Her Story
About Portia
Portia Hawkins is a pharmaceutical sales professional with over 24 years of experience in the oncology sales and pharmaceutical industry. She earned a Bachelor's of Science in Actuarial Science from the University of Illinois Champaign and spent her first 10 years in actuarial science and insurance before transitioning into pharmaceutical sales. She has been with her current company for 21 years, with the last 12 years dedicated to oncology and cancer sales, including the past 6 years selling breast cancer medication. Her background emphasizes building physician relationships and supporting clinical discussions in specialty healthcare markets. She is also a real estate managing broker but prefers not to highlight this professionally in all contexts. Outside of work she is actively involved in the 40 Plus Double Dutch Club nonprofit.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Portia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my competitive nature, pretty strong communication, and then interpersonal skills as far as building relationships and persistence. You just gotta get out there. The more you get out there, the more people are gonna see you. Something's going to land, and just definitely being professional in knowing your craft.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be open to speaking to people. I think sometimes people get in their head what they want to do, and they want to only do that, and so they pretty much pigeonhole themselves if they're not able to go out and get the exact job that they're wanting that is, in their mind, the perfect situation. I think people get discouraged very easily, but being open to talking to people, if you want something, you've got to open your mouth and ask, and don't be shy, and also be flexible in the fact that you might have to do something on the outskirts or adjacent to what you do in order to get your ultimate goal, and that's okay. You don't necessarily get everything you want on the first shot. So, basically being open. Understanding the power of networking and talking to people, and being basically coachable and more flexible in what your expectations are, and not being so entitled.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Basically, just being a differentiator, in my field, you are competing, but the doctor is their first primary priority. Obviously, is seeing patients, so being able to get time in front of the physician so you can share the information that will ultimately help the patient that they're trying to treat. So it's really just the time management and being creative about getting in with the right customers at the right time to present your message. Also, being able to adapt to the pharmaceutical world is kind of legal change and restructuring into just that very rapidly evolving environment.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Loyalty is very important. Compassion. And having a faith-based center, it doesn't have to, you know, I don't, it doesn't matter which religion, but knowing that there is definitely an ultimate power greater than us in having faith. And family's very important to me, too. Quality time with my family.
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