Switching Careers: From Clinic to Corporate

If I would to ask my old self – what do you see yourself in 8 years?

A radiation therapist by profession and a career I hold true to my heart, I doubt younger me could imagine transitioning to a corporate position – let alone uncharted frontiers. A day in a life of a radiation therapist practicing in a private cancer centre in Malaysia has its challenges but it also brings great satisfaction. Fast paced, demanding, and sometimes not having that chance to just catch a breath would be how I would describe life in the clinics then. Cancer doesn’t stop, so how could we?

_{To me – a radiation therapist is not just a professional planning the cancer treatment or executing the treatment delivery for a patient. She (or he) is also a friend, a confidante, and a motivator to the patient in their journey against cancer.}

In cancer care, each treatment regime is curated individually for each patient. Radiation Oncology is orchestrated by a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), which includes radiation oncologists, oncology nurses, medical physicists and radiation therapists working closely with other medical divisions like radiology, pathology, and more. Ultimately, we all envision and strive for the success and best form of care we could give to our cancer patients.

_{“Don’t you just end up being ‘numb’ from this job that reaps you of your emotions?”}

Well, it depends how one sees it. We are there for the patient from day one he or she gets referred for radiation therapy treatment. And their journey with us? Well, it could span from a short 3 – 5 days or they could be seeing us for as long as 7 weeks. (Sometimes, I do wonder if my patients get tired of seeing me on a daily basis!). However, it is that relationship that we’ve built with the patient that matters.

Personally, over my 8 years of clinical life, I’ve never had the feeling of being ‘numb’ or ‘desensitized’. I look forward to meeting new patients. I enjoy learning about what ticks them, what they find comfort in as treatments become more challenging due to the radiation side effects they might be experiencing. Seeing them again the next day, meant that they did not give up; and meeting them during their follow-ups is a bonus! Occasionally, when we do not see them anymore (it could mean they are doing well), I know I have always given my best and I am humbled to be a part of their cancer journey.

Moving to corporate life

“I wish they taught us this in school” – is what I always say to my husband when I try to bounce ideas off him. Leaving clinical life started with my first corporate-based role as a Clinical Application Specialist which was not too far from home. I still had the opportunity to use my clinical expertise hands-on, while teaching new users and helping them incorporate new techniques into their clinical practice. The challenge is managing my own schedule, travelling across continents to execute my targets, and doing more than just ‘clinical work’. And of course, managing family time!

Moving into my second corporate role, comes with a whole different set of challenges. As a clinical marketeer and a clinical excellence manager, now this is uncharted territory! Job satisfaction is also derived from a different angle, where success is measured long term. This role allows me to explore my creative side and to use my clinical knowledge to help develop markets and make changes in clinical practice for the betterment of cancer patients. Above it all, I make new friends, I learn from other professions, become more adaptable to changes and understand that cancer practice is always evolving – so that’s why we should too!