Medical Device Sales

Actually attended Medical Sales College in Littleton CO. Tough field to get established in but very lucrative once you biuld relationships with doctors or hospitals/clinics. Make sure you feel comfortable selling. Good luck.

Get some bolt ons and be willing to "go the extra mile"

Sales experience is a must. I did insurance/finance for yearly 8 years before I got in. Unless you can find an associate role that is willing to take a shot or you know someone, it's nearly impossible to break in.

I got an associate role that I was in for a year and a half before being promoted. I'm on my second position now.

I also attended Medical Sales College back in 2016. I think that is a great route for the right person. Again, I had sales experience prior to going there so even though device sales is a completely different ball game, I had already had success selling. Sales is hard and a lot of people can't cut it. I believe Medical Sales College is what ultimately got me my first job in device.

Ask any other questions you may have. I absolutely love this industry.

Thanks for the info! I have been in insurance for a year (I’m only 25) and I just sit in an office all day. I’d really like to get out and experience other things and obviously the potential pay isn’t bad. Just curious, what’s your typical day look like and how is your work/life balance?

Your current job sounds like the dream. I am looking to start a family in the next few years so that work life balance is important but also is making some money haha. What do you think the best way to get into a field like what you’re doing now is? And thanks again!

Bigger implants.

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What do you think the best way to get into a field like what you’re doing now is?

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I wish there was an answer to this. I paid my dues in ortho grinding out the long days, weekends, and holidays. Doing that made myself a much better candidate to hiring managers and recruiters. My advice now is to absolutely crush it in your current job. You need recognition and awards. These medical device companies are not going to hire someone because they may have potential; there's too much on the line. They want someone with a track record. Not to say you can't luck out and find a spot, but it's rare.

One thing you can do is utilize LinkedIn. Connect with hiring managers, recruiters, reps, etc. in the industry and ask for advice and what they are looking for in someone wanting to get their foot in the door. When I got back from Medical Sales College, I did this every single day. That type of activity can lead to good things. I'm proof.

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My understanding is that it is not as lucrative as it once was - I.e early 2000s. One of my fraternity brothers that was in right after college absolutely slayed it in his 20s (was bringing in $600-700k) but said it’s not as good now

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It's definitely not like it was back then. I've heard stories of reps taking doctors to Switzerland for a week and running up huge bills with skiing, dinners, whores, you name it. That doesn't exist anymore. But this industry is still VERY lucrative if you're good at it.

Being a college athlete is a plus, especially for a company like Stryker. When I went to training for Stryker, I was one of like 7 out of probably 20 that wasn't a college athlete. Had a couple dudes that had a cup of coffee in the NFL, minor league ball, pro golfers, etc. That will definitely help.

In regards to Medical Sales College, I had some people straight out of college and some people that were in their 50s when I was there. They will work with people on their sales skills but when people ask me if they should go, I'm always hesitant to tell them yes. As I mentioned previously, not everyone is cut out to be in sales. It is a big commitment to do the course. When I went, they had a 6 week and 12 week course and you were there on "campus" (which was just a building with a few rooms) the whole time. You had to pay for your hotel room that whole duration and the cost of the course. It's a big commitment with your time and financially. I think they have online courses and hybrid courses now, but I wanted to be there and get the hands on experience. They also took us to hospitals that let us be in the OR to watch cases.

When I left there, I thought the statistics they put on their website were bullshite. I know a lot of people in my class that never got placed, but I think that is their fault. They will give you the tools and help you once you leave, but it's mostly up to the individual to land interviews. Like I told the OP, when I got back home, I was on LinkedIn and other medical sales websites (most have to pay for a subscription) and connecting with every person I could and messaging them. I applied to every job I could find. Ultimately, I landed probably 4-5 interviews and had a couple of offers, with one being Stryker that I ended up taking.

I don't know how the companies look at Medical Sales College, honestly. It has grown tremendously since I was there, and I see on LinkedIn that they are still placing people in the industry.

Ultimately, I think it will be up to you and your son to decide if it's right for him. Do you think he can be successful in sales? If so, maybe dive into it. You can call and speak with them, but they will more than likely tell you what you want to hear so that he will enroll.

Medical Sales College isn't a requirement. Most people in the industry didn't go or don't know about it. It's probably only 10 years old.