is it possible to change industries?

medtech_expat · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by Milpool

This is the exact problem I have with interviewers. They either don't believe I want out or don't believe I'm capable of doing something else.

Why is that so hard to believe?

Changing industries is definitely possible, all the more so if they're somewhat related and/or complementary. I've gone from information technology to medical devices to pharma devices & diagnostics. As with most things in life, you need a proper narrative so that your prospective employer actually perceives your previous experience as making you uniquely valuable.

On a related note, simultaneously changing your functional role in a different industry is more difficult, while doing both and changing geographies is harder yet. A person's likelihood to excel in the new role is typically inversely proportional to the degrees of separation away from his/her core competencies (although the rewards may make the risks worthwhile). YMMV.

Milpool · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by alliswell

Please make your case as articulately as you can to us here. Wanting to change is nice, but there has to be a more compelling reason.

I wanted to be a statistics code monkey for pharma/clinical trials type stuff. I made one very incredibly stupid mistake when I was young: I applied for, was offered and accepted an internship on the device side and this is where I've been stuck for the rest of my life. It turns out I don't like what I do, nor do I like the industry.

gdl203 · Mar 31, 2011

Try that again without using that many negatives or the verb "stuck"

globetrotter · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by Milpool

I wanted to be a statistics code monkey for pharma/clinical trials type stuff. I made one very incredibly stupid mistake when I was young: I applied for, was offered and accepted an internship on the device side and this is where I've been stuck for the rest of my life. It turns out I don't like what I do, nor do I like the industry.

oh, yeah, you are screwed. sorry. do you have any fun hobbies?

Milpool · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by gdl203

Try that again without using that many negatives or the verb "stuck"

I'm a statistician by training. Against my better judgment I took an internship in med device. I'm quite handy with electronics and optics, so I am on the physics side as I'm not an engineer. I've tried several times in my career to switch over to statistics in various industries, but no one seems to believe I can make the switch.

imageWIS · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by Texasmade

Changing industries is definately possible. Changing job functions might be harder.

Perfectly stated.

gdl203 · Mar 31, 2011

This still sounds quite negative and does not make you an attractive candidate. If you want to pitch yourself for a different job, you need to articulate (a) that you've had a good experience where you are now, acquired a number of useful skills (relevant to this new job) and that you're ready for a different challenge, (b) what attracts you about that other job (do you have friends, acquaintances that have that job, do you understand it well), (c) why you are qualified for it (beyond academic background), (d) that you're committed to change path (not that you're kicking tire and checking if there's a chance you may change course), and (e) why you're a good fit for the particular position/company/group you're talking to.

Milpool · Mar 31, 2011

I'm not negative, I'm disgruntled and bitter.

Hombre Secreto · Mar 31, 2011

Of course it's possible to change industries, but goddamn having start from scratch again... must be a pain **********.

You mentioned medical, so I would look for something in that field. Good luck.

DerekS · Mar 31, 2011

the possibility depends entirely upon youre skills. if youre a jackoff, no...youre lucky to even have a job.

Milpool · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by gdl203

This still sounds quite negative and does not make you an attractive candidate. If you want to pitch yourself for a different job, you need to articulate (a) that you've had a good experience where you are now, acquired a number of useful skills (relevant to this new job) and that you're ready for a different challenge, (b) what attracts you about that other job (do you have friends, acquaintances that have that job, do you understand it well), (c) why you are qualified for it (beyond academic background), (d) that you're committed to change path (not that you're kicking tire and checking if there's a chance you may change course), and (e) why you're a good fit for the particular position/company/group you're talking to.

As much as I enjoy spectrum analysis, FFT, Monte Carlo, etc for med devices, my real passion lies in statistics. There is something so fascinating about a k-means cluster analysis or a well designed randomized experiment.

I have come to realize that I truly miss statistics and would like to make the transition back to a career as a statistician.

clee1982 · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by Milpool

As much as I enjoy spectrum analysis, FFT, Monte Carlo, etc for med devices, my real passion lies in statistics. There is something so fascinating about a k-means cluster analysis or a well designed randomized experiment.

I have come to realize that I truly miss statistics and would like to make the transition back to a career as a statistician.

Are you phd, master or undergard?

Milpool · Mar 31, 2011

Originally Posted by clee1982

Are you phd, master or undergard?

bs, mba

alliswell · Mar 31, 2011

How old are you? (I know, there's anti-discrimination laws).

medtech_expat · Mar 31, 2011

Not to state the obvious, but have you already reached out to other device companies in order to move into clinicals? This is one of the functional areas which always seemed to be hiring at my companies - through RIFs, headcount freezes, etc.

If you haven't already done so, I strongly suggest to first nail down your "story," using gdl's points as a guideline.

is it possible to change industries?

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Purveyor of the Secret Sauce

Stylish Dinosaur

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Purveyor of the Secret Sauce

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Guyliner

Senior Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: