So, You Want To Be An MSL - Here's How To Make It Happen

By Sarah Snyder

Becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) can change your life.

You’ll get to use your scientific expertise, build meaningful relationships with healthcare providers, and make a direct impact on patient care. For many, it’s the most rewarding career in the life sciences.

But here’s the hard truth: most people who want to become an MSL don’t have a clear plan. They start listening to podcasts, reading blog posts, and downloading free resources. And while those can be helpful, they leave you with two problems:

1. The information is scattered.

2. You’re never sure if you’re focusing on the right things.

The result? Months (sometimes years) of spinning your wheels without ever landing the role.

👉 The good news: there’s a better way.

What Does a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) Actually Do?

At its core, an MSL is a scientific advisor. That means you’re responsible for:

• Building trusted relationships with key opinion leaders (KOLs)

• Explaining complex scientific data in a way that’s clear and useful

• Supporting providers as they make treatment decisions for their patients

If you’ve been in clinical practice or research, you already know how important these skills are. The difference is learning how to package them for industry so hiring managers see you as “MSL-ready.”

👉 Want a deeper dive? Read our full article: What Exactly Does a Medical Science Liaison Do?

Do You Qualify to Be a Medical Science Liaison?

Most MSL roles require an advanced degree: PharmD, PhD, MD, NP, PA, or MS. But degrees alone don’t guarantee a job. What hiring managers are really looking for is whether you can:

• Communicate science clearly and confidently

• Build relationships that influence care decisions

• Show that you understand not just the science, but also the business of healthcare

Here’s the good news: these are skills you can learn. And when you learn them in the right order, you become exactly what hiring managers want.

👉 Not sure if you’re a fit? Take our Do You Qualify to Be an MSL? self-check.

How to Become an MSL: Free Resources vs. a Proven Roadmap

If you’re exploring, there are plenty of free resources:

• A podcast episode here.

• A blog post there.

• An occasional webinar when you have time.

They’ll help you dip your toes in. But here’s the truth: information alone won’t land you the role.

Free resources are scattered. They don’t give you the order, accountability, or step-by-step plan you actually need. That’s why so many people stay stuck.

The Aspire MSL Program is different.

It gives you:
✔ A clear step-by-step roadmap (no more guessing what comes next)
✔ Training on the exact skills hiring managers are looking for
✔ Support and accountability so you don’t stall out along the way

👉 Want to see how it works? Book your Aspire demo today.

Why a Roadmap Is the Fastest Way Into the MSL Role

If you try to do this on your own:

• You’ll waste time piecing together random advice.

• You’ll miss opportunities because your resume or interview answers aren’t framed correctly.

• You’ll risk burning out before you even get your shot.

But if you follow a roadmap:

• You’ll save months of wasted effort.

• You’ll know exactly what to say and do at every stage.

• You’ll walk into interviews confident, prepared, and ready to stand out.

Your Next Step to Becoming a Medical Science Liaison

You have two choices:

1. Keep piecing things together and hoping it works.

2. Follow a proven plan and land your first MSL role faster.

👉 Book your Aspire demo today.

Because the only thing standing between you and your first MSL role is a clear roadmap.