Meet Sherry, Clinical Research
Associate I

What does a day in the life of your role look like?

As a CRA, my typical day changes a lot! On days that I am based at my home office, I am answering calls, emails, writing reports and generally acting as a liaison for my sites and the study team. Some days, I am working with site's guiding them through new situations or getting them the help and guidance they need to move forward. Other times, I get to fly to places I've never been to before and enjoy new experiences in new states and areas. Traveling provides just the right change of pace for me so that I can stay engaged in everything I do. My role also consists of a lot of learning, whether I am learning about a new therapy, learning a new approach to a tricky situation or applying new tools that increase my efficiency. I consider that learning every day is a rare opportunity and I value it immensely.

What skills are needed to be successful within your team?

Communications skills are the most critical when working with a large and varied team. I consider my team to be everyone from the study Coordinators, Investigators, clinical and global leads. Everyone has a different perspective and insights from their roles. Being able to achieve goals from small to large at so many levels takes superb level of clear, kind and effective communication. Clinical research is a huge industry with many working parts and knowing who and when can provide support is essential in meeting goals. I also find that good communication allows for strong team building and support. Even though my team is spread across the world, at different time zones and at different levels being at parexel has always made me feel connected and supported.

What unique aspects of Parexel's culture have made the biggest impact on your work experience?

One of the items that is unique about Parexel is the behavioral company goals. I feel that the acknowledgement of values such as winning as one team and delivering with heart and determination have enabled me to achieve goals and having a strong support system. Often times, issues are complex, and it takes time to find the right solution. Having a team that wins, and one team makes it so that I feel that I am never on my own. I know that I have many people I can call on for support and I extend that same support to my team. This has made me feel very lucky to be at Parexel where the company culture is to grow together. When everyone delivers with determination, I know that I have a mighty team ready to take on anything. Overall, being a part of Parexel has made me feel like a part of something momentous and empowering.

How does Parexel's With Heart™ philosophy shape your approach to your role as a CRA?

I deliver With Heart™ by keeping patients first in everything I do. I know that my role is a lifeline to sites, and subsequently, a lifeline to patients. This awareness drives me to consistently deliver my best work, knowing that the quality of my efforts directly impacts the lives of those in clinical trials and the countless individuals awaiting new therapies. To me, working "With Heart" means recognizing the profound importance of every task I undertake, understanding that my actions today have the power to shape a better tomorrow for many.

How has Parexel helped shape and advance your career journey?

At Parexel, career growth isn't just encouraged—it's actively nurtured. The company has provided me with a wealth of opportunities to learn and expand my skillset, often through hands-on experience with challenging situations. I came into Parexel by entering the APEX CRA Program. Being a part of this program has been monumental to my career as a CRA, not just for getting into this field but also by establishing high standards for what being a CRA is. I am able to handle unexpected situations and problem solve quickly and often told my team that I function at the level of an experienced CRA. I have been told that in this role, you will never stop learning. There will always be new circumstances, new approaches, new tools and new therapies. However, having the right approach and knowing your resources is an excellent place to start. Being an APEX CRA has given me confidence in myself to take on challenges and keep growing.

How does Parexel's approach to work-life balance compare to your previous experiences?

The work-life balance at Parexel is unparalleled in my experience. The flexibility I'm afforded here surpasses any previous role I've had. What truly stands out is the genuine understanding and support from my line manager, especially when urgent matters arise. This culture of trust extends to allowing me the freedom to structure my own schedule, ensuring I can prioritize what's truly important both professionally and personally.

How do you foster a culture of empowerment and accountability?

I find that at Parexel, praise is always given when praise is due. Whether it is through the Bravo program or encouragement from the clinical team or line managers I always feel recognized. At the same time, I personally believe I can always improve so my team is objective and clear about what I can do better and How I can get there. Whenever I face a challenge, I know I have a large support system to help me reach my goals.

What does Parexel's commitment to quality look like in practice for you and your team?

Quality isn't just a goal as a Parexel CRA—it's our standard. I take immense pride in the caliber of my deliverables, investing time to ensure every detail is meticulously prepared. My approach is one of active engagement, committing fully to each task and striving to get it right the first time. This commitment to quality extends to continuous learning, where I view each experience as an opportunity to refine my skills and avoid repeating past mistakes. Our team's high expectations for quality work create an environment of excellence, where focusing on quality naturally leads to increased efficiency and comprehensive task completion.

How does your role contribute to Parexel's values and behaviors?

Being a CRA contributes to all of the Parexel behaviors. I commit to excellence with the quality of my work. I work with others and support my team so that we can win as wone team. I deliver with heart and determination by keeping the purpose of my work in mind; It is all about the patient. I learn from challenges, and I am recognized for my successes. I am accountable for everything I do, and I get to own the outcome.

If you could give prospective team members one key insight about this position, what would it be?

For those considering a role at Parexel, it's crucial to understand that our company behaviors are more than just words on paper—they're the foundation of everything we do. The human connection and genuine care that permeates our work creates an environment where CRAs and the clinical team naturally find alignment in purpose and teamwork. At Parexel, we care.

What part of your job are you passionate about and would like to share?

What I am most passionate about in my role is the patients. I take pride in knowing that a large part of my role is to ensure their safety and rights are looked out for. Additionally, through monitoring, I get to see how these groundbreaking therapies are improving the lives of people in need. I also love being a part of a field focused on constant growth and improvement in all levels. It is such a privilege to see the innovation and potential that is working to help people all over the world. My passion for patients' safety, rights and quality of life allows me to put my best foot forward in everything I do, knowing I am a part of something great.

Why did you choose the Clinical Research industry?

I chose the clinical research industry because I want to be a part of an optimistic future. The medical field has reached incredible heights and astounding innovation. The ability to extend life spans and improve the quality of life of so many has only been possible due to the insights of research. As incredible as medicine is today, there is still more to learn, more to develop and more to discover. I find the Clinical research industry to be a place of optimism and limitless potential. I often think about what life will look like in 50 years and what new frontiers our collective efforts in clinical research will take us to.

Has there been a project you've worked on that has been rewarding and how?

Although working on my main study project has provided me with opportunities to learn and many successes, personally I most enjoy learning about new projects. On the occasions where I pick up additional visits on different protocols, I always find it fascinating to learn about the newest therapy in development, how did it get to this phase and what to the results promise thus far. I am always amazed at the ingenuity of new medicine and love to think about the benefits it could bring to patients.

What personal practices or mindsets have you found most valuable in both your professional and personal life?

Personally, I think prioritizing health is critical to all aspects of life. Often during my lunch hour, I will go to the gym and work on functional strength training and cardiovascular health. It is easy to take health for granted and reminding myself to life purposefully has provided me a new sense of accomplishment. I also find that with these efforts, I come back to work so refreshed and ready to hit the ground running. I also find that my morning is more productive as I look forward to my lunch break. Traveling as a CRA can be demanding and prioritizing my health allowed me to make sure I can stay active, mobile and healthy for as long as possible. Just as exercise is not always the most enjoyable task, practicing discipline in this aspect allows me to be more disciplined in other aspects as well. I find discipline and purpose to be behaviors that improve everything I do both at work and in everyday life.

What's a surprising, interesting fact about you?

Most people wouldn't know that I have played Piano since 2013. I performed in school concerts often and even tried my hand at music composition. It has been a while since I played but I still love it and find it to be such a peaceful hobby. when I hear classical music, I can almost see how the piano would be playing.