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Pharmacy Careers
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The process teaches resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness.
The fellowship application process can feel overwhelming at first, with so many moving parts and uncertainties. With the right preparation and mindset, it becomes a structured and rewarding experience. As I navigated this process, I gained valuable insights that I wish I had known from the start. By sharing what I’ve learned, I hope that other pharmacy students will feel more prepared and confident.
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Pursuing a fellowship wasn’t always a part of my plan, but as I progressed through pharmacy school, I became increasingly drawn to the opportunities it offered. Through diligent research, networking, and self-reflection, I ultimately secured a fellowship that aligned with my goals and aspirations, setting the stage for my future in the pharmaceutical industry. In my early years of pharmacy school, I thought my path was already set until a series of conversations and experiences reshaped my vision. A postdoctoral fellowship isn’t just another step in training: It’s a transformative experience that provides PharmD graduates with hands-on industry exposure, skill development, and the chance to explore diverse career paths.
I began seriously considering medical affairs fellowships during my P3 year after speaking with a medical science liaison at a networking event hosted by my university’s Industry Pharmacists Organization. She shared a story about a physician who hesitated to prescribe a new treatment, unsure how it would translate from clinical trials to real-world settings. She walked a patient through the data, answered their questions, and connected them with experts who had seen success with the therapy. Months later, the physician reached out—the patient had responded better than expected, improving their quality of life.
That conversation stuck with me. Medical affairs wasn’t just about data; it was about giving providers the confidence to make informed decisions that directly impacted patient care. I knew I wanted to be part of that, but while I was drawn to the field, I still had a lot of questions.
What exactly did these fellowships entail? Where would I fit in? How could I best leverage my strengths? I spent months exploring different roles, seeking advice from industry professionals, and reflecting on what truly excited me. While I was passionate about pharmacy, I wanted to make an impact beyond direct patient care. I was drawn to opportunities that shaped health care by driving drug development, medical strategy, and communication to reach broader patient populations. My experiences in managed care, medical communications, and scientific affairs introduced me to the many ways pharmacists contribute beyond traditional settings.
But one question kept resurfacing: What role would allow me to merge my scientific background with strategy, communication, and cross-functional collaboration?
After numerous conversations with fellows, mentors, and industry professionals, everything clicked. A fellowship wasn’t just a stepping stone but a structured opportunity to gain real-world industry experience, mentorship, and exposure to different areas of pharma. Instead of jumping straight into an industry role, I saw it as a chance to refine my career trajectory and expand my understanding before committing to a long-term path.
At the start of my fellowship search, I was convinced that name recognition mattered the most. I assumed the most well-known programs were automatically the best fit without stopping to consider what I actually wanted. This changed when I started talking to current fellows: Some thrived in smaller programs with close mentorship, whereas others valued the vast resources of larger companies. Hearing their experiences made me rethink my approach. Instead of chasing prestige, I needed to focus on programs that aligned with my goals, interests, and values.
Once I shifted my mindset, I needed a way to stay organized. I created a fellowship tracker to log key details, including program length, therapeutic areas, core responsibilities, deadlines, and contacts for fellows and managers. Having everything laid out helped me be more intentional with my applications and proactive in reaching out to key contacts. More importantly, it ensured I wasn’t spending time on programs that ultimately weren’t the right fit for me.
The interview process was a whirlwind of emotions, but I quickly learned that success wasn’t about memorized answers: It was about storytelling and presence. To tackle behavioral and case-based questions, I used the STARR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result, and Reflection) to structure clear and compelling responses.
One question caught me off guard: “Teach me anything in 60 seconds.” It had nothing to do with pharmacy, and it forced me to think quickly and engage the interviewer in a new way. At that moment, I realized the interview wasn’t just about my knowledge—it was about adaptability, communication, and how I carry myself under pressure.
Beyond preparing answers, I focused on understanding each company’s pipeline and innovation strategy, which allowed me to ask thoughtful questions that demonstrated genuine curiosity and my potential to contribute. Still, there were moments when I found myself grasping for the right words. One example is when I was asked, “Tell me about a time your integrity was tested.” I paused. It wasn’t because I lacked an example, but I wanted to frame my response to reflect my values without overexplaining or misrepresenting the situation.
That was when I realized the most important thing wasn’t delivering a flawless response; it was about being honest and authentic. My best interviews weren’t the ones in which I tried to craft the perfect answer. Instead, they were the ones in which I spoke confidently about my own experiences, even when they involved difficult decisions. A thoughtful pause and a genuine response were far more valuable than something rehearsed. Another key takeaway was that the support system I built through my peers, mentors, and industry professionals was crucial. They celebrated my wins, reassured me through setbacks, and reminded me why I started this journey in the first place.
I will never forget the moment I got the call. Becoming one of 925 fellows in the 2024 to 2025 cycle was an incredible honor and a testament to the perseverance, dedication, and passion that carried me through this journey.1 After months of preparation, interviews, and uncertainty, hearing the words “We’d like to offer you a fellowship” brought an indescribable mix of relief, excitement, and validation. The long nights of studying, the setbacks, and the moments of doubt all led to this, making it more than worth it.
Not everyone who goes through this process lands a fellowship, but that doesn’t make the journey any less valuable. The experience itself fosters growth—you build industry connections, learn to navigate professional conversations, and gain insights into career paths you may not have considered. Many candidates transition into industry roles through the relationships they’ve built, whereas others refine their goals and apply again, stronger than before. Regardless of the outcome, this process teaches resilience, adaptability, and self-awareness, skills that will serve you throughout your career.
Shruti Konala is a fourth-year PharmD candidate at the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy at St Joseph’s University, in Pennsylvania. She will be joining Neurocrine Biosciences in affiliation with the University of Southern California as a medical communications fellow upon graduation.
As I prepare to step into my fellowship, I know this is just the beginning. I want to challenge myself, take on projects beyond my comfort zone, and seek every opportunity to learn and grow. Most importantly, I hope to pay it forward. The support that I received throughout this journey shaped my success, and I want to offer the same encouragement and guidance to future applicants.
The fellowship application process is demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding. It pushes you to grow, reflect, and rise to the challenge. In the end, the experience prepares you for the career you set out to pursue—whether that path leads to a fellowship or takes you in a new direction.
