How to Work as a Pharmaceutical Product Manager

A pharmaceutical product manager often coordinates and oversees all aspects of medical products, from research funding to product advertising. You need training and experience in both management and the sciences in order to work in this position.

Things You'll Need

• Pharmaceutical marketing classes
• 5 to 10 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry
• Master's degree in business, management or a science field
• Internship

Instructions

1. Study management, one of the sciences (like biology or chemistry) or chemical engineering in college. If you're getting a business degree, minor in a science or at least take some general science courses. Some universities offer a minor in biotech or engineering management.

2. Intern with a pharmaceutical company while studying for your bachelor's degree. Networking with potential employers is essential if you want to break into the industry as a recent graduate. Even if you are a business student, you should be able to find internship opportunities with these companies.

3. Get your master's degree either in a management field or in a science. Most pharmaceutical positions will require you to have an advanced degree, and a degree becomes increasingly important as you try to move up to a product management position. If you are offered a job right out of college, see if the company will help pay for your graduate studies.

4. Look for opportunities to advance into group leader positions. You may have to work for several years before you are eligible for these types of promotions. Taking the initiative to organize your group and present new project ideas can show executives that you have the necessary skills and training to work as a product manager.

5. Take a few pharmaceutical marketing classes or attend trade-conferences. This industry is rapidly growing and you must stay on top of new developments in order to keep your job as a pharmaceutical product manager. Ask your employer to sponsor your membership for groups like the International Society of Pharmaceutical Engineers (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Once you've worked in the industry for a few years, start looking for management opportunities at other companies.

• Management promotions don't often fall into people's laps; you need to make HR and upper-management aware of your desire and qualifications for these positions.

• Don't neglect your writing skills in college. Product managers often have to submit detailed quarterly reports to the company's managing director.

Resources

• Management classes and industry info at ISPE