| Getting into any industry may prove a difficult task | | | | in actual projects together with talented researchers |
| at a time when unemployment is on the rise, but the | | | | starting from day one," said Michael Pedersen, head |
| pharmaceutical industry offers numerous different | | | | of Roskilde's department of science, systems and |
| paths that could attract all kinds of people. The | | | | models. |
| scope of careers in the sector is possibly one of the | | | | Ms Holborough also advocated postgraduate degrees |
| major draws to it, but what is the best way to a | | | | as being particularly valuable to those looking to get |
| career in the pharmaceutical industry? | | | | into pharmaceutical research and development as |
| Well, it probably depends on what part of the | | | | they help improve knowledge of the subject and |
| industry the applicant wants to get involved in. | | | | develop research skills. |
| Margaret Holbrough, careers consultant at Graduate | | | | Some major pharmaceutical companies offer |
| Prospects, said that the main route into the research | | | | graduate training schemes, which are even more |
| and development side of pharmaceuticals is through a | | | | competitive at the current time when the graduate |
| science degree, usually biological sciences, chemistry | | | | market is contracting, the careers adviser noted. |
| or a combination of the two. Maths and IT degrees | | | | "They will be looking for a combination of excellent |
| are also relevant to some jobs in this area, Ms | | | | academic achievement and strong transferable skills," |
| Holbrough noted. | | | | she said. |
| A degree may be a requirement for a number of | | | | "Any graduates who have secured some work |
| entry-level positions in many pharmaceutical | | | | experience whilst studying will be in a better position |
| organisations and the place of study could have a | | | | to secure what work is available if they have the |
| significant impact on applicants' chances of breaking | | | | other skills required," Ms Holborough continued. |
| into the industry. This was perhaps emphasised by a | | | | Manufacturing roles also offer more opportunities in |
| recent study from Denmark's Roskilde University, | | | | the pharmaceutical sector and these rely on scientists |
| which indicated that master's degree students at the | | | | as well as engineers, other specialist staff and |
| institution's natural sciences programmes have a good | | | | commercial roles such as finance or marketing, Ms |
| chance at getting a job in their chosen field once | | | | Holborough concluded. |
| they have graduated. The Roskilde University's | | | | But what about being content with working in |
| Master's Degree Study showed that more than a | | | | pharmaceuticals? According to the Association of the |
| quarter of people graduating from the educational | | | | British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), those looking |
| establishment with a master's in the natural sciences | | | | to enter the industry should start by asking |
| start their scientific careers as a PhD fellow. Those | | | | themselves what they most enjoy. While there is a |
| who do not move on to a PhD programme are | | | | clear link between pharmaceuticals and science, some |
| usually employed in the pharmaceutical industry or in | | | | may not have any interest in physics, chemistry or |
| the education system, the study revealed. | | | | biology, the ABPI noted. The wide range of options in |
| "We are more than satisfied with the result. It clearly | | | | the sector means that those looking for a position in |
| shows that our natural science programmes prepare | | | | pharmaceuticals can think in terms of what they |
| students for a demanding job. We believe that the | | | | want to do rather than in what ways they should |
| crucial element in this success is our teaching | | | | mould themselves to fit into certain roles, the |
| methods that give students the chance to take part | | | | organisation explained. |