To ask for career advice: a job for a quiet Biology graduate

[thewritersjob]

I have a BSc and MSc in Biomedicine and currently work as a medical copywriter. I enjoy the actual work, but struggle with the presentations and client interaction. I'm not confident and outgoing enough for it. I've tried and tried but it just goes against my nature. I spend most days anxiously over-preparing for meetings and most evenings catching up on actual work.

I want to do something similar but not in a busy agency, something a little quieter.

Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

I also don't like lab work which rules out a lot

Would a different role within medical communications be feasible? Or going freelance so you are just doing the writing but not the client interaction?

How about medical writing at a biotech/ big pharma?

Some of the larger agencies (such as Ashfield Health) accommodate writers that do not want client contact.

Quality and regulatory in an IVD manufacturer?

You can have a very good career as a medical writer without any client contact. Look at agencies more focused on publications. In my last job we had lots of writers who did very little client contact as they preferred just to write.

can you do coding / computer programming? If not, can you learn?

what about the graphics side - illustrating data & making beautiful plots?

Regulatory affairs

I was going to suggest coding too, the govt currently are finding skills bootcamps in that area, might be worth exploring. Try doing some courses on freecodecamp or similar to see if it's something you enjoy?

Clinical scientists esp in genetics roles are not lab based. They spend 99.9% time desk based using analysis software.
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/study-and-training/graduate-training-opportunities/nhs-scientist-training-programme

Medical or science writing/editing. Publishing world crying out for scientists who can write/know what good writing looks like.

Bioinformatics is a huge growing field too

Thank you everyone!

How would I find an agency where I wouldn't have to interact with clients? Are there any in particular anyone knows of (I'll research Ashfield Health). I've only ever worked in one agency so I don't really know what's out there

I like the idea of working in regulatory affairs, it's an area that I find interesting

I'm not really into coding which is a shame as I know it's a good area to get into

How would I find an agency where I wouldn't have to interact with clients?

I would probably speak to one of the specialist recruiters in the area. They know the scope and culture of all the agencies, and would approach them on your behalf setting out your preferences so you wouldn't have to have an awkward conversation at interview. Recruiters advertise on all sites where you find medical writing jobs. I've used "ID Search and Selection" before, but there are others.

Whilst you’re looking for a job that means you don’t have to present, would it be worth seeing an acting/voice coach to help with the worst of the nerves & perhaps create a presentation persona?

Are you on LinkedIn? I'm a medical writer and recruiters contact me daily trying to poach me. This is something you could discuss with one of them?

Google medcomms networking. There is a site for the medcomms community. All the big companies and recruiters are linked on there.

I'm not on LinkedIn but have been meaning to make a profile

I did approach a recruiter before I got my first job in med comms but had no response, but I think it will be worth trying again. Is it free to ask recruiters for this kind of advice?

Grant writing
Patents

Yeah it's free - once you join LinkedIn and add some people to your network recruiters will start adding you and messaging you. You can also add them and message them for free. They are crying out for people in your role

Just thought I'd bump this to see if anyone else has any ideas/advice, my Sunday night blues have already begun and I know I need to really prioritise finding another job

My cousin has a BSc and MSc in Biology and works in the NHS as a Clinical Cytogeneticist. She's very timid and quiet, but enjoys her work which she finds has meaning.