What's luck got to do with it?

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Aspiring IMGs often reach out and say something along the lines of:

 "You have such an interesting and successful career trajectory, how did you do it?" 🧿 

For a long time, my answer included grit, relentless networking, understanding the Canadian pharmaceutical landscape and luck. Being in the right place at the right time.

I truly believed luck played a major role, until recently.

When I revisited Seneca’s quote, I realized something profound 💡:

If I hadn’t been prepared when the opportunity appeared, it would have meant nothing.

When I first moved to Canada 🇨🇦 nearly 15 years ago, I treated my job search like a full-time job. Every single day, from 9 to 5, I was on my laptop doing one (or all) of the following:

🤝 Networking intentionally – Because well built relationships open doors, especially in a new country.

🗞️ Following industry news – Tracking every development from companies I aspired to work with.

📚 Studying the Canadian healthcare and pharmaceutical landscape – Understanding reimbursement models, regulatory pathways, market access realities, and the ecosystem and how it differed (or not) from what I already knew. 

When interviews finally came, I wasn’t scrambling. I was ready.

I arrived in Canada with nearly 9 years of experience — 3 in clinical practice and 6+ years in marketing with a global pharmaceutical organization. And yet, it still took months to break in. There were moments of doubt. Breakdowns. Thoughts of pivoting completely.

But preparation gave me confidence ➡️ confidence created presence ➡️ presence helped me optimize the opportunity.

💫 Luck isn’t magic.

It’s preparation meeting the moment.

One common misconception I see is this:

 "I’ll work on my resume or interview skills once I start applying or when I get the interview call"

No! Start now!

Refine your narrative. Practice articulating your value and transferable skills. Understand the industry deeply. The more time you give yourself, the more natural, strategic, and confident you become.

Because when the right conversation happens — and it will — you won’t just hope for luck.

You’ll be ready for it.

To every IMG building their path in Canada’s pharmaceutical industry: 

😎 Preparation is your competitive advantage. Start today!

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