Lauren Howell, PharmD, is a 2022–2023 APhA executive resident in Washington, DC.
While your time in pharmacy school comes with many exciting opportunities and chances to learn about the world of pharmacy, it can also come with a lot of pressure to determine what you want the next phase of your life to look like. During school, I tried to explore as many practice settings as possible, and I was determined to find one that felt like the perfect fit. But despite my efforts, I found myself in the middle of my last year confused and unsure of what the future would hold.
As part of a dual degree program at the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in health administration. My time in this program only added to my confusion. I realized I liked the administrative side of health care, but I didn’t want to leave pharmacy behind.
Then last year, I discovered the APhA Executive Postgraduate Training Program. Unsure of what exactly it would involve, I remained hopeful that the program would allow me to explore my interests outside of a traditional pharmacy setting. I still vividly remember the phone call when I found out that the executive resident in publishing position was being offered to me. I remember being unsure of what a pharmacist might do in publishing, worrying that my degree in pharmacy might feel like a waste, and feeling skeptical of my ability to write something that another pharmacist would want to read.
Before I even realized what I was agreeing to, I found myself accepting the offer.
A great fit
The next few months went by in a blur. I planned a June 2022 wedding in 4 months, graduated pharmacy school, continued working on my master’s degree, and moved from South Carolina to Washington, DC. Once I started the residency program, I quickly discovered that publishing was a great fit for both my interests and skill set. It gave me a chance to explore different areas of pharmacy, stay up-to-date on the latest news in the field, and work alongside subject matter experts. I also really enjoyed the world of association management and providing pharmacists with resources that would help them practice at the top of their license and provide outstanding patient care.
Now that the end of this residency year is in sight, I’m so glad that I took a risk and said yes to something that I was unsure of.
Comfortable with the uncomfortable
If I could go back in time and speak to the fourth-year PharmD candidate version of myself, I would encourage her to take more risks and become more comfortable with being in situations that feel uncomfortable. If you’re a student pharmacist who feels overwhelmed with options and unsure of what your future will look like, don’t allow yourself to be paralyzed by the pressure of the future. Be willing to take risks and try new things—before you know it, you might find yourself in the perfect position that you didn’t even know existed!