How To Start Building for a Successful Career in the Life Science Industry

The Life Science sector has been recognised as one of the most important industries for the future growth of the UK’s economy. And it’s not just the UK that is benefitting – in the US, the sector was worth USD 10.85 billion in 2024 and is expected to be worth around USD 28.66 billion by 2034. It’s an industry that offers a vast field of study for the understanding of human life, diseases, and the welfare of other living things.

Life sciences can be an incredibly rewarding and fulfilling career for the right professional. There are a variety of career options in this sector as it covers a wide range of roles across multiple disciplines – and there’s always room for growth and development.

If you are looking to build a successful career in the Life Science industry, then this blog will provide you with some tips to help you, and help the industry continue its upward trajectory. 

Focus on a Particular Discipline

As is the case in many industries, it’s beneficial to develop a speciality in life sciences as this can potentially make you more marketable. With so much competition and demand for roles, professionals must identify their interests and passions, whether that’s Biotech, Medical Devices, or Pharmaceuticals. Once you pick a sector you are passionate about, you can also choose a sub-sector and specialise further – the possibilities are endless.

While there are so many different roles, it’s important to understand your capabilities and preferences, to identify which job suits you the best. For example, a Quality Engineer requires very specific skills. At Orion, we’ve placed many quality engineer individuals at leading pharmaceuticals companies. They have emphasised the importance of having a level of creativity in problem-solving, as a lot of issues are complex and require outside-the-box thinking.

Having multiple soft skills attained throughout life also play a crucial role when it comes to securing roles and developing your expertise. For quality engineers, teamwork, creativity and being open to other people’s opinions can be extremely beneficial.

Choose Between Contracting or Permanent

When it comes to successfully building a career in life sciences, professionals need to decide whether they’ll take on a permanent role or a contract position. Both routes have different advantages and will suit individuals depending on their personal circumstance or work/life balance. Speaking to many of our placed candidates, some believe that by working as a contractor, it’s easier to be bolder in considering job opportunities. However, others say there is a minimal difference between being a contractor and a permanent employee, and claim that while contracting isn’t a long-term commitment upfront, it’s a great way to gain experience. Whereas a permanent role should give individuals more security and routine.

Working as a contractor can also give you more access to developing interests in many different fields. Whether or not you choose to take a permanent and contract role, it’s a vital step in building a successful career in life sciences.

Start Networking

Connections are essential to a successful career. These fellow professionals can be mentors, colleagues, graduates and past employers. A successful career is largely dependent on the pool of people in your network, along with the ideas and information you've learnt in the past. That’s why networking is crucial for opening new opportunities.

One of the best ways to build connections is, of course, through LinkedIn, but attending life science networking events, such as tradeshows, conferences and exhibitions, is equally as important. It gives you the chance to meet people in person who are possibly further ahead in the industry, and able to provide advice and guidance. 

Gain Relevant Experience

Participating in internships, work placements, or voluntary work during or after your studies can help to develop laboratory skills and industry familiarity. Entry-level technician roles or modern apprenticeships are available and can provide a route into the sector, especially if you do not have the suitable academic qualifications.

Take a Course

Professionals that work in the life science sector have the potential to make a difference, and education is key for gaining credentials that will help in building a successful career. There are a variety of courses and university degrees that can be beneficial for a career in life sciences.

For example, one of our candidates chose to study Medical Electronics. They saw it as an innovative field that would suit their engineering mind and later further their interest in the medical sector. They were subsequently drawn to a career in life science and they gained much of their project management skills during further education. This shows the importance of education to develop new interests and to help build the foundation for success later.

Build Your Online Profile

Building a strong online profile is crucial for career success. Whether you’re seeking a role as a Validation Engineer or a Development Scientist, you need to create a strong first impression in your business profile. This includes finding your unique selling point, which is what differentiates you from other candidates. It means you need to think about your skills, experience, goals, and long-term career aspirations. 

Our advice, would be to have a goal in mind when choosing a career path in life sciences. A good way to building your online profile is to outline your motivations for wanting to work in the sector. This could be the desire to help people and to be seen as an innovative problem-solver, so showcase your skills in this area. Also, professionals should promote themselves appropriately online, keep themselves updated on new life science trends and any developments in the industry. That way, you can position yourself as a thought-leader, which will no doubt help to advance your career.

Are You Looking for a New Role in the Life Science Industry?

At Orion, we recruit professionals for a variety of roles in the life science industry across the UK, the USA, and Europe. With key offices situated in the USA and around Europe, we have a global network which makes us well-equipped to offer the best recruitment solutions. We have an excellent team of specialist life science recruitment consultants who have significant experience in recruiting on a permanent and contract basis. We have many life science jobs available in a range of areas, including biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, clinical research, medical devices, and agriscience. At Orion, we pride ourselves on helping professionals take their careers to the next level.

Contact us today or quick send your CV to find out more information about our jobs.

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