* How did you find your way into your current role?

After university I fell into academic research but quickly realised it didn't suit me, as there wasn't the day-to-day 'cut and thrust' I wanted. An ex-colleague who had started working as a clinical research associate (CRA) got in touch to tell me how great the role was and I applied to a few companies on spec.

One of the interviews was with a managing director who summed up by saying: "You have no clinical research experience and very little understanding of the area. However, I think you'd be great at the job, what do you think I should do with you?" "Train me" was my reply and he agreed. I was fortunate that the new company trainer was Sue Fitzpatrick who now works for the Institute of clinical research. Thanks to her I was soon a competent CRA and built a strong base in the field from there.

* How is your field changing?

There have been huge changes since I started in clinical research. When I was first trained, ICH Good Clinical Practice (GCP) had only just come into place. Now we have the EU Directive and associated UK legislation to guide our activities. This is very positive as it ensures ICH GCP is followed, clarifies roles and responsibilities and builds the reputation of the industry as being ethical and well regulated.

However, it has also significantly increased the levels of paperwork and the emphasis has definitely changed from being primarily focussed on performing the study to now being driven much more by evidence and documentation.

* What are the most enjoyable things about your role?

There are so many things. There is tremendous variety, which keeps me interested. My remit is to deliver the UK and Irish portions of all the Abbott global clinical trials, which involves everything from resourcing the studies, motivating the teams and overseeing the outcomes, to strategic planning, and managing the budget.

In addition, the people I work with are great communicators, dedicated, intelligent and fun. This creates an excellent working atmosphere making it easier to deliver results.

* And the least enjoyable?

The quantity of paperwork can be a challenge sometimes, but it's a necessary part of my job.

* What are the most common misconceptions about your field and the people who work in it?

In some pharma companies, clinical research is not viewed as a value-adding part of the business, as we can be seen as a group that costs money rather than making it for the company.

However, without clinical research there would be no product to sell. Fortunately that is understood at Abbott.

* Is there an individual in your field who has inspired you?

Over the years I have had some great and not-so-great managers and have learnt a huge amount from their various styles. However, I think I have learnt the most from my current line manager at Abbott: keeping your eye on the bigger picture, switching off at the end of the day and not sweating the small stuff.

All this goes towards keeping you motivated and enthusiastic to best approach the next challenge and focus your energies on the real priorities.

* Similarly, is there someone outside your field who has inspired you?

My aunt, who I was very close to, died of cancer and for my first CRA role I set out to work in oncology. I believe knowing I was doing something towards helping people in her position really motivated me in the early years, drove me on in my career and helped me personally to get over the loss.

* What is the secret to a happy working life?

Choosing your battles, building good relationships and striving for a good work/life balance. In addition, seeing every situation as a positive learning experience, which will improve your ability to manage next time, together with knowing and accepting that you will never be 100% on top of your workload - there's always more to be done.

For me, it's also very important to focus on the outcome of the trials ¿ ensuring the best and safest medicines are available to patients who need them to improve their lives. There is huge job satisfaction to be had from that.

* What advice would you give to someone starting out in your field now?

If you are striving to break in to clinical research, do your homework. It often surprises me how little candidates know about the subject when they come to interview. It's still hard to get that break into the industry, so you don't want to miss an opportunity to impress. Talk to existing CRAs in different companies to see what the job entails, so that you can convince the recruiter that you know what the job is like and really want it.

* How do you relax and forget about work?

This is my family's forte! My husband Andy developed a morbid fear of science at about 13 and, even after several years of marriage, still doesn't really know what I do.

Therefore, I prefer to be regaled with stories from the newspaper he works on, rather than discussing the latest MREC issue or stretch target. My four-year-old and one-year old are also strangely uninterested so work stays at work, which suits me.

* In an alternate life, what would you do for a living?

If I hadn't discovered clinical research, I would have loved to have been a teacher. I value the opportunities I have in my current role to coach and develop my team, so it has always appealed as a possible alternative.

Biography: Having attained a degree in Biology from Swansea University, Elizabeth started her working life in academic research for the Developmental Biology department at Bath University.

In 1996 Elizabeth began her career in clinical research at SMS and then joined British Biotech, followed by project management roles at USB Pharma and Proctor and Gamble. She was then recruited as clinical research manager for Health Decisions, an Oxford-based clinical research organisation.

For more than four years, Elizabeth has been working in her current role as clinical operations manager for Abbott and is responsible for the UK and Irish deliverables on the Abbott global studies. She lives in Bicester with husband Andy and two daughters, Josie and Jemima, and enjoys walking, swimming and playing the trumpet.

If you would like to contribute to a future Working Life, please contact Martin Maynard via e-mail at: mmaynard@wiley.com