Could you be ICON's next CRA? Yes, and here's how

Graduates who enter the life sciences industry, particularly within CROs and in CRA roles, have plenty of opportunities to progress. Within the CRA field, there are senior and lead roles which offer increased responsibilities (and salaries) while there is also the opportunity to move into project management and line management.

ICON’s global scope means that there’s the opportunity to work in other countries around the world. ICON has a presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the Americas, so those graduates with wanderlust could eventually apply their skills in a number of different places internationally.

Here’s an overview of some exciting science-based careers in clinical research.

Graduates ideally need to have some kind of science, bio-medical, nursing or pharmacy degree to be considered for the role of a CRA. Learn more about our international CRA Graduate Programme.

Never underestimate the importance of networking. Undergraduates don’t need to wait until they’re looking at graduate schemes to start building a valuable pool of contacts – they can do this throughout their studies. I also think it’s important to be fearless when it comes to asking for advice and guidance. Perseverance is key, particularly when it comes to sniffing out entry-level positions in your chosen field.

With remote hiring on the rise, now is the perfect time to brush up on your digital interviewing skills.

My advice to future graduates is simple: do your research. Learn as much as you can about the clinical research industry, the CRO world and ICON - particularly before you get to any interview stages in your application– and your career options in clinical research. If you can, speak to a CRA about what their day-to-day tasks and challenges are. Then take what you’ve learnt and think about how your skills and qualities align with the CRA role. You’ll need to demonstrate flexibility, attention to detail, interpersonal skills, public speaking, time and task management, medical and scientific literacy, and an ability to be a team player. If you’re enthusiastic and willing to learn, you’ll be much more attractive to ICON employers.

ICON’s supportive management structure and productive and friendly working environment make for an excellent company. This is complemented by teams filled with talented and driven people, plus a really attractive salary package. What's more, ICON is growing as a company globally, and graduates can take advantage of this to really propel their careers. We're investing in the future of Clinical Research Associates.

We want to be the partner of choice in drug development. We’re driven by this vision and looking for talented professionals to share it with. If you’d like to join the team at ICON take a look at our clinical research jobs or find out more about a day in the life of a CRA.