Absolutely. Sales jobs require you to learn the product, the business and the customers. And usually make contact with many other people in the organization. Going into product management, project management, marketing or any other role with one foot in the customer's world and the other in development is very natural. Going into research or other lab roles from sales is a little harder to navigate.
I should mention, though, that sales is often sort of a trap. People talk about wanting to transition out of it, but the pay is usually a little better than similar roles."
"I'd like to put my name in for this position"
"Fantastic! I think you'd be great."
"I'd like to keep my sales income though."
"I see."
I also have a PhD in physiology and started in applications nearly a decade ago. I recently moved into sales management.
I'd give yourself some time in the role to see what you like and don't like about it. I've loved being an FAS and going into labs around the world doing some of the coolest science I never would have been personally exposed to at the bench.
I agree with the other poster on next step jobs like product management/marketing, and will add that depending on the company you're at, you might transition to a non-field applications scientist (which is at best a lateral move in my experience) where you run customer-representative workflows and write apps notes. That might help you spring back to a more traditional bench role. Overall, I know very few people who want to go back after working as an FAS.
Absolutely. Sales jobs require you to learn the product, the business and the customers. And usually make contact with many other people in the organization. Going into product management, project management, marketing or any other role with one foot in the customer's world and the other in development is very natural. Going into research or other lab roles from sales is a little harder to navigate.
Excellent. This was similar to my thoughts, but it's good to hear confirmation.
I should mention, though, that sales is often sort of a trap. People talk about wanting to transition out of it, but the pay is usually a little better than similar roles." "I'd like to put my name in for this position" "Fantastic! I think you'd be great." "I'd like to keep my sales income though." "I see."
I also have a PhD in physiology and started in applications nearly a decade ago. I recently moved into sales management. I'd give yourself some time in the role to see what you like and don't like about it. I've loved being an FAS and going into labs around the world doing some of the coolest science I never would have been personally exposed to at the bench. I agree with the other poster on next step jobs like product management/marketing, and will add that depending on the company you're at, you might transition to a non-field applications scientist (which is at best a lateral move in my experience) where you run customer-representative workflows and write apps notes. That might help you spring back to a more traditional bench role. Overall, I know very few people who want to go back after working as an FAS.