What is the way out? Have I ruined my career already?

Question

Hi everyone,

I am a senior in college, about to graduate. I went to an Ivy League but didn't land my return offer from my IB junior internship. I picked up casing for the first time in my life in Aug and had the dumb luck to land a life sci consulting job at a no-name boutique. They seem to have good projects and work with all the big-name pharma but after asking around, nobody knows who they are (seem to grow pretty fast as they are getting demands a lot). I guess I am lucky to still have a job in this market, but I truly wonder if I messed up my whole career. They only do market access/commercialization work for pharma. I really don't know if I want to corner myself this early on, especially in an industry with so limited capacity for entrepreneurship, aside from starting my own biotech firm (I am def not a drug-developer scientist material). I have always wanted to give myself optionality and the possibility to make some big bucks (sure, I know it sounds hilarious coming from someone who hasn't gone to work yet) but I feel like I am screwed with this type of opening to my career. I would truly appreciate any insight and advice from folks.

Answer 1

You didn't ruin anything. Market access is where pharma actually makes or loses money post-launch, and companies pay heavily to get it right.

Your exits are straightforward. The pharma clients you advise will recruit you into their commercial strategy teams. Healthcare VC funds need people who can evaluate reimbursement risk on a pipeline drug, that's not a scientist role. MBB hires experienced life sciences consultants because their generalists can't do what you'll be able to do after two years.

The boutique name is irrelevant. Pfizer and Novartis on your deck is Pfizer and Novartis on your resume.

You haven't even started yet. Give it eighteen months. (chill a sec)

Answer 2

Hi there,

I wouldn't go so far as to say you've ruined your career. You can still make big bucks if you build expertise in a niche area. However, if your goal is to have optionality AND make big bucks, then it's better to go for more generalist consulting firms like MBB.

Answer 3

I read 'have I ruined my career already' and 'I am a senior college', and I already knew what I was going to write to you.

No. You did not ruin your career.

The idea that there is a perfect career path and you must take every step is not only fictitious, but it's also plain wrong. And it's really damaging the mental health of many people in your generation.

An alternative mindset you might consider embracing is that life will bring both opportunities and misfortunes. You can protect against some, but not against all. What you should rely on and seek to develop is your resourcefulness in making the best out of the options that pop up.

Join the firm that you can join. Make the most of it. Start thinking about where you want to get to next. And then move in that direction. That's it.

Best,
Cristian

Answer 4

Hi, absolutely not. It is natural to see people around us and feel that somehow they have accomplished more but this is truly in our heads.

You are working in a very interesting place and this early in your career, you have several exit options - from moving into a more generalist consulting firm to a healthcare startup, to name just a couple of options.

Your intellect, hard work, and impact you make in your job are far more important at this stage.

However, if you have learned that this is not what you want to do, it might be worth actively working towards your exit options now. Good luck and happy to speak in depth!

Answer 5

Take a breath. You have not ruined your career. Not even close.

You are a senior at an Ivy with a consulting job lined up in a tough market. That is not a crisis. That is a solid start.

The boutique being "no name" matters way less than you think. They work with big pharma and are growing fast. That means real work. What actually matters in your first job is simple: are you solving real problems and building skills that transfer? If yes, the brand on your resume is secondary.

The specialization concern is fair. Market access is niche. But two to three years of solid consulting experience, even in a niche, teaches you how to structure problems, manage clients, and deliver under pressure. Those skills travel with you everywhere.

What I would focus on is not the current job. It is what you do while you are there:

Build transferable skills aggressively. Financial modeling, client management, structured problem solving. Those are your real assets, not the logo on your business card.
Keep your network warm. You went to an Ivy. Use that. Stay connected with classmates in IB, PE, MBB, tech. Your second job comes through relationships, not applications.
Plan your pivot early. If this is not where you want to be long term, start thinking about your exit after 12 to 18 months. MBA, lateral move, or a jump to a different space. A clear plan turns a "dead end" into a stepping stone.

Optionality does not come from your first job title. It comes from skills, relationships, and credibility you build over time. Plenty of people who started at Goldman or McKinsey ended up stuck because they never grew beyond the brand. And plenty who started at no name firms built incredible careers because they were intentional about it.

You are 22 with an Ivy degree and a job. The game is just starting. Play it smart and you will be fine.