Want a career in patient engagement? Start here.

As exams wrap up and graduation season approaches, the time is ripe for sharing tips for those hoping to enter a career in patient engagement.

Last month, I was kindly invited in my independent capacity by pharmaceutical physician Liz Clark to speak to a cohort of Master's students at King's College London about careers in patient engagement.

The session covered the landscape of the field – the sectors, the specialisms, the roles – and practical steps for breaking in. In the spirit of the ISPEP community, the slides containing this information are now available publicly via the carousel below.

A few 'top tips' were also shared in this presentation:

1. Create your own opportunities – put yourself out there, define the 'win-win' – and if you're at university or building a portfolio in your spare time, make the most of the safety net to experiment and develop your skills in that bubble.

   
   

2. It's unlikely your first job will be your dream job. Treat it as an investment period – build transferable skills/knowledge, mentorship connections, and financial stability while you keep an eye out for roles that may better fulfil your interests.

   
   

3. Communication skills and strong working relationships are non-negotiable – no matter how intelligent or well-qualified you are. This doesn't mean you have to be extroverted – you can have your own style; just don't underestimate how much developing these strengths, in whatever way works for you, can shape your career.

Students and early career professionals – it's amazing to see you already learning about patient engagement when most in this field hadn't even heard of it until well into their working lives. There has never been a generation like you before; a generation equipped to shape your career in medical communications, pharma, or elsewhere in the industry with patient-focused practice from the ground up. Make the most of that momentum to enter this world with a bang and show us what you can do!

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