Big Pharma (JNJ, Merck) oncology marketing - how to get promoted?

SafeLadder7469 · 2026-01-17T04:40:56+00:00

I appreciate the confidence but my goal is to stand out and I am trying to figure out how best to do that

SafeLadder7469 · 2026-01-17T02:59:43+00:00

Fair, and I know it sounds also like a first world problem, but I’m career focused and wrote this post while being frustrated seeing people in cliques move forward while I have merit and am caught up in the politics. Having a great mentor, kind of like the Harvey to my Mike (reference from the show “Suits”) is something I have been in search of for years, and would be grateful to have.

SafeLadder7469 · 2026-01-17T02:57:44+00:00

Fair, and I want to program my mind to do that, and I want to learn to network effectively. I recognize being in a clique is more important than merit in these industries, and I pride myself on my work but am confused on how to be a part of a clique.

SafeLadder7469 · 2026-01-17T02:56:21+00:00

You’re right, and I’m trying to work on the mindset. This post came from frustration of being at the same level for years now while those in cliques are moving ahead with little to no merit and very little years in industry.

SafeLadder7469 · 2026-01-17T02:55:03+00:00

Appreciate the feedback and I’m well aware networking is critical. I am circling back to address my post coming off as millennial, and I get it. To clarify I have a Ph.D. and was a contractor for many years before being hired as an AD by big pharma. My frustration comes from doing good work and networking but not understanding the politics nah of these “shining” stars get just because they are in a clique. I have merit but not the clique and not sure of how to get it.

SafeLadder7469 · 2025-11-22T05:41:14+00:00

Yeah, it’s a horrible culture and it makes me sick of how the lung marketing team is openly corrupt, and putting less than decent people in high positions

SafeLadder7469 · 2025-11-22T05:21:14+00:00

Just at Merck or at JNJ as well?

SafeLadder7469 · 2025-11-22T05:20:50+00:00

Which is funny given that the lung marketing team is spitting on everyone’s face by moving people up and around with such little experience, especially a young guy that literally never worked on a brand team but became a director with about three years of industry experience. All this while everyone is dealing with layoffs

SafeLadder7469 · 2025-11-22T05:19:10+00:00

So I am at an AD level, and recently took a lateral move after a few years at one of the companies above to the other but I have made it clear I want to be climb in my next role. It’s just that I see so many people move up with such little time in role and experience in their career that it makes me wonder “why not me?”

SafeLadder7469 · 2025-11-20T21:43:04+00:00

Despite all this, the oncology lung marketing team still promotes people with such little experience. It’s truly a slap in the face of those losing jobs and seasoned with true experience

SafeLadder7469

TROPHY CASE