Major Pluses about Careers in Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals
• You work for a company whose products can improve or save lives, and sometimes even eradicate terrible diseases.
• Choose your own adventure: Those who seek stability and structure can find it in pharmaceutical firms; those pursuing a wilder ride can sign up with a small biotech outfit.
• For scientists, the industry offers an alternative to the low pay of academia; for MBAs, it requires fewer hours than consulting or banking.
Major Minuses about Careers in Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals
• Though your work can help save lives, the bottom line almost always comes first.
• The industry is going through a period of consolidation, so even Big Pharma no longer offers ironclad job security.
• Very few potential drugs make it from conception to market. This is particularly significant if you want work for a small biotech shop whose business depends on the success of one or two products.
• You work for a company whose products can improve or save lives, and sometimes even eradicate terrible diseases.
• Choose your own adventure: Those who seek stability and structure can find it in pharmaceutical firms; those pursuing a wilder ride can sign up with a small biotech outfit.
• For scientists, the industry offers an alternative to the low pay of academia; for MBAs, it requires fewer hours than consulting or banking.
Major Minuses about Careers in Biotechnology/Pharmaceuticals
• Though your work can help save lives, the bottom line almost always comes first.
• The industry is going through a period of consolidation, so even Big Pharma no longer offers ironclad job security.
• Very few potential drugs make it from conception to market. This is particularly significant if you want work for a small biotech shop whose business depends on the success of one or two products.
