Talking with Abby Looper, I wanted to understand how she made the transition from eight years as a physician assistant into medical device sales and earned her first offer in only five weeks.

Before that, Abby had spent two years trying to break into the industry on her own, submitting more than 100 applications without receiving a single callback. What stood out to me was how much changed once she learned how to network more effectively, present her clinical background as a strength, and communicate her value with confidence. By week nine, she had received three offers and broke into medical device sales at more than $160,000.

Her story offers practical lessons for clinical professionals considering a similar career change.

Knowing When It Was Time for a Change

Abby knew from a young age that she wanted to work in medicine. When she was 15, she discovered the physician assistant profession and started preparing early.

She eventually became a PA and spent eight years working primarily in urology.

Abby loved building relationships with patients and solving complex medical problems. But over time, the responsibility of direct patient care became stressful.

She constantly worried about whether one decision could negatively affect a patient. She tried working part-time and making other changes, but the pressure remained.

Eventually, she realized that if she could not change who she was, she might need to change her environment.

Discovering Medical Device Sales

Abby’s interest in medical device sales started through her work with kidney stone patients.

She came across a newer medical device that she believed could potentially improve patient outcomes and worked with representatives and a territory manager to bring it into her practice for a trial.

She enjoyed the experience because it combined healthcare, education, technology, and problem-solving.

That was when medical device sales started becoming a serious career option.

More Than 100 Applications With No Calls

Abby spent two years trying to break into medical device sales on her own.

She submitted more than 100 applications and tracked them herself, but she never received a callback.

She even had an internal connection at a company she wanted to join. When a position opened, she made it to the final stage of the interview process but still did not get the job.

That taught her an important lesson.

Knowing someone can help open a door, but you still have to prove why you are the right person for the role.

Networking Changed Everything

One of the biggest changes Abby made was focusing on networking instead of only applying online.

She started speaking with associates, clinical specialists, sales representatives, account managers, and regional sales managers.

She treated the process like another job. During one week, she spent around 12 to 14 hours on networking calls while also preparing for interviews.

Within five weeks, she received her first offer.

Once she understood how the process worked, she went from struggling to get calls back to being involved in several interview processes at the same time.

Her Clinical Experience Became a Strength

Earlier in her search, Abby was told she did not have formal sales experience, and at first, she agreed.

Later, she learned how to explain her background differently.

As a physician assistant, she had spent years building trust, educating patients, explaining medications and procedures, recommending treatments, and helping people make decisions.

Those skills translate directly into consultative sales.

The difference was learning how to communicate that value.

Confidence Changed Her Interviews

During one interview, a VP of Sales asked Abby why he should hire her.

She responded that the better question was what would happen if he did not hire her, because she was going to get into medical device sales and could end up working for his competitor.

Abby thought she had ruined the interview.

Instead, he told her it was the best answer he had ever heard to that question.

That moment showed how much her confidence had changed.

Three Offers Gave Her Options

Abby interviewed for clinical specialist, associate sales representative, territory manager, and hybrid roles.

By week nine, she had received three offers.

That allowed her to choose the opportunity that best fit her career and family. Abby was married, had a 9-month-old daughter and a 3-year-old son, and was the primary breadwinner for her family.

She ultimately accepted a medical device sales position paying more than $160,000.

Know Your “Why”

One of Abby’s biggest pieces of advice is to understand why you want to make the change.

Every career will have difficult days.

For Abby, she realized she wanted a career that combined education, anatomy, medicine, and technological innovation while also giving her stronger earning potential and opportunities for growth.

Knowing her “why” helped her stay committed throughout the process.

Final Thoughts

Abby’s journey showed me that breaking into medical device sales takes more than submitting applications and hoping someone notices your résumé. She spent two years and submitted more than 100 applications without receiving calls back, but once she learned how to network, position her clinical background, handle objections, and communicate her value with confidence, she received her first offer in five weeks and three offers by week nine before accepting a position paying more than $160,000. For clinical professionals considering medical device sales, your experience can be one of your biggest strengths when you learn how to show companies why it matters.

Want More Details?

For the full story and more insights, watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Don't miss out on valuable lessons and experiences!

Ready to break into Medical Device Sales? 

If you’re serious about breaking into Medical Device Sales, our program is designed to help you break into the industry where our average person is breaking into Medical Device Sales in just 9.5 weeks at $113K+.

All the best,

Jacob McLaughlin

‍