The Intentional Fellow: Leading Through Chaos with Checklists and Curiosity

Jessica Priya Saini, PharmD
Aug 4
5 min read

Views are my own and do not reflect my employer.

When I started my journey toward pharmaceutical industry fellowships, I assumed there was a secret roadmap I was missing. I thought everyone else had a perfect, color-coded plan for their CV, their networking strategy, and their post-graduation life. I spent hours scrolling through LinkedIn, feeling like I was trying to solve a puzzle while missing half the pieces. It wasn’t that I was behind—it was simply that I didn’t know which resources were available or how to leverage the ones I had to build a path that made sense for me. I felt like I was running a race where I was handed a map without a legend.

But I was wrong about the secret roadmap—because the path isn't linear, and that’s the point.

The industry isn't just looking for students who have memorized everything. They want people who can learn quickly, think on their feet, and communicate their intentions. These are skills you can start building right now, long before you even hit submit on your first application. You don’t need to be born with a special talent for organization; you just need to know how to build your own toolkit.

1. Organizing the Chaos

There is a total misconception that being organized is an innate trait you’re born with. It’s not. It’s just about having the right systems in place. When I first started looking into fellowships, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information - deadlines, networking events, application requirements, and the constant flow of advice from peers.

I didn’t need to fix myself; I needed to upgrade my operating system. Inspired by Atul Gawande’s The Checklist Manifesto, I realized that complex work requires reliable systems. I started building trackers for everything: fellowship deadlines, networking contacts, and project deliverables.

Think of it as your external hard drive. By offloading the "when" and the "who" onto a tracker, you free up your brain to do the actual work: being creative, present, and strategic. A checklist doesn’t make you less capable; it makes you someone who can be counted on. Start a tracker today. If you can handle the logistics now, you won't sweat the big responsibilities later. Your future team will love you for it, and honestly, your own sanity will thank you.

2. Networking as a Resource

Networking often gets a bad rap as a stiff, awkward performance. We think we have to nail a flawless 30-second elevator pitch or have a groundbreaking answer to "Why industry?" ready at a moment's notice. But let's be real: people want to connect with other people, not a walking, talking résumé.

Networking is simply the art of building a community. When I shifted my mindset from I need to impress them to I’m curious about their journey, everything changed. Skip the robotic script. Use honesty: “I’m still learning the ropes here, and I’d honestly love to hear how you got where you are.”

There is such a relief in letting go of that transactional vibe where every chat feels like a bid for a job. When you view networking as a resource for learning rather than a tool for extraction, you become much more authentic. People love sharing their stories. Stay in touch, send quick updates, and be the person who helps others out, just like those who helped you. Authenticity builds trust, and trust is the currency of the industry.

3. Turning Experiences into Leadership

Students often assume that if a role isn't explicitly titled Pharmacy Intern, it doesn't count. That couldn't be further from the truth. We tend to box our lives into professional and everything else, but the industry is hungry for raw, transferable leadership skills.

Teaching Punjabi folk dance taught me more about managing projects, motivating a team, and resolving conflict than any classroom ever could. I still vividly remember the chaos of our rehearsals—thirty dancers with totally different skill levels, music blasting, and a deadline for the performance. Keeping everyone moving in the same direction required logistics, quick empathy, and the ability to lead with presence.

Don’t just list your hobbies on your CV; explain the leadership that was happening behind the scenes. Whether it’s dance, a student club, or managing a social media page, you are practicing the exact skills pharma teams need: adaptability, collaboration, and drive. You’re already a leader in more ways than you think. You just need to learn how to translate those extra moments into the language of the professional world.

4. Leverage Your Tools (Yes, Even AI)

We have incredible tech at our fingertips, so why not use it? Don't be afraid to lean on modern tools. Use AI to run mock interviews, break down dense regulatory topics, or put together study guides. It shouldn't do your thinking for you—because your voice is what matters—but it is a killer way to help you prepare smarter and faster.

The goal isn't to take a shortcut; it's to be more productive so you have more time for the real work: reflecting on what you actually want and building genuine relationships. Use the tech to clear the path, so you can do the heavy lifting yourself.

The Action Plan: Your Roadmap for the Coming Weeks

Use this checklist to turn your ambitions into small, manageable actions. It’s okay if you feel overwhelmed; this list isn't meant to add stress—it’s here to give you those small, wins that prove you’re making progress:

Create a Master Tracker: Move all deadlines, contacts, and event notes into one central spot. Your brain is not a storage unit; make it a processing unit.
Curate Your Questions: Stop trying to sound smart and start being curious. Prepare three basic questions for your next event that focus on the person's journey rather than their job title.
Identify One Non-Pharmacy Strength: Look at your extracurriculars (dance, volunteering, coaching). Pick one core leadership skill (e.g., conflict resolution, logistics) and map out how you’d explain it in an interview.
Practice Data over Doubt: When you feel imposter syndrome, don't spiral. Write down the specific skill you feel you're missing, then find a resource to build it. Replace I'm not good at this with How do I learn this?
Check In, Don't Check Off: Reach out to one mentor or contact this week—not to ask for a favor, but to share a quick update or express genuine gratitude.

Final Thought

You don't need a perfect, pre-written roadmap to get started. You just need the humility to keep learning and the systems that work for you to keep you moving forward. It is completely normal to feel a bit lost, but remember that growth happens right in the middle of that uncertainty. Stay curious, build your systems, and keep showing up for yourself. You've got this.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be intentional.