P1 to Pharma: What You Should Be Doing Now

Author: Bavly-Mina Hani, PharmD 

Views are my own and do not reflect my employer.

---

In the Spring semester of my P1 year, Joe Fiore, PharmD gave a lecture in my Introduction to Pharmaceutical Industry course that stuck with me.

At the very end of his presentation, he shared a simple but powerful rhetorical question: “What can you do now?”

For many P1s and early pharmacy students, the path into industry can feel unclear. But the reality is that there are tangible steps you can take early on to position yourself.

I’ve included the original slide he shared below. I remember using this list as a personal checklist throughout my pharmacy schooling, going back to it often and checking off experiences as I completed them.

Credit to Joe Fiore, Spring 2022

A few things I learned from actually going through this:

You don’t need everything. I didn’t check every single box, and most people don’t. The goal is to build a strong combination of experiences, not to be perfect.

Some of these are easier to start than others. Clinical research, leadership, and volunteering are often more accessible early on compared to industry internships.

CROs and medical writing are underrated. These are real entry points that many students overlook.

Networking ties everything together. Almost every opportunity on that list becomes easier when you know the right people.

And I would add a few more points to the checklist:

• Leadership experience — Student organizations, launching initiatives, or creating something independently through your own vision and initiative

• Entrepreneurial mindset — Building, creating, innovating, and solving problems proactively

• Volunteer involvement — Especially experiences that demonstrate leadership, initiative, service, and measurable impact

• Collaboration & teamwork — Working effectively with others, leveraging diverse strengths, and contributing to shared goals

With fellowships and entry-level industry roles becoming increasingly competitive, it is no longer enough to rely solely on academics. You need to be intentional about building a combination of experiences.

None of these guarantees a position, but they significantly increase your chances. Especially networking.

The earlier you start, the more momentum you build.