including the ability to navigate diverse professional environments, build a global network, and improve adaptability in new roles or functions.
• 😀 The financial return on an MBA investment is clear, as Elaine's salary significantly increased post-MBA—up to 3-4 times more compared to her pre-MBA salary, especially with tax benefits in countries like the Netherlands and Hong Kong.

Q & A

What motivated Elaine Hsu to pursue an MBA?

Elaine Hsu pursued an MBA for two main reasons: she wanted to transition from an agency role to a client-side position, and she sought international exposure, having observed the differences in market conditions outside of Taiwan while working at a PR agency.

How did Elaine Hsu transition from a public relations career to the healthcare industry?

Elaine transitioned from public relations to the healthcare industry through her MBA, which equipped her with the skills needed to move into more strategic roles in marketing and management. After graduation, she joined Philips in the healthcare sector, leveraging her marketing background.

How did Elaine get her job at Philips despite initially being overqualified for a role she applied for?

Elaine initially applied for a rotation program at Philips but was told she was overqualified due to her prior work experience. Instead of giving up, she followed up with the HR team, and they informed her of a new healthcare role that matched her profile. She successfully secured the position through persistence and a strategic follow-up.

What differences did Elaine observe between working in the medical device industry and the pharmaceutical sector?

Elaine highlighted that while both the medical device and pharmaceutical sectors fall under healthcare, pharma is often seen as more prestigious. The pharmaceutical industry tends to be more specialized, with employees having medical or pharmaceutical backgrounds. She noted that transitioning from medical devices to pharma required adapting to a different culture and approach.

What advice does Elaine have for people with non-medical backgrounds who want to enter the pharmaceutical or healthcare industries?

Elaine recommends two main pathways: first, applying for MBA rotation programs offered by pharma and healthcare companies, which allow individuals from non-medical backgrounds to gain exposure in different departments. Second, working in consulting firms specializing in healthcare, such as ZS or IQVIA, can provide valuable industry experience and a pathway into client-side roles.

What are the key areas of focus in a commercial excellence role in pharma, according to Elaine?

Elaine explained that commercial excellence in pharma focuses on four key areas: CRM (Customer Relationship Management) to track and engage customers, Salesforce Effectiveness to optimize sales team performance, digital marketing for promoting products through online channels, and Business Intelligence (BI) for analyzing market and sales data to support decision-making.

How did Elaine's MBA contribute to her ability to work in multiple countries and industries?

Elaine attributes her success in transitioning across countries and industries to the adaptability and problem-solving skills she gained during her MBA. The experience helped her quickly analyze new environments, tackle unfamiliar challenges, and integrate into new teams and functions, making her career transitions smoother.

What role did networking play in Elaine's career progression?

Networking played a critical role in Elaine's career, particularly through her MBA connections. For instance, her current position at GSK was secured through an internal referral from a Duke University alumnus she met during an exchange program. Elaine emphasized that the value of MBA alumni networks extends beyond the academic experience to real-world career opportunities.

What financial benefits did Elaine experience as a result of her MBA?

Elaine experienced a significant increase in her salary after completing her MBA, with her salary tripling after joining Philips. Additionally, she benefited from tax incentives in the Netherlands, where her MBA tuition could be deducted from her taxable income, and foreign workers in the Netherlands enjoy a tax break on 30% of their income.

How did Elaine's salary change when she moved from Europe to Asia?

Elaine's salary increased by approximately 40% when she moved from the Netherlands to Shanghai, largely due to lower taxes in Asia compared to Europe. In places like Hong Kong and Singapore, the tax rates are lower, which significantly boosts take-home pay compared to Western countries with higher tax rates.