Advice for the graduating class of 2025

Cristian Rodriquez, PharmD, is the 2024–2025 APhA Foundation executive fellow in Washington, DC.

First of all, congratulations to everyone in the 2025 graduating class! Take it from someone only a year removed from being in your shoes, it takes a lot to make it through pharmacy school, and you have made it. I urge each of you before starting the new job, heading to residency, or beginning that new fellowship to take time for yourself. Take that vacation you have been thinking of but never had time for, and binge watch that TV show that “I have to study” always was in the way of. Find yourself outside of the never-ending cycle of school and I assure you your mental health will be in a much better spot before starting the next chapter. 

Part of the message I want to relay to each of you is that while you have crossed the finish line of pharmacy school, it is only the end of chapter one in this story you are about to write within your lives and the pharmacy profession. Think about it: You have been in school since you were a toddler wearing Velcro shoes and now you are about to enter the “real world.” It can be intimidating, but one lesson I learned during pharmacy school was that APhA–ASP and the community this organization brings with its membership always had my back. Whether it was resources to study, fellowship with students from across the country, or outstanding conferences to feel a sense of belonging, APhA–ASP was always there.

The good news is, it can still be there for each of you as you graduate; you just have to make that decision to join or continue. This is not a membership pitch, but instead a plea from a colleague to stick with it and continue to help make APhA the place where all pharmacists belong. 

Continue the journey with your APhA Community

Here are my three reasons why graduating students need to stay a member of APhA. 

1. Career exploration via the new APhA Communities. These new 23 Communities are dynamic networks designed for pharmacists, researchers, new practitioners, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians to connect, collaborate, and grow together. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, networking opportunities, or insights to advance your career, the Communities provide the support and resources you need. You do not have to be an expert to be a member of a Community, meaning, you as a student pharmacist or me, a new practitioner who has no experience in diabetes management but wants to learn more, can join this Community and have outstanding access to do so.

2. Leadership opportunities for new practitioners. Within the new membership structure, each Community allows opportunity for a leadership position for new practitioners in addition to the leadership positions within the New Practitioner Community itself. Whether you are pursuing a health system residency, community pharmacy residency, or industry fellowship, APhA has a community of pharmacists working in your field and an opportunity for you to share your voice as a leader.

3. Networking that actually grows your network. Lastly, the draw to APhA for me has always been the networking and the people. As Juan Rodriguez, former APhA–ASP president, once shared with me, “People don’t join organizations; people join people.” Believe me when I say you do not want to miss the chance to meet and network with experienced APhA members, both in-person at meetings and virtually. Even beyond the business of networking, APhA membership has exposed me to some of my best friends in life, and I can forever say that membership dues were well worth that. 

So, now with that diploma in hand, it’s time to study and pass the NAPLEX and then head into that next chapter of your journey. As your colleague, I hope to see you connected with APhA.