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????️ In this episode of the SciWell Podcast, we talk to Paolo Saccardo, a professional with a solid career in academia who made a shift towards the pharmaceutical industry. Paolo went from being an academic researcher to serving as a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) at Novartis and currently works as a Scientific Strategic Advisor (SSA) at AstraZeneca. Paolo shares his personal and professional journey, addressing topics such as: • ???? What led him to leave academia and how he landed his first role in the pharmaceutical industry. • ???? The impact of his academic training on his role as an MSL and SSA. • ⚙️ How the pharmaceutical industry approaches scientific innovation and what makes working in this sector unique. • ???? Reflections on the differences between academia and industry: stability, pace of work, and growth opportunities. • ???? Practical advice for scientists considering making the transition to industry. This episode is ideal for students, PhD candidates and professionals in the scientific world who are exploring new career possibilities and want to understand how to take their academic career to a corporate environment. 00:00 Intro 02:20 What Paolo does 04:50 Getting out of his comfort zone 06:08 His time in academia: Erasmus + Master's + PhD 10:12 Why he decided to stay in Spain 15:46 Motivation to try new things 17:50 Moving into industry and networking 21:45 How he got into Novartis – Intern or “trainee” 27:39 Becoming an MSL 30:25 “Soft skills” are essential 33:35 What does an MSL do? 37:57 Negotiating Salary & Conditions 39:16 Interview Tips 43:26 Your SSA Position at AstraZeneca: Challenges + Innovation 46:05 Navigating the Pharmaceutical Industry 47:50 Tips for Getting Started in the Industry 49:12 The Importance of Getting Stabilized 50:03 What an SSA Is and What They Do 53:28 Closing If you're interested in getting in touch with Paolo Saccardo, you can search for him on LinkedIn. ???? Listen to the full episode on Spotify and YouTube. ???? Subscribe to our channel and follow us on social media @sciwell.podcast to don't miss future interviews! ???? Turn on notifications to stay up to date with new episodes. #ScienceForAll #AcademiaAIndustria #PhD #SciWellPodcast #AstraZeneca #MedicalScienceLiaison #StrategicScientificAdvisor #Novartis #ScientificCareers #MSL #SSA