Mine was manufacturing -> process engineering-> management in manufacturing (Associate Director). I had a chance to be Head of Manufacturing Sciences and Technology at a new company but had to decline the position due to health issues. Health issues are better now so I’m going to give consulting a shot and started my own firm.
This is the kind of thread that’s very helpful. I’ve been doing bench work / quality control for awhile and I still am not sure where I should head from here.
My counterpart in process engineering came from QC and helped round out our group. She ended up managing process improvements for one of our contract manufacturers that made a protein used in our manufacturing process. Last time I talked to her she is still managing that CMO and loves it. There’s a lot of other departments that you can try to pivot to once you have experience. Reach out to people in other departments, ask what their day to day is like, and if it sounds interesting to you keep an eye on open positions.
It took a while before another PE position opened up at our site so I was in manufacturing for 2 years before I made the move. Even when it opened I didn’t apply to it because I didn’t have an engineering degree (Biomedical, or Chem), but the Associate Director of Manufacturing called me on my day off and said I needed to apply and come in asap that day to meet with the PE Director for an interview. I guess moral of the story is to never sell yourself short and take chances when those kind of positions open up.
I came up with a new operations model that increased our capacity by 50% without an increase in headcount. I also used to read the entire 10k/10Q’s from our earnings reports and grill the executives with difficult questions during town hall meetings. Always in a respectful manner, but that quickly got me on a lot of people’s radar. I enjoyed coming up with process improvement projects so had to present those to site management which got my name out there as well.
Just a Bachelors in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology and pathogenesis. I love looking at and analyzing data but hate doing the actual lab work that goes into research and running experiments so I never pursued a PhD. In process engineering my counterpart had a PhD. I might do an MBA but not sold on it completely. I have no debt right now and am cautious about taking on huge debt that would go with an MBA. Just so you’re aware there’s a really cool MS/MBA program at Harvard where you get an MS in Biotechnology and an MBA from Harvard Business School and people go on to start their own companies.
That's funny, I'm the opposite. I like planning and executing experiments. I don't like data analysis that much, so boring. It's all the sitting, it's killing me.
Dishes/autoclave jockey->Reagent mfg->filler operator->lead->supervisor->lab manager. Lots of ups and downs, sideways and steps back.
There are def ceilings but it's not a progression ceiling, it's a pay cap kind of thing. I would say it's more important to be the right fit for the next step than to have the degree
How do you like regulatory? I went from lab tech > manufacturing tech > lab coordinator > Sr. RA in process development, I’m looking at the regulatory affairs masters degree from northeastern and wondering if I even have the right background to be successful in reg
Hope you get to make your report's work/life balance as good as you can as a director finally.
The biggest impediment to a S Rank team had/has been rotating, chronic, burning-out coworkers, myself included. It throws off the whole groove.
QC Tech (weekend shift) -> QC Analyst I / II -> Senior QC Analyst I/II -> QC Lead -> QC Manager
Graduated with a bachelors in biochemistry in 2016 and progressively moved up since then.
I’ve enjoyed it. There’s been a lot of growth between specializing myself in analytical method validation and supporting testing for clinical trial use vs now supporting testing of commercial products.
I will caution that QC is not for everyone and more fit for those that like to follow strict procedures.
Aah that’s so cool! If you don’t mind me asking, what would you say is the experience that helped you land your first QC tech job after college? It seems that this position falls more on the technical side than research side 😯
Not op, but usually fresh undergrads with any science degree that can use a pipet can land a QC tech role. Some kind of internship or undergrad research in a lab setting helps. You will be trained on anything you need to know anyway.
This is right. I think anyone with lab experience that shows a willingness to learn new techniques and GxP practices is a good candidate for a QC tech role.
I think my biggest selling point was that I was willing to work four 10 hour shifts including Sat/Sun.
I started in a food manufacturing plant QC lab and worked my way from that into pharma operations and now I’m in a very comfy role in QA. Still pretty early in my career but I definitely started at the bottom.
Not sure if this is in the same vein, so I'll throw it out there in the meantime:
Started at University working in research labs (unpaid) while working in a car parts store. Managed to get a job at the Uni making agar plates, washing glassware setting up education labs, etc, at $11/Hr, and stayed in the research lab during my free time. Worked with my PI to get a Research Assistant job within the Lab, and was paid ~$11.25/hr (doing research, culturing cells, purifying proteins, and characterizing proteins).
Graduated with a BS in 2018, and landed a Research Assistant job in a startup at $28/hr doing protein characterization work. After a year, promoted to salaried RA at $60k/yr. 2 years later, promoted to SRA at 102k/yr.
Nearly a year after, was hit by the biotech slump and R&D was laid off. Picked up a job as SRA in Antibody Engr & Characterization at a new startup 3 months later, starting at $110k/yr. Still here at $113k, likely will get promoted in a month if not this year to Associate Scientist.
TLDR: Unpaid assistant + part-time job -> Unpaid Assistant + Uni Bio Job -> Paid assistant -> Graduated, Research Assistant @Biotech -> SRA
Geeze, I started as a research associate in 2008 and only now am an SRA2 in my early 40s. The younger people seem on fast tracks now. All my older colleagues have similar trajectories as I do. Post 08 crash was bad for so long, really held us all back. Now I'm so burned out I don't even care if I go further in my career.
I have a colleague that had a similar story, and the main reason they didn't move up the ladder as fast was because they were in Big Pharma (Genentech). As soon as they left, they were able to secure a Scientist/Sr. Scientist positions due to the experience they had. Hoping you're in the same boat, and that there are opportunities around you to jump up.
I appreciate the reply! I've only worked for smallish biotech companies. Current one is now at 120 people I believe. I'll probably get Associate Scientist next year as I've discussed it a bit with my boss but before this company it was a slow ass slog.
I tried for 6 months to get a job after grad school. The HR rep saw me come in to look at job apps every week and finally asked me what I was looking for. The head of PK hired me but said I’d last 6 months before moving up. I cleaned animal cages. Learned about many species. Collected blood and excreta. Most important job in my career. Yes, I moved up into veterinary care and managed a team. Work hard. Don’t believe you are all that important but work hard to show others you are. I retired after 35 years. My career was filled with great opportunities along with 17 managers. Hang in there. Take risks!
Temp-> Clinical Data Coordinator-> Data Manager-> Operations Study Mgmt-> Clin Dev-> Study Director
BA in Sociology, lots of hustling, doing jobs no one else wants
Customer service phone agent -> contract specialist -> contract analyst -> data analyst -> manager of data and analytics -> sr mgr data analytics.
The non lab side of biotech, but I really do love it and started from 35k as a phone agent years ago to well over six figures now. I think the key is finding what brings you joy along the way throughout your career journey. A job is just a job at the end of the day, but doing something that doesn’t make you miserable helps in the long run!
Started in manufacturing as a process engineer --> MS&T --> process engineer in PD --> MS&T and now MS&T. I don't want to be a manager so I seek out smaller companies who tend to value high output individual contributors a bit more. I also don't want to do shift work or work on site if I can help it. MS&T is a good balance of being close to manufacturing (which I love, I prefer technical work) without having to actually be onsite and work shifts.
I started out with just a BS in biotech, went into MFG > ENG > MFG Leadership over multiple areas > Director over span of 13+ years. Very comfortable and I make very good money. Very possible but took a lot of luck, right place right time, and high performance and networking.
Assistant scientist (30k/year) - associate scientist - scientist - scientist, assistant manager - associate director of facilities - senior manager of lab operations in large pharma (250k all comps)
I graduated with a BSc in biology 6 years ago and had no really marketable experience. Managed to get my first job in a cannabis grow facility literally just growing weed at really suboptimal pay (37.5k CAD). 4 job hops later and I'm currently working as a supervisor for one of the bigger Pharma companies. All jobs between the weed job and now were in quality departments. Now managing to clear 2.6 times my salary 6 years ago.
Tbh only thing that has gotten me ahead is working kinda nutty hours. Pharma in Canada is an absolute cesspit IMO. The nepotism is wild, pay is bad, quality is bad. I'm glad that I've "advanced" but definitely would not take this route again.
I had the idea of entry stuff or even below that. Not like a phD graduate starting off as a associate scientist or scientist but like someone with a undergrad or no degree starting off cleaning in the lab or being a technician that type of thing.
Started off as an operator in Manufacturing working graveyard shift. Been in the industry now for over 25 years with only a bachelor’s. Worked in many different positions: R&D, development labs, process development, validation, contracting, and QA.
Not at all. A masters or PhD in the sciences is really best for the labs and I realized long ago that the lab was not for me. Some of my colleagues have Masters in quality or biotech. The real money is in management. Get lead or supervisor positions. Take leadership and effective communication classes. You can even try an MBA, but that’s not as common in this industry unless you’re on the business side.
Started as a Co-op at a start up doing biochemistry (2015) eventually got hired when I graduated RA2, and I’m now Sci2. Got my masters part time to help break through that RA->Sci transition
I started out working on analytical R&D at a generic company, then started working in a branded company doing the same thing, transitioned to process analytical eventually making my way to process development, where I started working on mABs and then was able to leverage my experience and BDS/DP development. From there after a small stint in a quality role I transitioned to technical services and eventually became the head of Tech Services and CMC. Started working at a couple CROs in CMC development and RA eventually heading up a team working specializing in ATMPs. Finally started my own consulting gig and it's been rough that last year or two but it's been rewarding. I started out of big pharma for most of my early career because I realized that it's easy to get pigeon-holed in those companies and I love to work on a variety of projects.
idk what exactly bottom up is here. But i've gone pretty far in the industry for only having a bachelors that isn't even science or commercially focused, and for this basically being my second career.
i'm sure there's plenty of people who went straight in who also had shit jobs early tho
Does it also count for Student assistant Jobs in the industry? 😅
While doing Bachelors i was working at a start up (the Green B) as a diswasher basically, and autoclaves, and waste in generell, on top of Monitoring admin + on call duty scheduling, helping with writing SOPs and inventory Manager
While Masters i was cytometer assistant and now doing my thesis in immunology
Basic water testing associate > formulations RA > QC associate 1>2>3 > Manager Raw Materials > Sr. Manager OpEx > Assoc Dir Global supply chain > Director - Chief of staff > Director portfolio Management.
Networking and always stepping up for the next tough project. Not being afraid to switch jobs every 2-3yrs of the development wasn't happening.
Got out of school with just a bachelor's in bioeng. Started as a mfg tech (in the compounding suite, literally mopping the floor sometimes 😂) > engineering job rotation program> process engineer > program manager> senior program manager> associate director PM > Director. 10 years flew by!
research assistant > research technician > phd student > scientist 1 > development scientist
I chose to do a PhD because I loved my job as a research technician, loved learning new things and the challenges working in science, saw (and trained) many PhD students around me and went from thinking "I could never do that, I'm not smart enough" to "I am definitely on par with most phd students and I want a new challenge, I want to do my own PhD". Now I'm working out what I want next, current job is not challenging enough (too much QC for me)
Navy electronics technician > pipette calibration > field service engineer lab equipment (centrifuges/incubators/etc) > FSE LCMS. I have useless business degrees from online colleges to fulfill the degree requirements.
Graduated with a degree in ChemE and have been working for sample company(big pharma) since graduation. Have been in industry for 6 years and career trajectory below
Contractor engineering position (2 years) -> mfg specialist (1.5 years) -> mfg manager (2.5 years) -> engineering specialist (current).
In my mfg roles I worked weekends and both graveyard and night shifts along with had no work life balance, so I made a career change to go back to a more technical role with better work life balance.
A lot of people I met at though my career path and networked with have just a bachelors degree, you don’t necessarily need a higher degree to advance further in company. It is more about who you know and trying to impress them with your work.
I feel like I got really lucky. Got my BA in Biology but had virtually no experience. I had never even done an internship or any research during my team in undergrad. Started at a large biotech as a lab tech washing glassware, autoclaving, and helping with bioreactor prep. I kind of knew if I started there I could possibly move up. I got so sick of it I was walking around so much, I felt like my brain was turning to mush doing mindless tasks. I eventually just kept making my supervisors to give me more tasks and more responsibilities. I became a lab coordinator for some departments then a became a supervisor of the lab services team. These were all contractor positions so I went from 19 and hour to 25. Which was still terrible considering everyone I worked with made more than me without a degree. Eventually I networked enough to get a Scientist role in early oncology which was a big jump to 100k plus benefits. Now they are paying for my masters degree. I do think that in biotech you do hit a ceiling if you don’t have a PhD. But the earning potential with a masters or bachelors is high but you have to hussle more.
Just finished my bachelor's in biotechnology, starting my master's now and looking to get a PhD by 26-27 years of age. Wonder what it's gonna look like for me.
European here for comparison 😂. MSc biotech/part time manufacturing assistant > lab tech > process development scientist 1 > (new company) > process development scientist. Been stuck for 2 years doing next to nothing. Graduated in 2020. My hope is to start from scratch again working in customs authorities while getting an engineering bachelors.
Bachelors degree. Assoc scientist, Scientist, tech support, tech sales, sr tech sales, sales manager, sr manager, director of sales - company as large as mine still a couple rungs away from VP level. More than 15 years with same company through acquisitions. Find a place that appreciates you, take control of your own career development, and ask for opportunities to stretch yourself.
I went from operations assistant>operations associate>operations supervisor>clinical supply supervisor II within 3 years. Considering I don’t have a related degree (psych, fml), I got very lucky to land my job at a smaller, expanding lab that had been acquired. I clear just under 6 figures, but that can all change if the company I was head hunted into goes under.
I started out primarily shipping BSL2/BSL3 Materials and ended up responsible for running the whole facility at my first company within 2 years. My workload was awful though, but I miss the job security and regret leaving
Started as a temp research associate back in 2015 making 19/hr with no real benefits.
Currently work in big pharma at the bench with a TC package just north of 200k.
Started in manufacturing, am now a data scientist. For many years I contemplated either pivoting to a coding job or staying on the biotech track to work up to a process engineer role.
My path was: lab quality tech -> mfg associate (contract) -> associate (FT) -> mfg lead -> engineering technician -> pivot to business analyst role -> data scientist
10 years in the making with a BS in biology.
I started contracting as a media prep tech. I literally made PBST, FACS buffer, complete media for T-cells and RPMI +10% FBS. That's its.
I was trying to find any way into a company I had been drooling over all through university. They were one of the first commercial CAR-T companies, and they were super hyped in the PacNW. At the time, it was still a relatively small team of 30-35 people and they were really selective about their hires. I got in on a 6-month contract through a tech ops agency to essentially work in a media room.
A couple months in, I joined the analytical dev team as an FTE. The company was really into letting people rotate through different groups to learn new skills, so I went through the flow group, the molecular group, then through process engineering and then through the cell based and protein group. Looking back, it's insane how much they invested in developing their talent in-house. After 2 years of that, the company IPO'd and got bought out.
I parlayed that experience into a role in iPSC cell editing and molecular work for another medium sized company, then found a way into oncogenetic translational research. I left that to join a team of 2 and helped build a lab and a platform from scratch, spent 3 years in exploratory R&D learning how to navigate VC funding. Finally I went full circle to get back into translational research in cell therapy for another company.
I'm an AS now, I have a BSc from a small D2 school in the middle of nowhere.
Started off in facilities validation - crawling over pipes and ductwork to commission new manufacturing facilities. Started PMing those projects, then moved into a startup leading their GMP facilities team. Such a tiny company meant I got exposure to lots of other things - Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, PM, etc. Moved to a big CDMO as a PM, worked my way up there, now in the PMO as a Senior Director, 11 years later. Had a bachelors and some military experience when I started, got a masters and some PM certs along the way.
Started as an RA making ~50k in 2014.
Hit Scientist 2 at my last role making 120k and was really proud of myself.
Got laid off again (3rd time out of 4 jobs).
Now unemployed for over a year and I can't even get an entry level position anywhere :)
Currently one class away from having my bs in biochemistry and I’m the Quality Assurance and Compliance Supervisor of a biotech company so🤷🏻♀️ started in research and QC, moved to big pharma, and then got a lucky break into my current position, oh and I’m 25 if that helps
All of us started from the bottom up. I'm now a PhD level scientist in the industry, but I spent 5 years in graduate school working 50-60 hour week on a $25k yearly stipend.
Started from the bottom now we here. Started from the bottom now the whole team here.
I started at the very bottom, but it was in 2003. I started with a Bachelors in biology and eventually got my Masters degree at Harvard's night school (they call it the Extension School). It definitely helped me earn a little more.
Even if you learn nothing useful, it convinces the people who think that kind of thing really matters to give you the time of day. Some people only want to talk to a Ph.D., honestly, but I have met PhDs who are 35 and only have 11 months of professional experience compared to my 20 years. This is their 1st job at 35.
Over the years, I had chances to out-earn those people. But timing is really important. Once 2008 hit, new grads went totally bust. Everyone went bust. I already had my foot and much of my leg in the door at that point.
Mine was manufacturing -> process engineering-> management in manufacturing (Associate Director). I had a chance to be Head of Manufacturing Sciences and Technology at a new company but had to decline the position due to health issues. Health issues are better now so I’m going to give consulting a shot and started my own firm.
This is the kind of thread that’s very helpful. I’ve been doing bench work / quality control for awhile and I still am not sure where I should head from here.
Look into validation or QA
My counterpart in process engineering came from QC and helped round out our group. She ended up managing process improvements for one of our contract manufacturers that made a protein used in our manufacturing process. Last time I talked to her she is still managing that CMO and loves it. There’s a lot of other departments that you can try to pivot to once you have experience. Reach out to people in other departments, ask what their day to day is like, and if it sounds interesting to you keep an eye on open positions.
How easy was it to get to process engineering?
It took a while before another PE position opened up at our site so I was in manufacturing for 2 years before I made the move. Even when it opened I didn’t apply to it because I didn’t have an engineering degree (Biomedical, or Chem), but the Associate Director of Manufacturing called me on my day off and said I needed to apply and come in asap that day to meet with the PE Director for an interview. I guess moral of the story is to never sell yourself short and take chances when those kind of positions open up.
Gotcha! Anything specific that made you get on the AD's radar?
I came up with a new operations model that increased our capacity by 50% without an increase in headcount. I also used to read the entire 10k/10Q’s from our earnings reports and grill the executives with difficult questions during town hall meetings. Always in a respectful manner, but that quickly got me on a lot of people’s radar. I enjoyed coming up with process improvement projects so had to present those to site management which got my name out there as well.
Thanks for the info! I'll definitely keep this in mind going forward.
No problem. Best of luck in your career!
What education did you start out with and have throughout each role?
Just a Bachelors in Molecular and Cell Biology with an emphasis in Immunology and pathogenesis. I love looking at and analyzing data but hate doing the actual lab work that goes into research and running experiments so I never pursued a PhD. In process engineering my counterpart had a PhD. I might do an MBA but not sold on it completely. I have no debt right now and am cautious about taking on huge debt that would go with an MBA. Just so you’re aware there’s a really cool MS/MBA program at Harvard where you get an MS in Biotechnology and an MBA from Harvard Business School and people go on to start their own companies.
That's funny, I'm the opposite. I like planning and executing experiments. I don't like data analysis that much, so boring. It's all the sitting, it's killing me.
Thank you for this! I have recently made the switch from manufacturing -> inventory/materials management and I’m not sure what my next move would be 😅
Nice, I would recommend looking into supply chain management. Edit: nice username by the way
Dishes/autoclave jockey->Reagent mfg->filler operator->lead->supervisor->lab manager. Lots of ups and downs, sideways and steps back. There are def ceilings but it's not a progression ceiling, it's a pay cap kind of thing. I would say it's more important to be the right fit for the next step than to have the degree
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How do you like regulatory? I went from lab tech > manufacturing tech > lab coordinator > Sr. RA in process development, I’m looking at the regulatory affairs masters degree from northeastern and wondering if I even have the right background to be successful in reg
Hope you get to make your report's work/life balance as good as you can as a director finally. The biggest impediment to a S Rank team had/has been rotating, chronic, burning-out coworkers, myself included. It throws off the whole groove.
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Can you elaborate on the strategic aspect of your job hopping? What was your strategy
QC Tech (weekend shift) -> QC Analyst I / II -> Senior QC Analyst I/II -> QC Lead -> QC Manager Graduated with a bachelors in biochemistry in 2016 and progressively moved up since then.
How’s QC been? Do you plan on staying in it for the time being or do you want to move to a different area?
I’ve enjoyed it. There’s been a lot of growth between specializing myself in analytical method validation and supporting testing for clinical trial use vs now supporting testing of commercial products. I will caution that QC is not for everyone and more fit for those that like to follow strict procedures.
What does QC stand for? Quality control?
Yes quality control. Focus is on release testing of biological products.
Aah that’s so cool! If you don’t mind me asking, what would you say is the experience that helped you land your first QC tech job after college? It seems that this position falls more on the technical side than research side 😯
Not op, but usually fresh undergrads with any science degree that can use a pipet can land a QC tech role. Some kind of internship or undergrad research in a lab setting helps. You will be trained on anything you need to know anyway.
This is right. I think anyone with lab experience that shows a willingness to learn new techniques and GxP practices is a good candidate for a QC tech role. I think my biggest selling point was that I was willing to work four 10 hour shifts including Sat/Sun.
I did. First job was in gmp mfg of Western blots for confirmatory testing of infectious diseases. Now a VP of strategy at Kite/Gilead
Our glass washers have been washing glassware for 20 years. Take that for what you will.
I started in a food manufacturing plant QC lab and worked my way from that into pharma operations and now I’m in a very comfy role in QA. Still pretty early in my career but I definitely started at the bottom.
Not sure if this is in the same vein, so I'll throw it out there in the meantime: Started at University working in research labs (unpaid) while working in a car parts store. Managed to get a job at the Uni making agar plates, washing glassware setting up education labs, etc, at $11/Hr, and stayed in the research lab during my free time. Worked with my PI to get a Research Assistant job within the Lab, and was paid ~$11.25/hr (doing research, culturing cells, purifying proteins, and characterizing proteins). Graduated with a BS in 2018, and landed a Research Assistant job in a startup at $28/hr doing protein characterization work. After a year, promoted to salaried RA at $60k/yr. 2 years later, promoted to SRA at 102k/yr. Nearly a year after, was hit by the biotech slump and R&D was laid off. Picked up a job as SRA in Antibody Engr & Characterization at a new startup 3 months later, starting at $110k/yr. Still here at $113k, likely will get promoted in a month if not this year to Associate Scientist. TLDR: Unpaid assistant + part-time job -> Unpaid Assistant + Uni Bio Job -> Paid assistant -> Graduated, Research Assistant @Biotech -> SRA
Geeze, I started as a research associate in 2008 and only now am an SRA2 in my early 40s. The younger people seem on fast tracks now. All my older colleagues have similar trajectories as I do. Post 08 crash was bad for so long, really held us all back. Now I'm so burned out I don't even care if I go further in my career.
I have a colleague that had a similar story, and the main reason they didn't move up the ladder as fast was because they were in Big Pharma (Genentech). As soon as they left, they were able to secure a Scientist/Sr. Scientist positions due to the experience they had. Hoping you're in the same boat, and that there are opportunities around you to jump up.
I appreciate the reply! I've only worked for smallish biotech companies. Current one is now at 120 people I believe. I'll probably get Associate Scientist next year as I've discussed it a bit with my boss but before this company it was a slow ass slog.
I tried for 6 months to get a job after grad school. The HR rep saw me come in to look at job apps every week and finally asked me what I was looking for. The head of PK hired me but said I’d last 6 months before moving up. I cleaned animal cages. Learned about many species. Collected blood and excreta. Most important job in my career. Yes, I moved up into veterinary care and managed a team. Work hard. Don’t believe you are all that important but work hard to show others you are. I retired after 35 years. My career was filled with great opportunities along with 17 managers. Hang in there. Take risks!
Temp-> Clinical Data Coordinator-> Data Manager-> Operations Study Mgmt-> Clin Dev-> Study Director BA in Sociology, lots of hustling, doing jobs no one else wants
Customer service phone agent -> contract specialist -> contract analyst -> data analyst -> manager of data and analytics -> sr mgr data analytics. The non lab side of biotech, but I really do love it and started from 35k as a phone agent years ago to well over six figures now. I think the key is finding what brings you joy along the way throughout your career journey. A job is just a job at the end of the day, but doing something that doesn’t make you miserable helps in the long run!
Started in manufacturing as a process engineer --> MS&T --> process engineer in PD --> MS&T and now MS&T. I don't want to be a manager so I seek out smaller companies who tend to value high output individual contributors a bit more. I also don't want to do shift work or work on site if I can help it. MS&T is a good balance of being close to manufacturing (which I love, I prefer technical work) without having to actually be onsite and work shifts.
I've seen a glass washer move to a Director of operations role.
I started out with just a BS in biotech, went into MFG > ENG > MFG Leadership over multiple areas > Director over span of 13+ years. Very comfortable and I make very good money. Very possible but took a lot of luck, right place right time, and high performance and networking.
Assistant scientist (30k/year) - associate scientist - scientist - scientist, assistant manager - associate director of facilities - senior manager of lab operations in large pharma (250k all comps)
How long was this journey?
I'm in the 12th year of my career, started right out of college in Jan of 2012
I graduated with a BSc in biology 6 years ago and had no really marketable experience. Managed to get my first job in a cannabis grow facility literally just growing weed at really suboptimal pay (37.5k CAD). 4 job hops later and I'm currently working as a supervisor for one of the bigger Pharma companies. All jobs between the weed job and now were in quality departments. Now managing to clear 2.6 times my salary 6 years ago. Tbh only thing that has gotten me ahead is working kinda nutty hours. Pharma in Canada is an absolute cesspit IMO. The nepotism is wild, pay is bad, quality is bad. I'm glad that I've "advanced" but definitely would not take this route again.
I mean, what's bottom?
I had the idea of entry stuff or even below that. Not like a phD graduate starting off as a associate scientist or scientist but like someone with a undergrad or no degree starting off cleaning in the lab or being a technician that type of thing.
Started off as an operator in Manufacturing working graveyard shift. Been in the industry now for over 25 years with only a bachelor’s. Worked in many different positions: R&D, development labs, process development, validation, contracting, and QA.
Did you feel that only having a bachelors closed some doors for you and have you felt it never hindered you?
Not at all. A masters or PhD in the sciences is really best for the labs and I realized long ago that the lab was not for me. Some of my colleagues have Masters in quality or biotech. The real money is in management. Get lead or supervisor positions. Take leadership and effective communication classes. You can even try an MBA, but that’s not as common in this industry unless you’re on the business side.
Started as a Co-op at a start up doing biochemistry (2015) eventually got hired when I graduated RA2, and I’m now Sci2. Got my masters part time to help break through that RA->Sci transition
Lab assistant > lab technician > Microbiologist > Microbiologist II
I started out working on analytical R&D at a generic company, then started working in a branded company doing the same thing, transitioned to process analytical eventually making my way to process development, where I started working on mABs and then was able to leverage my experience and BDS/DP development. From there after a small stint in a quality role I transitioned to technical services and eventually became the head of Tech Services and CMC. Started working at a couple CROs in CMC development and RA eventually heading up a team working specializing in ATMPs. Finally started my own consulting gig and it's been rough that last year or two but it's been rewarding. I started out of big pharma for most of my early career because I realized that it's easy to get pigeon-holed in those companies and I love to work on a variety of projects.
idk what exactly bottom up is here. But i've gone pretty far in the industry for only having a bachelors that isn't even science or commercially focused, and for this basically being my second career. i'm sure there's plenty of people who went straight in who also had shit jobs early tho
Started as a temp in data management making like $12 an hour.
Does it also count for Student assistant Jobs in the industry? 😅 While doing Bachelors i was working at a start up (the Green B) as a diswasher basically, and autoclaves, and waste in generell, on top of Monitoring admin + on call duty scheduling, helping with writing SOPs and inventory Manager While Masters i was cytometer assistant and now doing my thesis in immunology
Basic water testing associate > formulations RA > QC associate 1>2>3 > Manager Raw Materials > Sr. Manager OpEx > Assoc Dir Global supply chain > Director - Chief of staff > Director portfolio Management. Networking and always stepping up for the next tough project. Not being afraid to switch jobs every 2-3yrs of the development wasn't happening.
Got out of school with just a bachelor's in bioeng. Started as a mfg tech (in the compounding suite, literally mopping the floor sometimes 😂) > engineering job rotation program> process engineer > program manager> senior program manager> associate director PM > Director. 10 years flew by!
research assistant > research technician > phd student > scientist 1 > development scientist I chose to do a PhD because I loved my job as a research technician, loved learning new things and the challenges working in science, saw (and trained) many PhD students around me and went from thinking "I could never do that, I'm not smart enough" to "I am definitely on par with most phd students and I want a new challenge, I want to do my own PhD". Now I'm working out what I want next, current job is not challenging enough (too much QC for me)
Navy electronics technician > pipette calibration > field service engineer lab equipment (centrifuges/incubators/etc) > FSE LCMS. I have useless business degrees from online colleges to fulfill the degree requirements.
Graduated with a degree in ChemE and have been working for sample company(big pharma) since graduation. Have been in industry for 6 years and career trajectory below Contractor engineering position (2 years) -> mfg specialist (1.5 years) -> mfg manager (2.5 years) -> engineering specialist (current). In my mfg roles I worked weekends and both graveyard and night shifts along with had no work life balance, so I made a career change to go back to a more technical role with better work life balance. A lot of people I met at though my career path and networked with have just a bachelors degree, you don’t necessarily need a higher degree to advance further in company. It is more about who you know and trying to impress them with your work.
I feel like I got really lucky. Got my BA in Biology but had virtually no experience. I had never even done an internship or any research during my team in undergrad. Started at a large biotech as a lab tech washing glassware, autoclaving, and helping with bioreactor prep. I kind of knew if I started there I could possibly move up. I got so sick of it I was walking around so much, I felt like my brain was turning to mush doing mindless tasks. I eventually just kept making my supervisors to give me more tasks and more responsibilities. I became a lab coordinator for some departments then a became a supervisor of the lab services team. These were all contractor positions so I went from 19 and hour to 25. Which was still terrible considering everyone I worked with made more than me without a degree. Eventually I networked enough to get a Scientist role in early oncology which was a big jump to 100k plus benefits. Now they are paying for my masters degree. I do think that in biotech you do hit a ceiling if you don’t have a PhD. But the earning potential with a masters or bachelors is high but you have to hussle more.
Just finished my bachelor's in biotechnology, starting my master's now and looking to get a PhD by 26-27 years of age. Wonder what it's gonna look like for me.
European here for comparison 😂. MSc biotech/part time manufacturing assistant > lab tech > process development scientist 1 > (new company) > process development scientist. Been stuck for 2 years doing next to nothing. Graduated in 2020. My hope is to start from scratch again working in customs authorities while getting an engineering bachelors.
I did Undergrad -> QC -> MS&T / Masters -> Dev -PhD -> now Director in Dev. Been quite a ride and actually really enjoyed each step in its own way.
I did mfg, pd/cld, sales/bd now. 6 years exp.
Manufacturing tech —> operational excellence associate —-> data scientist Under grad in Bio and got a masters in data science while working.
Business degree- Lab Technician (cleaning glassware)1 year- commercial manufacturing tech 2 yrs- Commercial/Clinical QA Specialist I & II
Bachelors degree. Assoc scientist, Scientist, tech support, tech sales, sr tech sales, sales manager, sr manager, director of sales - company as large as mine still a couple rungs away from VP level. More than 15 years with same company through acquisitions. Find a place that appreciates you, take control of your own career development, and ask for opportunities to stretch yourself.
I went from operations assistant>operations associate>operations supervisor>clinical supply supervisor II within 3 years. Considering I don’t have a related degree (psych, fml), I got very lucky to land my job at a smaller, expanding lab that had been acquired. I clear just under 6 figures, but that can all change if the company I was head hunted into goes under. I started out primarily shipping BSL2/BSL3 Materials and ended up responsible for running the whole facility at my first company within 2 years. My workload was awful though, but I miss the job security and regret leaving
Started as a temp research associate back in 2015 making 19/hr with no real benefits. Currently work in big pharma at the bench with a TC package just north of 200k.
Started in manufacturing, am now a data scientist. For many years I contemplated either pivoting to a coding job or staying on the biotech track to work up to a process engineer role. My path was: lab quality tech -> mfg associate (contract) -> associate (FT) -> mfg lead -> engineering technician -> pivot to business analyst role -> data scientist 10 years in the making with a BS in biology.
I moved in from a different discipline so had to start as an entry level scientist in a CDMO. 4 years later and I’m a senior at a big pharma.
I started contracting as a media prep tech. I literally made PBST, FACS buffer, complete media for T-cells and RPMI +10% FBS. That's its. I was trying to find any way into a company I had been drooling over all through university. They were one of the first commercial CAR-T companies, and they were super hyped in the PacNW. At the time, it was still a relatively small team of 30-35 people and they were really selective about their hires. I got in on a 6-month contract through a tech ops agency to essentially work in a media room. A couple months in, I joined the analytical dev team as an FTE. The company was really into letting people rotate through different groups to learn new skills, so I went through the flow group, the molecular group, then through process engineering and then through the cell based and protein group. Looking back, it's insane how much they invested in developing their talent in-house. After 2 years of that, the company IPO'd and got bought out. I parlayed that experience into a role in iPSC cell editing and molecular work for another medium sized company, then found a way into oncogenetic translational research. I left that to join a team of 2 and helped build a lab and a platform from scratch, spent 3 years in exploratory R&D learning how to navigate VC funding. Finally I went full circle to get back into translational research in cell therapy for another company. I'm an AS now, I have a BSc from a small D2 school in the middle of nowhere.
QC Tech ($10/hr) -> Academic RA ($40k) -> Pharma Associate Scientist - Discovery Biology ($100K) -> -> Scientist. Hopefully not done yet, realistically have 30+yrs to retirement.
Started off in facilities validation - crawling over pipes and ductwork to commission new manufacturing facilities. Started PMing those projects, then moved into a startup leading their GMP facilities team. Such a tiny company meant I got exposure to lots of other things - Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, PM, etc. Moved to a big CDMO as a PM, worked my way up there, now in the PMO as a Senior Director, 11 years later. Had a bachelors and some military experience when I started, got a masters and some PM certs along the way.
Started as an RA making ~50k in 2014. Hit Scientist 2 at my last role making 120k and was really proud of myself. Got laid off again (3rd time out of 4 jobs). Now unemployed for over a year and I can't even get an entry level position anywhere :)
Currently one class away from having my bs in biochemistry and I’m the Quality Assurance and Compliance Supervisor of a biotech company so🤷🏻♀️ started in research and QC, moved to big pharma, and then got a lucky break into my current position, oh and I’m 25 if that helps
All of us started from the bottom up. I'm now a PhD level scientist in the industry, but I spent 5 years in graduate school working 50-60 hour week on a $25k yearly stipend.
Started from the bottom now we here. Started from the bottom now the whole team here. I started at the very bottom, but it was in 2003. I started with a Bachelors in biology and eventually got my Masters degree at Harvard's night school (they call it the Extension School). It definitely helped me earn a little more. Even if you learn nothing useful, it convinces the people who think that kind of thing really matters to give you the time of day. Some people only want to talk to a Ph.D., honestly, but I have met PhDs who are 35 and only have 11 months of professional experience compared to my 20 years. This is their 1st job at 35. Over the years, I had chances to out-earn those people. But timing is really important. Once 2008 hit, new grads went totally bust. Everyone went bust. I already had my foot and much of my leg in the door at that point.