What do you like most about working as Medical Science Liaison?

What do you like most about working as Medical Science Liaison?

This is a question that many friends and LinkedIn contacts ask me by curiosity or when they are considering transition from academy to MSL positions.

Briefly, I would point 3 things that I like most being an MSL:

1.It is scientifically challenging

To be an MSL means you have to be a scientific expert of your therapeutic area, in my case oncology. That means constant studying, researching literature, attending conferences and everything else you can do to keep informed of the newest data related to your therapeutic area.

It is very challenging not just to take all the information in, but especially to make connections on what is clinically relevant for your peers. This challenge really attracts me as a scientist.

2. It is a very dynamic job

It is true that being an MSL involves lots of travelling. But it is not the only dynamic part of it. As an MSL, you have to connect with many different people, from external clinicians to internal teams, as marketing, sales, regulatory and clinical research. That means you need to be an excellent communicator (don't forgetting about active listening), negotiator and have a good understanding of how your job affects other areas of the business. These are skills that I find amazing to keep improving in my daily activities.

3. It has a purpose

Finally, I am really passionate about being an MSL because I see a real purpose on it. Having deep interactions with health care professionals, I am able to contribute to keep them up-to-date on the relevant scientific data. In the end, that will impact in patients lives in many different ways.

I would really like to hear other colleagues' motivations and ideas on this topic!