am currently a pharmacist with 7 years pharmacy experience and would like to make a transition to life science/healthcare consulting as I would ideally like to combine my clinical background/technical background in a commercial context.I have an interest in the pharma/biotech industry and am particularly interested in R&d analysis and strategy also in product/therapy analysis. I feel i have the tranferable skills to offer and am motivated and a quick learner. I would appreciate on any advice of what channels to pursue in my transition. Is an MBA a must for someone like myself without a formal financial background? do i just cold call consulting companies witjh my CV ? and what are some life science consulting companies that would be worth looking into? I have tried applying to some companies but the response I get is that I dont have the required experience in consulting!!! very frustrating since thats the experience i would like to get and would ideally like a firm to provide training/mentoring.Being a neophyte, I Would very much appreciate any advice offered thanks :)D

I thought I mentioned earlier what you should do. For summaryLook at the bio of the leading directors of the consulting firms and you'll find that not that many have MBA's (look at Mckinsey, Booz Allen and BCG). So MBA's are not a requisite.Best thing to do is apply via recruitment agencies they will tell you hat you need. One thing to note: do not think for one moment that if you secure a position within the healthcare division of a consultancy that you will be working alongside fellow healthcare professionals or people who know anything about healthcare. Let me explain further:Consulting is all about transferable skills in the junior ranks. This means people in healthcare departments may have come from IT, strategy or even another industry practice within that consultancy. This means you may very well find that you know more than anyone else about healthcare. Which may not be an advantage to your long-term prospects in consulting..too parochial. What i'm saying is consulting in itself is a profession. Do not think that you will go in a work on healthcare only. You will not. Are you prepared for that? Also some of the stuff you would work on may be dead boring..remember industry someetimes employ consultants for jobs they do not want to do, rather than they not being able to it.

thanks honest..appreciate the advicei have tried contacting some recruitment agencies bit was told that i need experience?? how am i going to get experience if i dont get a chance/hired!!!! i have the healthcare/technical background but not the consulting part. i think i do have the transferable skills but doesnt seem to be enough?? can u suggest some recruitment companies in UK??/ thanks again:)d

in that case an mba may be the best option. but be prepared to spend a bit though

thanks honestcould you provide with me with any names of consultancy firms worth a shot other than LEK, AT kEARNEY, Zaebra, Putnam , IMS, PA?cheersd

Recommend you contact consulting firms directly. PA have a good Life Sciences and Healthcare practice.

anon,tried PA but was told i dont have the required consultancy experience. i am prepared to enter at entry level, but would have thought that I would be attractive to a firm like PA even though no formal consultancy background????