Insights from a Medical Affairs Professional (Guest Blog - Dr John FW Ndikum)

The following article is a guest post from Dr John FW Ndikum currently working in Medical Affairs in the UK. Visit his LinkedIn profile here. It has been published unedited and is John's original work. 

I cannot say that a ‘medical affairs professional’ is what I told my parents I would be ‘when I grow up’. In fact, I did not know that it existed as a field until my studies abroad, when over drinks with a friend who was very senior in the field, he described it as an ‘amorphous evolving discipline’. He wasn’t wrong, and perhaps it was a combination of novelty as well as potential for constructive disruption (forgive the oxymoron) that appealed to me:

My journey into it began a few years ago, shortly before completing my studies at Yale. Determined to scale impact - from one-to-one patient care to the population level - I sought to equip myself with the conceptual tools through which this might one day be achieved. The opportunities on the horizon were vast, and narrowing them down proved difficult. The most obvious routes were NGOs, management consulting and the pharmaceutical industry, all of which I explored before deciding on the path on which I now find myself. Were it possible to travel back in time, I would provide the counsel below to my formerly disoriented self:

1. KNOW THYSELF

As with many professions, each pillar of the industry requires different toolkits and competencies, suited to different personalities. As someone who enjoys variety in their role, I find myself to be a good fit in a function as eclectic as medical affairs. Discussions with recruiters and friends in the field proved helpful and allowed me to refine my recruiting strategy to a field tailored to my innate temperament and strengths.

2. NEVER EAT ALONE

So goes the title of an incredibly valuable book on networking by Keith Ferrazi. I found tremendous value in speaking with recruiters, colleagues and friends about my options. These discussions, as well as shining a light on my knowledge gaps and blind spots, helped me to maintain the resolve to continue pursuing a career path more closely aligned with my personal and professional objectives.

3. FOLLOW-UP AND FOLLOW-THROUGH

I was touched by just how eager individuals in the field were to help. However, it was important to recognise just how busy these individuals are and more importantly, the value of their time. By following though with their advice and following up after successes (or setbacks!), I was able to demonstrate in a tangible way just how much their magnanimity meant.

4. DEVELOP ANTI-FRAGILITY

Breaking in was an iterative process through which I slowly understood the requirements for entry into my role. It wasn’t easy, and required me to develop ways in which to not only be resilient, but become a little bit more inured to setbacks (the ‘anti fragility’ of Nassem Taleb).

5. BE STRATEGICALLY PERSISTENT

Once antifragility became a little more robustly armoured, the automatic rejection emails stung far less. Perseverance however, required a support network inside and outside the home cheering me on and reminding me that sooner or later, things would work out. And as cheesy as a phrase shared with me today (‘rejection is redirection’) might appear, I find it to be apt in describing the iteration and course-correction required during this process.

6. PASS IT FORWARD

Be generous with your time and resources, as others are and have been with you. So many people helped me; too many in fact to count. Passing on the baton of goodwill brings me tremendous joy, especially when working with individuals who are driven to add value, keen and open to constructive feedback.

7. BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF

Many colleagues are surprised to find themselves lost at sea for several months into their first role. Gone is their previous self-conviction, assurance and seemingly indefatigable confidence borne of thousands of hours of practice. It can be incredibly disorienting particularly for senior clinicians but discussions with others reveals two things: it is an entirely normal phase and with a determination to upskill, grow and learn from others, this too shall pass.

8. BE COMFORTABLE WITH UNCERTAINTY

During the recruitment process, interviews might not go your way, despite your best efforts and most magnificent delivery; for high-achievers used to seeing their efforts consistently bear fruit, this can be difficult, if not excruciating. In-role, projects don’t always go according to plan, inviting a larger element of uncertainty to processes and outcomes than is the case on the wards; In these situations, generation of deliverables requires innovation and building of novel approaches to problems. This creative element and the agility required - particularly in medical affairs - can be jarring for professionals used to executing only in accordance with well defined protocols. Furthermore, company strategies frequently change, as do budgets, priorities and occasionally, roles and responsibilities. Those used to consistency of timelines and approaches should consider the adjustments that will be required to navigate shifting tectonic plates.

9. BUILD A SUPPORT NETWORK

At home and at work. Without the patience and persistent encouragement of my wife, close friends and well-meaning colleagues, I probably would have given up trying to break into the industry some time ago. Our support networks are our lifelines. All the more reminder to not lose sight of the final point below.

10. SMELL THE ROSES

William Henry Davies put it best in his poem ‘Leisure’, an excerpt of which is below:

“What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

….A poor life this, if full of care
We have no time to stand and stare”

I hope that this article proves useful on your journey into industry. My time in it thus far has been incredibly rewarding and satisfied both the professional and personal objectives for which I ventured into it.

May your path be filled with fulfilment and joy.

Thanks to John for his insights, advice and for contributing to the value that this blog offers. Please reach out to John if you have any questions via his LinkedIn profile or through the Joshi Life Sciences Contact Page