From Big Pharma to the Public Sector: Why I Made the Shift

Career changes are rarely about chasing a new title. For me, the move from big pharma into the public sector was about aligning my skills with work that has a more direct impact on people’s lives.

For several years, I worked in the private sector supporting global clinical trials by overseeing translations of electronic clinical outcome assessments. It was a high-pressure environment defined by tight timelines, strict governance, and the need for absolute accuracy – even small inefficiencies could have major consequences. This experience shaped how I work: structured thinking, clarity in complex environments, and disciplined delivery became second nature.

Over time, however, I found myself asking a bigger question: where do I want these skills to create real impact?

I became increasingly interested not just in healthcare innovation, but in the systems surrounding public services – the infrastructure that determines how effectively people access the support they need.

The public sector operates under a very different definition of success. Here, outcomes are measured in reduced waiting times, improved access, and better safeguarding. Inefficiency isn’t just inconvenient – it can directly affect people’s lives.

Change must be practical, sustainable, and sensitive to each specific context.

Since joining the sector, I’ve seen the breadth of challenges firsthand. From supporting well-respected organisations like the NHS to taking a deeper look at where I can make a difference, the focus is always the same: delivering improvements that have tangible impact.

What motivates me most is the emphasis on responsible use of emerging technologies – particularly AI and open-source approaches – where innovation is grounded in real-world delivery rather than abstract concepts.

One of the most valuable realisations has been how transferable my experience is. The context may differ, but the essentials remain the same: clarity, accountability, and disciplined execution are just as essential in the public sector as they are in private industry.

Bringing this into my current work

Recently, I’ve been focusing on:

• Deepening my understanding of the sector itself and how to help public sector teams improve the way services operate day-to-day

• Exploring where AI-driven tools can reduce administrative burden

• Researching challenges shaped by limited budgets, political oversight, and legacy systems

Seeing how these constraints influence what “good” looks like in real delivery environments, alongside practical project work, has reinforced why the transition felt right: the work is closer to everyday life, the impact is visible, and the purpose behind it is shared.

Leaving the private sector wasn’t about professional dissatisfaction. It was about alignment with my personal goals.

My experience in the pharma world gave me a strong foundation in delivery and governance, but moving into the public sector has allowed me to apply those strengths in environments where outcomes support communities at scale. For me, it feels like the right direction.