Vincent Clifford

I graduated from the University of Oregon in June of 2020 in prime quarantine season. I was working as a phlebotomist locally and learned about medical devices, which I had not heard about until then. I started to network and found out what a rep does. A neighbor suggested that I attend MSC and I decided to enroll to gain a fundamental knowledge of the industry before applying to jobs.

I became interested in medical sales because I am driven to learn the procedures, products, and the surgeons' way of thinking for each case to better assist our surgeons in developing the best outcome possible for every patient!

A rep in my neighborhood recommended attending MSC because, due to COVID and government restrictions, companies decreased the number of new reps being hired. I decided to take the opportunity to improve myself and my knowledge of the industry during a time when companies weren't really hiring anyway!

While applying for MSC, the onboarding staff continued to follow up with me. During those follow-up phone calls, the staff asked me thought-provoking questions about why I wanted to attend MSC, why I was a good candidate for their course, and why I wanted to become a rep? These questions made me think about my future and the more I answered, the more confident I felt about becoming a rep. These questions also prepared me for interviews after the program, as hiring managers asked similar questions. I was ultimately impressed with the commitment MSC focused on me as a student and their determination for me to be a professional upon graduation.

The lectures at MSC were heavily focused on anatomy, procedures, and specific product information. Every Monday, students take a test on the material from the previous week. On Fridays, the students present a product presentation to the class. For me, these class presentations forced me out of my comfort zone and I learned to concisely prepare information, speak to a large group and received feedback after each presentation. We had the opportunities to perform ACL, total knee, and acetabular reaming procedures using kits, saws, and drills. At the end of the course, we presented a final presentation to the class without notes or visual representation, simulating a real sales pitch or in-service.

Someone should attend MSC because of the instructors. Each instructor has years of industry experience and they often worked for different companies and have had various jobs in the industry. Aside from the lecture material, the instructors provide their experience and tell the class stories. This information helped me to learn from their experience and they were always willing to stay after class and chat or answer questions. The information and experience our instructors provide in the classrooms are exceptional; they provide us with the 1 on 1 opportunity to ask questions. I recommend keeping a running Google Doc of "Instructor Notes" because they are always dropping knowledge and ways to improve ourselves as reps!

2-3 months.

A kind student in our class was constantly looking out for jobs in the area that we wanted to work in. She forwarded me a contact name and I networked with this Senior Rep on LinkedIn. I happened to be driving home through this certain city, met with the rep over coffee and my name and number were forwarded to his manager. After that, I had the opportunity to speak with 4 reps on that team. I was able to pick their brains with questions about what it is like to work for the company, work with their teams, and what challenges they face on a daily basis. After this, I earned the opportunity to speak with a few other managers and speak with them about what they are looking for in an Associate Sales Consultant. I gained valuable information from each of these people and I am still grateful for their time. After about 4 weeks of promptly following up, I received a verbal offer from this company.

I wish I had known to start networking on LinkedIn after the first few weeks! Your messaging strategy will improve with trial and error. Don't waste your time applying for positions online- find associate reps (ASC), senior reps, and managers in the state you want to work in, and reach out to them! Reaching out does not guarantee you a job, but this puts you in contact with the right people and places you on their radar. Also, I earned valuable information from calling reps to learn about what they do on a daily basis, what it is like to work for that company, and what it is like to work with surgeons. Also, I suggest keeping a running list of reps you speak with; they may put you in contact with a hiring manager after graduation.

The most valuable thing I learned at MSC was the importance of professionally following up with everyone and anyone that a hiring manager recommends. Promptly answering the phone, checking in with hiring managers and senior reps (when appropriate), and being prepared to have a 10 minute to a 1-hour conversation with anyone on the team. Promptly responding and answering the phone, though a small detail in the grand scheme of hiring, is noted by managers and, when done consistently, displays another aspect of your dedication to this industry! Also, to be grateful for their time and show this by saying "Thank you" often. The instructors will help shape your mindset about this.