For many eyecare professionals, clinical practice is incredibly rewarding. There is an undeniable instant gratification that comes from helping an individual patient see better.

But as your career evolves, you might find yourself asking a bigger question about how to help patients on a larger scale by transitioning into a corporate role.

This psychological shift, moving from micro-level care to macro-level innovation, was the core focus of OWL’s recent Clinicians & Industry Interest Group Webinar held on Thursday, May 21. The session brought together MDs and ODs to share firsthand insights and what it took for them to transition from clinical practice into industry roles.

The distinguished panel featured:

• Jacqueline Armani, OD
• Hemali Davé, OD
• Srinivas Kondapalli, MD
• Jai Parekh, MD, MBA

Here is some of what our panel revealed about adjusting to the corporate learning curve.

Shifting Your Professional Mindset

Entering the corporate space involves a unique adjustment period. Dr. Armani, an industry veteran, recalled a piece of advice she received early in her career that she now passes on to every newcomer: "It takes about six months to get used to being in industry and just being used to everything about it."

Part of this adjustment means leaving your comfort zone as the primary authority in a clinic. Dr. Kondapalli expanded on this corporate reality, explaining that running a business requires a completely different approach to authority. "Just because you have initials behind your name doesn't mean that you're necessarily gonna get the respect that you would traditionally get across the board" he noted.

Managing Lifestyle and Travel Realities

The day-to-day logistics of an industry role can also surprise new leaders. Dr. Davé recalled the physical and mental adjustments of her early days traveling regionally: "In my first role that I had with industry, I was traveling regionally. I was in the car four of the five days."

She would regularly find herself driving to neighboring states early in the morning, noting, "I'd be driving to Wisconsin or Indiana at 5:00 AM." She excelled by stepping outside her comfort zone, emphasizing, "As people say, you gotta get a little uncomfortable, it was uncomfortable. The first time I was in the OR, I didn't even know where to stand... it's humbling, but there are times when you need to be humbled so that you can grow."

Dr. Parekh agreed that corporate travel can be intense due to team meetings, advisory boards, and industry congresses. He emphasized that a strong personal support system is vital to managing the workload, warning, "If your family's not supportive, then this industry is not the role for you."

Connect with Peers Who Have Walked the Path

Transitioning away from traditional practice can feel unfamiliar. However, as the panel highlighted, knowing someone who has walked that road before you is worth more than any job description. The panel shared ideas of how to approach industry connections and where to build those relationships.

To bridge this gap, OWL has launched the Clinicians & Industry Interest Group. By becoming part of the OWL community, you can unlock this private, supportive, and safe environment where members share resources, seek candid advice, and build meaningful relationships with industry leaders and fellow MDs and ODs who have successfully navigated this transition.

Unlock the Full Conversation

This webinar offered a lively and engaging conversation about transitioning from clinical practice to a career in industry. If you are curious to hear the full discussion, log into the OWL membership portal to watch the complete recording.