Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Brad,
Your welcome. Be sure to call me when you're a gazillionaire.
-Tom

Bradly Brown ⋅ Scottsdale, AZ U.S. Marine Corps, Staff Sergeant ⋅ 5 years served

Hey Tom,

Thanks for the advice! A lot of great tools there I didn't even know about. Besides the little experience we have and a friend who is a supplier for Metronic and Smith and Nephew, we are starting from scratch. You gave us a lot to chew on. Thanks again!

-Brad

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

The application deadline for the Medical Technology Veterans Program is Aug. 2, 2013. The program is a year long mentoring program that benefits military veterans transitioning to the civilian work force by preparing them for careers in the medical technology industry.

http://mvp.mentoringportal.org/site/mvp_2013/

Gia Freireich ⋅ New York, NY Bloomberg ⋅ 5 years experience

Hi Brad!

I know a couple of people who broke into pharma/medical sales by doing contract or temp work at firms such as InVentiv and PDA.

This was quite awhile back, but wanted to chime in in case it helps.

Good luck!!
Gia

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

also consider applying for admission to the 2013 MVP Boot Camp:
http://mvp.mentoringportal.org/site/mvp_2013/

About the 2013 MVP Boot Camp
A training session for the Medical Technology Veterans Program (MVP) will be held Sept 22-24 in Washington, D.C. The year long mentoring program benefits military veterans transitioning to the civilian work force by preparing them for careers in the medical technology industry."

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco, CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Brad,
A few suggestions. Use what is helpful.

* I saw a message regarding a mentoring program for Veterans in Medical Technology posted on ACP's LinkedIn group. It looks like the program has positive potential.

Medical Technology Veterans Program
http://www.medtechvets.org/

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?home=&gid=2030685&trk=anet_ug_hm&goback=%2Egmr_2030685

* Utilize the ACP Advisor Plus directory to find advisors with expertise such as "Medical", "Sales", etc.
(I saw 2 individual with "Sales" expertise at "medical" firms.)

https://acp-advisornet.org/directory?sort=&dir=&c=&e=114&s=

https://acp-advisornet.org/directory?sort=&dir=&c=&e=72&s=

* Several firms that sell or purchase medical related products are ACP mentoring partners. Perhaps request from ACP a mentor at one of these firms. (e.g. Bristol-Myers Squib, Johnson & Johnson, General Electric, Memorial-Sloan Kettering, Partners Healthcare, etc.)
http://www.acp-usa.org/Mentoring_Program

* Reach out to and join local and LinkedIn professional industry groups and request advice, mentoring and networking assistance:
e.g.
http://www.medicalsalescareer.com/
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Medical-Device-Sales-Professionals-47802/about

* Utilize the career centers, alumni-network and alumni clubs of your alma-maters.

* Make it easy for anyone that wants to learn more about you. Post a URL to your LinkedIn profile on your ACP profile page (and perhaps also a URL to your resume in PDF format).

* Also see articles from the web
http://www.jobshadow.com/an-interview-with-a-medical-device-salesman/
http://www.globaledgerecruiting.com/specialties/medical-devices/

https://www.google.com/search?q=guidance+to+getting+started+in+medical+sales
(be cautious of sites trying to sell you something)

* Please keep us informed, provide feedback and let is know what works.