Nurturing My Career Evolution and Finding My Fit at Real Chemistry
Taking the Leap: Finding My Ideal Role
When joining 21GRAMS, part of Real Chemistry, back in March 2021 – I was incredibly excited to enter the next chapter of my career, focusing my energy into the world of Medical Communications. I had gotten my degree in Biomedical Sciences back in 2018, and after a couple of years post-grad working in technology sales, I decided to re-connect with the world of life sciences and healthcare.
Around that time, the COVID-19 lockdown began to ease around the globe. Symbolically, I saw it as a sign that the time was right for me to make a career change. I decided to step sideways into a sector that I could envision myself in for the long-term. Looking back on the past 2+ years, I can confidently say it was a decision I have never regretted. I have grown professionally and evolved as an account manager, fueled by my passion for the work I do and the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded individuals.
Returning to the healthcare field meant a lot to me – one of my deciding factors in transitioning into this industry and reconnecting with my field of study was the tangible contribution I could make in improving public health. Throughout the interview process, it was clear to me that my own values and desire to make an impact were shared by the various team members I spoke to. When the offer from Real Chemistry landed in my inbox, I couldn't have been more eager to get started!
Continuing to Grow and Investing in My Development
My #LifeatRealChem has been a rewarding journey since day one. I have been able to follow my interests and passion on the projects and accounts I work on. Furthermore, I have been able to take ownership in shaping my career, which is crucially important in being able to achieve longevity with the work I’m doing, as well as with my manager, teammates and employer.
I am so appreciative of my manager who has advocated on my behalf to put me on new accounts following new business wins that match my passion. Her understanding of my personality and likes and dislikes and her unerring belief in me has lifted me up as I have advanced in my career at Real Chemistry. It's one thing to represent yourself in a work environment, but having a manager who is truly willing to put the work in to represent you as well is something I have extreme gratitude to have here.
The culture of healthy feedback that Real Chemistry encourages has been essential in helping me define my role. The company emphasizes personality within the hiring process, thereby cultivating an environment where employees feel they can be candid with one another, especially with senior leaders, and have constructive conversations with mutual understanding. The teams I work with strive to ensure we’re providing feedback to each other to ensure we can empower ourselves and stay on track both work-wise and personally.
The feedback from my teams and the support of my manager have been the most important factors in helping me develop into a much more confident person in the workplace and pushed me to continue exploring my current interests as well as new interests. I have found there is a definite “human touch” to all aspects of life at Real Chemistry that truly allows people to keep their horizons broad and grow as individuals.
It genuinely feels that the energy I put into my work comes back to me in the resources invested in my growth.
While my team has been incredibly supportive of my career growth and has allowed me to express my preferences for future projects, I have invested significant effort in developing the necessary skills to shape my career. When I first started in Med Comms, I quickly realized the importance of being organized and methodical. Before then, I had never considered myself particularly precise or organized, but my work in this field has shown me that I can learn these skills on the job. When joining the team as a Senior Account Associate, I initially focused on supporting activities such as managing project timelines, creating project trackers and developing materials, all of which require attention to detail. By taking ownership of those tasks, I not only saw a positive improvement in the quality of my work but also gained confidence and credibility now working as an Account Manager.
Diversifying and Nurturing Growth Through Feedback
My initial accounts played a crucial role in providing me with an intensive crash course and a comprehensive understanding of the Med Comms function. Specifically, working on oncology projects, including breast and haematologic cancers, allowed me to dive headfirst into the field and experience the essence of what it is we do. Within my first few months, I prepared for and executed a large-scale global virtual meeting, which drew 60 to 70 experts together to discuss advancements in blood cancer treatment. I remember feeling amazed that I had been part of a team that had organized this important and valuable meeting – and had done so relatively quickly! For me, that was certainly one of the first moments in this role where I felt “Okay, this is definitely my kind of thing.”
Because I have always had a flair for the creative, I have been able to lead creative and advertising-based projects within my accounts, which guided me to new accounts and opportunities over time. This shift in focus helped me expand my skills and gain a broader appreciation of the breadth of Real Chemistry’s offerings to clients.
Reflecting on my time at Real Chemistry so far, I am grateful to my colleagues who have helped me realize my career goals and uncover passions I didn’t even know I had. I have successfully launched my career in healthcare, thanks to the company investing in my growth. I am incredibly thankful for that and look forward to seeing how my next chapter at Real Chemistry evolves!
