Episode 2: Canadian Career Stories

Summary

In this engaging interview, Sally, a veteran with over 40 years of experience in healthcare, shares insights into the industry's evolution from her first role as a Medical Representative to her current position. She emphasizes the challenging yet rewarding nature of the job, which involves educating patients and healthcare professionals about better treatment options. Sally advises aspiring Medical Reps to have a degree, be patient-focused, and prioritize the right treatment over sales targets for a fulfilling career in healthcare.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sally has been working in the healthcare industry for over 40 years.
• 👩‍⚕️ Her first job was as a Medical Representative, a role she fell into by chance.
• 🔄 Throughout her career, Sally has taken on various roles including medical education and training, before returning to field work.
• 🌟 The healthcare industry has evolved significantly over the years, with both positive and negative changes.
• 💼 The job of a Medical Representative is challenging, involving educating patients and changing beliefs and habits.
• 📈 There is a perception that the job is fun, but it requires serious commitment and understanding of medical care.
• 🎓 To become a Medical Representative, one typically needs at least a bachelor's degree, with a master's being beneficial.
• 🚪 Breaking into the industry can be difficult due to a reduction in available jobs, reflecting a trend across various sectors.
• 🔑 Experience is highly valued in the industry, as demonstrated by Sally's 40-year tenure.
• 🌱 For those starting in healthcare and sales, the focus should be on the patient and the right treatment, rather than sales targets.
• 💖 Having the right motivations and a genuine concern for patient care are crucial for success and longevity in the industry.

Q & A

What is Sally's name as mentioned in the transcript?

Sally is the name of the person being interviewed in the transcript.

In which industry does Sally work?

Sally works in the healthcare industry.

How long has Sally been working in healthcare?

Sally has been working in healthcare for over 40 years.

What was Sally's first job in healthcare?

Sally's first job in healthcare was as a Medical Representative.

How did Sally describe her first job in the healthcare field?

Sally described her first job as falling into it by chance, rather than by design.

What is Sally's current role in the healthcare industry?

Sally is back to her original role as a Medical Representative after having held various roles within the company.

How has the healthcare industry changed according to Sally?

Sally mentions that the industry has changed in many ways, with some changes being positive and some negative, similar to any industry.

What are the challenges Sally faces in her job as a Medical Representative?

Sally faces challenges such as helping people understand better ways to help patients, changing beliefs, habits, and thinking.

What educational background does Sally suggest for someone wanting to become a Medical Representative?

Sally suggests having at least a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree could be beneficial.

What advice does Sally give to those starting their career in healthcare and sales?

Sally advises being in the industry for the right reasons, focusing on the patient, and having the right treatment for the right patient in mind.

What is the importance of experience according to Sally in the healthcare industry?

Sally emphasizes the importance of experience, as it comes with longevity and the ability to do a good job in the industry.

Outlines

00:00

👩‍⚕️ Sally's Journey in Healthcare

Sally introduces herself and shares her extensive experience in the healthcare industry, spanning over 40 years. Initially starting as a Medical Representative, she discusses her evolution through various roles, including medical education and training, before returning to fieldwork. She emphasizes the significant changes in the industry, highlighting both positive and negative aspects, and the challenging yet rewarding nature of her job, which involves educating patients and healthcare professionals about better treatment options.

Keywords

💡Healthcare industry

The healthcare industry encompasses the provision of medical services, products, and equipment for the treatment and prevention of diseases and other health conditions. In the video, Sally's career is deeply rooted in this industry, highlighting its evolution and the challenges faced over her 40-year tenure.

💡Medical Representative

A Medical Representative is a professional who promotes medical products or services to healthcare professionals and institutions. Sally's first job in the healthcare industry was as a Medical Representative, which set the stage for her diverse roles within the sector.

💡Field work

Field work in the context of healthcare refers to the on-site activities performed by professionals such as Medical Representatives. Sally mentions returning to this role, indicating the hands-on, direct interaction with clients and patients that is a fundamental part of the job.

💡Medical education and training

This concept involves the imparting of knowledge and skills related to medical practices and products. Sally's career included roles in medical education and training, which are crucial for updating healthcare professionals on new treatments and methodologies.

💡Industry change

The term refers to the evolution and transformation within a particular sector over time. Sally discusses the significant changes in the healthcare industry, including both positive advancements and challenges that have arisen over her 40-year career.

💡Perception vs. reality

This concept contrasts the common beliefs or expectations about a job or industry with the actual experiences and demands of the role. Sally notes that while being a Medical Representative may be perceived as fun, the reality is that it's a tough job requiring dedication and resilience.

💡Patient-focused

A patient-focused approach prioritizes the needs, preferences, and well-being of patients in healthcare decisions. Sally emphasizes that the healthcare industry should be centered on providing the right treatment for the right patient, rather than solely on sales targets.

💡Degree

In the context of the video, a degree refers to formal education that is often a prerequisite for certain professional roles. Sally mentions that a bachelor's degree is a minimum requirement to start as a Medical Representative, with a master's degree being beneficial.

💡Job scarcity

This term refers to the reduced availability of job opportunities within an industry. Sally points out that there are fewer jobs in the healthcare industry compared to the past, making it more challenging for newcomers to break into the field.

💡Career advice

Career advice is guidance given to individuals starting or considering a particular profession. Sally provides advice to those entering healthcare and sales, emphasizing the importance of being in the industry for the right reasons and focusing on patient outcomes.

💡Longevity

Longevity in a career context refers to the duration and sustainability of one's professional life. Sally's 40 years of experience serve as an example of longevity, demonstrating the value of experience and commitment in a career.

Highlights

Sally has been working in the healthcare industry for over 40 years.

Her first job was as a Medical Representative, which she fell into by chance.

Sally's current role involves field work after experiencing various positions within the company.

The healthcare industry has evolved significantly over the years, with both positive and negative changes.

The job of a Medical Representative is often perceived as fun but is actually quite challenging.

Medical Representatives need to help people understand better ways to help patients and change beliefs and habits.

Healthcare today is considered more serious compared to the past.

To start as a Medical Representative, one should ideally have a bachelor's degree, with a master's being beneficial.

Getting a foot in the door of the healthcare industry is not easy due to a reduction in job opportunities.

Once established, there is potential for movement and growth within the healthcare industry.

Sally emphasizes the importance of being in the healthcare industry for the right reasons, focusing on patient care.

The role of a Medical Representative should prioritize the right treatment for the right patient over company objectives.

Having a genuine concern for patients is crucial for doing a good job and ensuring longevity in the industry.

Sally shares valuable advice for those starting their careers in healthcare and sales.

The interview concludes with a warm exchange and well wishes for the future.

Transcripts

[Music]

tell us your name Sally nice to meet you

Sally what's your uh work I work in

healthc care industry how long You' been

uh working for the healthare oh 40 two

years what was your first job uh in the

healthcare my first job yeah uh well it

was in that field but it was as a

Medical Rep that's what I do and uh just

kind of back then I just fell into it it

wasn't on purpose what is your role

today you know what I'm back to that

role again after a number of different

roles within the company doing medical

education training Etc but back to field

work 40 years back to today how how has

the industry changed in the terms of sa

so many ways so many ways yeah um some

of it positive some of it negative which

I think is every industry um and I would

say that the perception is that it is um

a fun job but it's actually a tough job

because it you have to help people

understand that there's better ways of

helping patients do better and you're

changing beliefs and habits and thinking

so it's changed a lot um because I think

Medical Care is so much more serious

today than it was back then another

question so if anybody want to start as

their Medical Rep well you have to have

a degree to begin with like a for sure a

bachelor's I mean a master's doesn't

hurt you um and then basically you have

to get your foot in the door and it's

not that easy there's not as many jobs

as before cuz every industry is

shrinking um but once you do that uh you

can move within the industry and I think

it comes with a lot of experience like

you 40 years of experience is a lot uh

and what is your advice to the people

who are just starting out their career

in the uh Healthcare uh and sales well I

I think um you have to be in it for the

right reasons I think um for that

industry it is about the patient at the

end of the day there is like sales Etc

but it really should be focused on what

the right treatment for the right

patient is versus what your obors are as

a company to me you have to have that in

your heart to do a good job and

Longevity it's a great advice thank you

so much really appreciate sharing

everything today nice to meet you have a

good day thank