My entry into the world of pharmacy was not standard. My interest started in high school, when I attended a pharmacy open house at the University of Minnesota. I had planned to go to a 0- to 6-year PharmD program but ended up attending a 4-year college in my home state. Four years later, I graduated with a triple major in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, and sociology/anthropology, and most of my pharmacy prerequisites. While I thought pharmacy was interesting and I wanted to help people, I was a bit grossed out by bodily fluids and hospitals. So, I took a detour and joined Teach For America.

Preparing for the NAPLEX and MPJE is a daunting task given the importance of passing those exams and the difficulty of studying while on rotations, working full-time, and/or preparing for postgraduate life. As I was in your shoes not too long ago, I want to share some advice for when it’s your time to take the big exams.

As a student pharmacist or a first-year pharmacy resident, it is challenging to assess the postgraduate path needed to achieve one’s career goals. Determining if additional training beyond the first residency year is the next best step can be one of the most challenging decisions that pharmacy residents face. 

“Just be yourself.” How many times have you heard this interviewing tip?

You may have thought about working as a pharmacy technician during pharmacy school. It can be a difficult decision to make, but there are numerous benefits to working in such a position. Here are some of the highlights I found after starting to work in community pharmacy.