Finding opportunities in Biotech ER or buy-side to exit medicine
I have a long personal story on how I arrived here, but it's definitely not novel just from browsing the forums here: new doctor looking to leave medicine for finance.
I am a recently-started surgical preliminary intern (applied to a surgical subspecialty and didn't match) looking to exit medicine. I became very disenchanted with the process and, while I believe I have a strong enough application to reapply or even change specialties, the long-term upside doesn't really seem worth destroying my mental in the process. The love of medicine and patient care just don't outweigh having to endure the training process for me. To be clear, I am not afraid of working long hours and had very much accepted that I'd be putting in my ACGME-regulated "80 hours" for the next 5 to 6 years; it's just that the long-term goal doesn't seem worth it anymore (culture, industry trends, opportunity cost), especially starting residency at 30.
I got the idea of looking into biotech equity research and biotech-focused hedge funds from family working in finance as a potential pivot to leverage my educational background (ivy league undergrad, meh med school) and my research resume for recruiting. My understanding of the day-to-day of being an ER associate or analyst is that it's fairly similar to how I spent my research year (which I enjoyed).
Through some personal networking, I've connected and chatted with individuals at a couple biotech-focused hedge funds and got some general ideas. However, I still feel lost about what competencies I should be honing or developing, how to develop them, and where to look for opportunities to break in. Like trying to develop a stock pitch without any guidance has been difficult even though I've enjoyed learning about some companies and the indications they are targeting.
If anybody has similar experience, I'd be very grateful to connect for some guidance. Thank you!
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice for transitioning from medicine to biotech equity research (ER) or the buy-side:
Exit Opportunities in Biotech ER or Buy-Side
Competencies to Develop:
Educational Background:
Networking:
Practical Experience:
Resources and Guidance:
Additional Insights from WSO Threads:
By focusing on these areas, you can effectively pivot from medicine to a career in biotech equity research or the buy-side. Good luck!
Sources: Doctor thinking of exit opportunities, 2nd yr Biotech Equity Research looking for next steps......, Biotech equity research possible with ZERO finance experience?, Feel Trapped, Exit Opps From Sell-Side ER?, Where does ER go from here?
Check PM, can help
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