From Academia to MedComms: Insights, Growth, and the Rewards of Medical Writing
An exclusive Q&A session with Dr. Megan Sharrock where she reflects on her career in medical writing, sharing personal growth, industry misconceptions, and advice for aspiring professionals.
Q: What did you study at university, and what qualifications did you come out with?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: I started with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science at Liverpool John Moores University. I stayed on to complete a master’s in Industrial Biotechnology, which included a summer industrial placement.
After that, I moved to the University of Leeds for another master’s and a PhD in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. It was part of a Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) programme—a PhD wasn’t challenging enough, so they threw a master’s in for good measure! Once I finished my lab work for my PhD, I transitioned into medical writing.
Q: At the time, were you unsure of what you wanted to do?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Not initially. I felt very set on climbing the academic ladder and pursuing research. But my circumstances changed. During COVID, I was on maternity leave after having my daughter, and I realised that I didn’t want to commute into the city or spend long hours in the lab anymore. I wanted to be closer to family.
It was a scary decision to pivot from the plan I’d envisioned for my life, but it was the right one. Now, looking back, I’m so glad I made that change.
Q: How did you break into MedComms?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Word Monster played a huge role. When I decided to leave research, I was actively seeking a remote job since I planned to move back to a smaller northern town with limited lab work opportunities.
Oddly enough, it all began with TikTok—I came across a Word Monster video of Laura working from home as a medical writer. Laura is now my manager! I reached out to Word Monster and asked, “How do I do this job?”
While they weren’t hiring associates at the time, I was pointed toward resources like Peter Llewellyn’s webinars. I joined one of Peter’s sessions, which helped me secure a place in the freelance Aspirations scheme at Aspire Scientific. Shortly afterward, Word Monster got back in touch about an associate role, and that’s how I got my first job.
Q: What initially attracted you to medical writing?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Remote working was a significant factor. I had a child and wanted to continue my career as a scientist but in a way that worked for my life.
During my PhD, I discovered I didn’t enjoy lab work as much as I thought. While I succeeded—I gathered data and passed my viva—it wasn’t fulfilling. In contrast, I found myself looking forward to afternoons spent writing my thesis. That’s when I started exploring scientific writing and stumbled upon medical communications.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced transitioning into MedComms, and how did you overcome it?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: For me, it was grasping the sheer variety within MedComms. Coming from academia, I expected to work primarily on publications or regulatory writing, but that turned out to be the least of what I worked on initially—and still isn’t my niche.
The diversity of therapy areas and types of briefs was overwhelming at first. However, I was fortunate to join Word Monster as they introduced me to Monster Academy for onboarding training which eased me into different types of briefs and provided fantastic support that made my transition smooth.
Q: What does a typical day as a medical writer look like for you? Dr. Megan Sharrock gives us a peek into her daily routine, balancing work and life, and thriving in the fast-paced world of MedComms.
Dr. Megan Sharrock: It varies depending on the type of client I’m working with. At Word Monster, we have two branches: direct client work and agency support. While the core tasks might overlap, the day-to-day interactions differ.
For instance, if I’m working with an agency, my day is more independent. I’ll receive a brief, work on it, and submit it by the end of the day. Direct client work, on the other hand, often involves teamwork—status calls, meetings with designers, and briefing sessions with healthcare professionals (HCPs) about their presentation slides.
The constants in my day are waking up, taking my daughter to school, checking emails, and diving into my brief or task for the day. Depending on the schedule, there may also be team meetings. And I must admit—I’m one of those people who skips breakfast and opts for a very early lunch around 11:30!
Q: How do you find the work-life balance at Word Monster? Was this a key factor in joining the company?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Absolutely, work-life balance was one of the reasons I chose Word Monster. Coming from academia, where work-life balance can be non-existent, this was a refreshing change.
As a mum, I’ve learned the importance of separating work and home life. In MedComms, I can “hand work back to the client” at the end of the day and fully step away from my desk. Word Monster’s “life-first” ethos makes this easier.
They’re incredibly flexible, especially with unexpected things—like my recent house move. They gave me the leniency to step out when needed. I also work slightly different hours (8 AM to 4:30 PM), which suits my schedule with school drop-offs and pick-ups. From the beginning, they supported me in tailoring my hours, which has been fantastic.
Q: What types of projects do you usually work on, and how do they differ?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: It really depends! When I support agencies, I might receive a new therapy area or brief every day. One of the most common projects I work on is slide decks, particularly treatment landscape decks. These outline products in the pipeline, approvals, and competitors in a specific therapy area.
What I enjoy most, though, are congress materials. I love events—be it creating meeting invitations, crafting symposia slides with speakers, or being on-site. I also don’t mind tasks like Veeva (review and approval), which some people dread. I enjoy anchoring references—it’s oddly therapeutic!
Q: How do you balance multiple deadlines and keep up with the fast-paced nature of MedComms?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Working at Word Monster helps a lot because writers are protected. When I was an associate, Word Monster would push back on my behalf if a deadline wasn’t realistic. Over time, I’ve gained confidence in doing this myself but having that ongoing support makes a big difference.
It’s all about transparency. If priorities clash, I’ll let the client know what’s on my plate and ask them to decide what takes precedence. Honestly, I thrive under pressure—the adrenaline makes me feel productive, and by the end of the day, it’s satisfying to see how much I’ve accomplished.
Having a team that backs you up when deadlines are tight is invaluable—it eases the stress and allows you to focus on delivering quality work.
Q: What's the most rewarding part of being a medical writer?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: It’s probably something people outside the industry don’t often consider, but I feel like I’m on the frontline—even though I’m not the clinician or researcher.
I love having the “inside scoop” on upcoming treatments and being part of a bigger effort to improve patient outcomes. Lately, there’s been a huge push in the event space to drive meaningful behaviour change—encouraging HCPs to take action for their patients. It’s rewarding to feel like I’m part of this change, helping to get the message out there.
There’s a misconception that the pharmaceutical industry is all about money. Being behind the scenes, I see the genuine care and focus on patients. Events and materials are centred on patient benefits. It’s fulfilling to know I’m contributing to something meaningful and making a difference.
Q: How has working in MedComms helped you grow professionally and personally?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Massively, and in ways I didn’t expect. I’ve been at Word Monster for about 2.5 years full-time, and I’ve grown more during this time than in my five years in academia doing my PhD.
Professionally, I’ve had incredible support from my manager—she’s my biggest cheerleader—and I’m always given opportunities to grow. I thrive when I have something to work toward, and Word Monster encourages that.
Personally, the biggest change for me has been confidence. I wasn’t keen on presenting before, but within weeks of joining, Dave (now Managing Director) had me presenting on client calls. Having people trust and believe in me made all the difference. Over time, I developed the confidence to own what I’m doing and speak up in any situation.
At Word Monster, it doesn’t matter what your title is—your voice matters. That’s such a refreshing change from academia, where it’s hard to speak up in a room full of professors as a “lowly” PhD student. Here, everyone is on the same level, and that has empowered me both professionally and personally.
Q: What's one misconception about medical writing you'd like to debunk?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: That it’s boring. I get it—if someone had told me at university I’d become a medical writer, I probably would’ve thought it sounded dry. But it’s anything but!
MedComms is dynamic and exciting. You can work on a different therapy area every day and tackle a wide variety of briefs, which means you’re constantly learning and growing. When I first joined, I remember telling Laura, “I’ve never felt smarter!”
In academia, I spent five years working on the same thing. Now, I thrive on the variety and the challenge of writing about something new every day. It’s far from boring—it’s stimulating and fulfilling.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in MedComms?
Dr. Megan Sharrock: Be cheeky—just reach out to people. Whether it’s on LinkedIn or, like me, stumbling across a TikTok, don’t be afraid to start conversations. Most people in this industry are happy to help.
If you can, sign up for training like Monster Academy—it’s a great way to gain experience and show potential employers you’re proactive. Keep an eye out for scholarships or free resources. Even practicing mock briefs yourself can demonstrate initiative.
My journey into MedComms started with me reaching out to Word Monster. Being cheeky opened doors to freelance schemes and training opportunities and eventually landed me my first job. So, don’t be afraid to ask—the answer is often “yes.”
Final Thoughts
Dr. Megan Sharrock’s inspiring journey into medical writing showcases the rewarding opportunities in the field. With her signature mix of persistence, curiosity, and a dash of cheekiness, she highlights how embracing change can lead to personal and professional growth. Her experiences demonstrate how dynamic and fulfilling a career in MedComms can be—balancing diverse tasks, thriving in a fast-paced environment, and making a meaningful impact.
Thinking of exploring medical writing? The training arm of Word Monster, Monster Academy, offers incredible medical writing training to help aspiring writers break into the industry. Reach out and take that first step!
