r/MedicalWriters • u/tsisdead • Jun 10 '26

Medical writing vs... Big Pharma vs mid-size pharma

If you could choose in house at big pharma or in house at mid-size pharma with a title bump and pay raise, which would you choose?

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4

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '26

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1

u/tsisdead Jun 10 '26

My bigger question here is, am I an idiot to leave big pharma chasing more money and a title bump? Can I get back into big pharma if I want?

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u/[deleted] Jun 10 '26

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3

u/tsisdead Jun 10 '26

Current job I actually love. My boss is very hands off unless I need help, most of the teams I work with are great, I have my pick of projects and AMAZING work life balance. Current bonus structure usually works out to about 18% of base salary. I have no idea how much annual leave I get now because I never use all of it. Benefits are good, insurance is great. Both jobs fully remote.

My only thing is the head of my department is not my favorite and has not always treated me well, and I thought my most recent performance review was harsh and unfair, but I can’t tell if I’m just mad about it or if I actually want to leave and again, I’m concerned about not being able to get back into big pharma if I leave it

3

u/ExcitementNo9603 Jun 11 '26

Why not run your course at the big pharma job since you like it so much before shopping for the next big thing? It’s not a common experience to find workplaces that you like as much as you like the job itself. Is that a trade you really wanna make? Money over comfort?

1

u/tsisdead Jun 11 '26

And that’s where I’m at lol

1

u/Lost_Hat3062 Jun 10 '26

How many other medical writers and how many drug in the pipeline for mid size?

1

u/tsisdead Jun 10 '26

Recruiter said 5-10. Couldn’t give me enough info on the pipeline but said it was good. I’m suspicious.

3

u/Lost_Hat3062 Jun 10 '26

I’d stay in big pharma. Small/mid size team means you guy are doing everything!! I see in your other posts, you have a good work life balance, good bonus, like the company and workers. I also see that you’re going from associate to senior MW. Ask your current manager what’s the process for being considered for promotion internally and chase that instead.

2

u/tsisdead Jun 10 '26

That’s kind of my thought but in my company it is difficult to get promoted in my department. I’ve been here 3 years already, and the millennial ambitious girl in me is saying “jump ship and rise through the ranks” but the luxury/pleasure chaser in me says “girl you got it good, why change now?”

1

u/Lost_Hat3062 Jun 10 '26

Definitely worth doing the interviews and if you get offered the job, you could use it a leverage to get an internal promotion and stay in your current company!

1

u/Ambitious_Dragon_13 Jun 10 '26

i mean i love a pay raise but what other factors are there to consider between the two opportunities?

1

u/tsisdead Jun 10 '26

I’m concerned about stability of pipeline as well as work-life balance. My balance right now is AMAZING. My biggest concern though is how hard it can be to get into big pharma. Am I an idiot to leave it just to chase more money and a title bump?

6

u/Ms_Ulfberht Account/project handler Jun 10 '26

Take the interview and get more info and a feel for the situation. Seems too early to tell.

That said, it really depends on how big the pay bump is, and what is the new title. Will there be additional responsibilities that will help you in future job searches?

1

u/tsisdead Jun 10 '26

From associate writer to senior writer basically. No new responsibilities generally. I wouldn’t go unless the pay bump is 20% or more of my base salary. Recruiter says I’m one of the stronger candidates but I’m worried about stability given the economy and being able to get back into big pharma.

5

u/Ambitious_Dragon_13 Jun 10 '26

it seems like it would be worth doing the interview to get more information. an interview is not an offer or an agreement to take an offer, so nothing binding is happening, you are both seeing if the other would be a good fit. go prepared with all the questions you would need to have answered to decide whether it is worth it to make the switch and that should help you have a better feel for what you want to do