Before you graduate as a pharmacist, there is a lot that you can and need to do. It starts way before you graduate as well. If you haven’t started preparing for life after graduation, your final year should be focused on a handful of key requirements.
Last Year of Pharmacy School
In your last year of pharmacy school, you’ll be attending clinical rotations. This hands-on experience is crucial for your education and for setting you up for a successful career after graduation. There is a lot of opportunity for pharmacists but the field is becoming more competitive and landing a great job will depend on how well you prepare in advance.
Clinical Rotations/Internships
Maximize your time during clinical rotations. These experiences are designed to expose you to common scenarios for practice. Be involved and ask questions. Besides learning important skills, this will also be a great opportunity for you to network with professionals. It’s likely you will need them later for letters of recommendation.
Prepare for Licensure Exams (NAPLEX, MPJE, etc.)
Start Early: Begin studying for your licensure exams, such as the NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) and, if applicable, MPJE (Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination).
Explore Career Options
There are many different types of pharmacy careers available and different environments. If you haven’t decided on a path, this is the perfect time to start researching and talking to professionals in the field.
5 Types of Pharmacy Careers to Consider
Residency/Fellowship Application (if applicable)
If this is the path that you’re interested in, start researching early. Programs in clinical pharmacy, academia, or the pharmaceutical industry can be very different and require different skill sets.
Application Preparation: Prepare your PhORCAS (Pharmacy Online Residency Centralized Application Service) or fellowship applications.
Work on Certifications & Specialization
Additional Certifications: Obtain certifications such as Immunization Certification, Medication Therapy Management (MTM) certification, BLS/ACLS (Basic Life Support/Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support), or other relevant credentials.
Consider Board Certification: If you’re interested in pursuing a specialty in pharmacy (e.g., oncology, ambulatory care), think about how to position yourself for Board Certification (BCPS, BCACP, etc.).
Develop Soft Skills and Leadership
Soft skills and leadership training are applicable in every phase of your life. Learning how to interact and communicate as a team leader is massively important. Even if you’re managing anyone any time soon, being aware of the necessary skills and learning how to use them in real-life situations can never be taught too early or too little.
Don’t leave important tasks to the last minute. Most or all of your classmates will be preparing as well and potentially competing for the same jobs in your area. Focus on clinicals and getting an internship that will set you up for a job after graduation.
Lastly, build a professional portfolio
Keep your resume updated with your clinical experiences, soft skills, research projects, and certifications. You should also include organizations that you have been involved with. You may even want to secure some letters of recommendation however companies may ask that it be sent directly from the instructor.
Plan for Continued Education
You may not need continuing education right away but find a good resource that provides high-quality, evidence-based, information to further your knowledge.
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