2025 resolutions: Life after the PharmD
Roswell Cole is a final-year PharmD and MPH candidate at The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy.
Throughout pharmacy school, many student pharmacists may look to the final year as a year of lower stress. While the lack of exams is a relief, the pressure is still there! As I move into the new year, I am excited to wrap up my APPEs and look toward graduation. My next few rotations are in association management, a pediatric ICU, and then I’ll finish off the year at a Veterans Affairs clinic. I’ve completed one APPE in association management at APhA and fell in love with this area of the profession, so I’m very excited to learn more.
I’m also looking forward to finishing up pharmacy school and seeing what life looks like on the other side of the degree.
Interview season
Likely similar to many of my colleagues, this coming year comes with fellowship/residency applications and interviews. I’ve always enjoyed interviews, so I think this will be a good time for me to take a look at what I’ve accomplished—and struggled through—over the past 4 years.
For those also considering applying to these opportunities, I offer a piece of advice I was recently given that had a strong impact on me. These interviews are not just a Q&A on your experience; they’re also your opportunity to look at the programs beyond the paper. Make sure to ask questions about their current participants, what they have gone on to do after completing the program, and perhaps even reach out to them and connect.
At the end of the application process, take a serious look at what you hope to gain and be sure to take stock of what you’ve accomplished. You’ve done hard work this year, so take a moment to celebrate yourself!
Future plans
As we move into 2025, I’m excited to think about my resolutions for the coming year. The new year will be an opportunity to build a post-school life for myself, and I’m excited to see what this holds for me. I look forward to growing my connection to my faith, possibly learning new skills, and discovering what opportunities exist for PharmD graduates in a modern economy.