The document discusses career opportunities for veterans in the pharmaceutical industry. It notes that while large pharmaceutical companies have reduced their US workforces, biotech and specialty drugmakers have increased hiring. Overall the industry added 10,000 jobs last year and expects continued growth. The best opportunities for veterans are in manufacturing, research and development, sales, marketing and other roles. Networking through groups like MVPvets can help veterans learn about and get connected to opportunities in the industry.

1. 70 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2015 | GIJOBS.COM
The pharmaceutical industry has
given up its mantle as a hotbed of
job growth in the United States, but
veterans still can find high-paying careers
in manufacturing, sales, marketing,
scientific research and other segments of
the industry.
The best opportunities may lie with
a specialty drugmaker, biotech firm or
medical device company rather than a
household name in the pharmaceutical
industry. So-called “big pharma” – led by
industry titans such as GlaxoSmithKline,
Bristol-Myers Squibb, Pfizer and
Eli Lily – shrunk its U.S. workforce
3 percent between 2003-2013, while the
headcount more than doubled at biotech
and specialty drugmakers, an EP Vantage
study shows.
Overall, the Bureau of Labor Statistics
reports the U.S. biopharmaceutical
industry added roughly 10,000 new jobs
last year, a slight uptick in a business that
employs nearly a million workers. With
the industry expected to reach $1 trillion
in sales in 2015, the “help wanted” sign
should remain out.
“The continued growth in biotech
and the need for new drugs within an
aging population should drive up demand
for workers, particularly in research
and development of new drugs,” says
John Challenger, CEO of Challenger,
Gray & Christmas, a Chicago-based
executive outplacement firm that tracks
job statistics. “Sales and marketing will
still offer some opportunities, but most
companies continue to run much leaner
sales departments, relying more and more
on e-commerce and clinical educators to
market their drugs.”
Challenger suggests veterans with an
interest in sales positions turn to medical
device and equipment manufacturers or
smaller pharmaceutical and biotech firms
INDUSTRY INTEL
THINKYOU’RENOTAFITFORPHARMACEUTICALS?
There are great careers beyond the lab.
BY ANDREA DOWNING PECK

2. 72 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2015 | GIJOBS.COM
that have to “put in more face-time with
potential customers in order to build
name recognition and relationships.”
Medica Search Partners’ Kevin
Carroll, a former Army officer and
aviator, whose first pharmaceutical job in
1994 was as a Bristol-Myers Squibb sales
representative, recommends veterans not
“sell themselves short” when seeking a
job in the industry. He says information
technology and accounting, for example,
are two highly valued career paths.
“Don’t look at the industry as one-
dimensional, because there are a lot of
different jobs besides the traditional
sales rep,” says Carroll, whose
executive search firm recruits in the
pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and
medical device industries. “Look deeper
into the organizations.”
While a Bachelor of Science degree is
a requirement for many pharmaceutical
jobs, an associate degree is all that’s
needed for roles as an entry-level
chemical technician or phlebotomist.
Joann Napolitano, university &
diversity recruiting lead at Merck,
recommends transitioning service
members certify their military skills in
the civilian world. For example, she
says military mechanics can receive
civilian certification as a journeyman
mechanic at no cost using the U.S.
Military Apprenticeship Program, which
would qualify them for a manufacturing
engineering job at Merck, while service
members working in personnel or
administrative roles could prepare to sit
for the Professional or Senior Professional
in Human Resources exam.
Knowing that many transitioning
service members do not see themselves
As many transitioning service mem-
bers have found, not all companies are
prepared to hire military or are “military
friendly.” Chad Sowash, director of vet-
eran recruiting for Randstad Sourceright,
warns that some companies are unsure
how to translate military skills and expe-
riences into civilian positions, because
an “MOS is just a small ingredient in a
much larger recipe for your career.”
To find those that do, Sowash rec-
ommends looking for companies that
have veteran employee re-
source groups, military-specific
recruiting programs and web-
sites that demonstrate an in-
depth understanding of the
military community.
Transitioning service mem-
bers must also be proactive. So-
wash says veterans must com-
mit to translating their military
roles and responsibilities into
language that correlates to ci-
vilian job descriptions, spend
time having their resume re-
viewed by experts, train for job
interviews and research, from
top to bottom, both the phar-
maceutical industry and the
individual companies to which
they apply.
“The veteran has to cross
the bridge halfway and the
company has to cross halfway,” Sowash
says. “If you expect the employer to
come all the way across the bridge, it is
not going to work. It has to be a shared
responsibility.”
Sowash points out that LinkedIn
also can be an “amazing tool” for mar-
keting yourself to potential employers
and identifying former service members
currently working in the pharmaceutical
industry.
“As a candidate, you’ll be most suc-
cessful when you do your research and
market yourself effectively,” he says. “You
won’t likely just pop out of the military
and have a job waiting for you, but the
opportunities are real.”
GET HIRED IN
How to
Pharmaceuticals
as natural fits for the pharmaceutical
industry, retired Marine Corps officer
Mike Grice formed MVPvets, a
nonprofit created to help veterans launch
a career in the life sciences. Transitioning
service members are mentored by
veterans working in the industry, while
partnering companies get access to a
military talent pool.
The program started in 2012 as
a joint venture with the Advanced
Medical Technology Association and
Massachusetts-based Abiomed. Today,
companies such as B. Braun Medical,
Baxter Health, St. Jude Medical,
Covidien, Excelsior Medical, Ethicon
and others sponsor recruiting events and
are actively hiring veteran members.
“Military have a tremendous skill
set and attributes that lend themselves
toward life sciences,” Grice says. “Part
of it is because of their understanding
of a rigorous environment and the
importance of getting everything right.”
In addition, Grice points out that
manufacturing companies – no matter
whether they produce tires or drugs and
medical devices – all need operations,
quality control, logistics, supply chain
and other workers.
“There’s a misperception in the
veterans community that there’s no place
for veterans inside life sciences because
there is a presupposition that you have to
be an engineer or scientist,” Grice says.
While the research and development
side of the pharmaceutical industry may
not be an open door for veterans, he
said the business side of the life science
industry is, particularly in life science
manufacturing.

3. GIJOBS.COM | APRIL 2015 | G.I. JOBS 7574 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2015 | GIJOBS.COM
SALARY
$88,500 - $147,500
$125,000
(PLUS COMMISSION)$60,000-$65,000
$64,340
$50,000-$55,000
$48,000-$53,000
$45,000-$53,000
$50,530 $24,000-$40,000
$30,000-$35,000
EDUCATION/
TRAINING
WHO’S
HIRING
A bachelor’s
degree in a field
related to the
product sold,
such as chemistry,
biology or
engineering is
often required.
Bachelor’s degree Bachelor’s degree
in life science,
engineering or
business, plus
regulatory affairs
experience.
R.Ph. (registered
pharmacist)
designation or
Pharm.D degree
from a four-
year pharmacy
school and state
license.
Express Scripts CR Bard Merck, CR Bard CR Bard
JOB
OUTLOOK 14% growth 9% growth 10% growth 7% growth
CR Bard, Merck
Bachelor’s degree
in engineering
(manufacturing,
mechanical or
industrial). Six Sigma
Certification and
experience in lean
manufacturing a plus.
Bachelor of
Science degree,
plus Analyst
Qualification
Certification may
be required.
High school
diploma
Bachelor’s degree,
with accounting/
finance preferred
High school diploma
or equivalent.
Depending on state
of employment, a
Pharmacy Technician
License/Certification
may be required at
time of application.
Merck, CR Bard Merck Express ScriptsAbbott Labs, Air Force
Material Command,
hospitals and universities
Merck
Bachelor of Science
degree with two years
of industry experience
or a Master of Science
in chemical and
bimolecular engineering,
biochemistry or other
related biological science.
13% 15% growth 20% growth10% growth 9% growth5% growth
WHAT
YOU’LL DO
Work for a
manufacturing
company selling
medical and
surgical devices.
You’ll sell products
ranging from
vaccines and
pharmaceuticals
to IT equipment
and software
to healthcare
providers, hospitals
and others in the
industry.
You’ll implement the
company’s domestic
and international
regulatory affairs
procedures while
serving on project
teams, collecting
data and information
for regulatory
submissions for new
products.
You’ll dispense
prescription
medications and
oversee pharmacy
technicians while
maintaining daily
production, quality
and service levels.
You’ll offer expertise
to patients in the safe
use of prescriptions.
MEDICAL DEVICE
SALES
SALES
REPRESENTATIVEPHARMACIST
REGULATORY
AFFAIRS
SPECIALIST
MANUFACTURING
ENGINEER
BIOLOGICAL
SCIENCE
LABORATORY
TECHNICIAN
PRODUCTION
WORKER
FINANCIAL
SPECIALIST/AUDIT
SPECIALIST
PHARMACY
TECHNICIAN
You’ll apply your
aptitude and
technical skills
as a member of a
multidisciplinary
team supporting the
operation of product
manufacturing
facilities.
You’ll set up and
operate laboratory
instruments and
equipment, monitor
experiments and
calculate and
record results while
assisting biological
and medical
scientists.
You’ll perform
manual and
automated
operations, general
maintenance and
support functions
necessary for
the production
of vaccines,
pharmaceuticals or
medical devices.
As a financial
analyst, you’ll be
responsible for crafting
budgets/financial
forecasts, analyzing
monthly results and
recommending financial
planning process
improvements. Audit
specialists participate
in the execution of
financial, operational,
SOX 404 and IT audits,
integrated audits and
process audits.
You’ll work with a
licensed pharmacist
to prepare new
prescription orders,
refill orders and
distribution orders.
You’ll synthesize,
purify and characterize
compounds essential
in the discovery and
development of new
medicines and devices.
RESEARCH
SCIENTIST
HOTJOBS INPHARMACEUTICALS

4. 76 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2015 | GIJOBS.COM
When Did You Begin Preparing
For Your Transition? The day
after I submitted my REFRAD. I
also wanted to be as informed as
possible in my decision so I started
interviewing with companies eight
months prior to my ETS.
What Worked Best in Your Job
Search? Being open-minded.
I wasn’t focused on finding a
particular job or working in a
specific industry. I was focused
instead on finding a position in the
right location and with plenty
of opportunity for growth.
What Didn’t Work? Solely
focusing on finding positions with
big-name companies. I discovered
that medium market companies
offered higher salaries as well the
most opportunity for growth.
Biggest Challenge? Learning the
technical aspect of my job. It is my
nature, as a former Army officer,
to want to know every machine or
piece of equipment as well if not
better than the technical operators
that operate them. I soon realized
that no matter how much I studied
the manuals or trained on the
machines, I could not replace 10-
plus years of technical experience.
It’s a humbling experience.
Best Advice? Interview with as
many companies as possible and
create options for yourself. Even if
you’re not particularly interested in
a company, accept their invitation
to interview and hone your
interviewing skills.
Senior Production Supervisor, CR Bard, Juarez, Mexico Age: 30
Military Service: Captain (0-3), Army (2007-2014) MOS: Military Intelligence
David Ramirez
AD

5. 78 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2015 | GIJOBS.COM
How Did You Get Your Job? After
leaving active duty, I was in no
rush to get a job. I had three search
firms looking for me, so I was
content to let them do their thing.
I was taking classes using the
Post-9/11 GI Bill, so I was receiving
a stipend through that route. Also,
I was doing my reserve time, so
I was getting paid that way as well.
What’s A Typical Day Like? An
operations manager is very much
like being a division officer on a
ship. I oversee the activities of
10 union personnel in the daily
formulation and filtration of
culture media. I manage payroll,
overtime, supply, schedule,
compliance and safety.
Biggest Challenge? Military
subordinates versus union
subordinates is the biggest
transition I’ve ever experienced in
any job change.
What Skills Did You Bring
from the Military? Leadership,
organization, strategy
Best Advice For Transitioning
Service Members? Utilize all
available tools. Recruiting firms
are very useful.
Operations Manager, Merck Age: 37
Military Service: Commander Select (0-5), Navy (1999-2010) Navy Reserve (2010-Present)
Rating: Human Resources Officer
Tim Hannen
AD
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militaryphotos

6. 80 G.I. JOBS | APRIL 2015 | GIJOBS.COM
How Did You Get Your Job?
I applied online and was contacted
by a veteran recruiter.
When did you begin the transition
process? I received an “early out for
education” so I began the transition
work one year prior to my actual
end of active duty date. I researched
educational institutions in order to
select an appropriate education plan
to finish my bachelor’s degree.
Best Thing About Your Job? I enjoy
being able to interact with a diverse
set of students and recent graduates
and assist with the dream of starting
a new career with such a great
company as Merck.
Biggest Challenge? The hardest part
of my transition was settling into the
civilian workplace. I am very fortunate
to work in an industry that is very
highly regulated, so the transition
was not that difficult.
What Skills Did You Bring from the
Military? The Marine Corps taught me
to be a disciplined leader and the ability
to work with a diverse set of people.
Best Advice For Transitioning
Service Members? Be patient; try
to formulate a plan and network.
University and Diversity Staffing Consultant, Merck Age: 32
Military Service: Sergeant (E-5), Marine Corps (2002-2010)
MOS: Admin (0151)
Tanya Luddy
AD
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