I have been set on pursuing a career in pharmacy since age 14. I have a very “type A” personality, so I planned out my entire life from that point on with no plan B. Although this worked for me to a certain extent, I quickly found myself struggling to know for sure what I wanted to do after residency. Although I had interests in plenty of areas, I couldn’t truly call them passions. I made sure that when I started residency to ask for as much time in those potential areas of interest as possible. Part of that request led to an extended academic elective rotation for the entirety of September rather than just 2 weeks. I didn’t know it at the time, but it would become one of the best experiences of my entire residency year. My mentors had never seen my eyes light up the way they did when I talked about academia. However, although I’d found my passion, I had no idea how to break into the field of academic pharmacy.

I discovered academic fellowships as a potential avenue to develop my skills to prepare for an academic role. However, I was so focused during my pharmacy studies at the University of Illinois Chicago that I was completely unaware that they offered an academic fellowship. After meeting with the co-directors during ASHP Midyear to learn more information, I immediately returned to the hotel room to develop my application. I still remember sitting in the airport working on my teaching philosophy and contacting preceptors for letters of recommendation. I was excited but acknowledged that I was on an earlier timeline than my peers in applying for PGY2 programs. Although it was stressful compiling the application materials for both the fellowship and the Master of Health Professions Education (MHPE) program a couple of weeks before the due date, I was comforted by knowing that I would have a final decision much earlier as well. The interview was much longer than my residency interviews, and it was my first time interviewing in person since the COVID-19 pandemic. I knew most of my interviewers’ names from lectures as a student, but applying for a position in person as a pharmacist where these highly accomplished faculty would be my colleagues made me very nervous. The interview was from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., which was much longer than any of my prior residency interviews. Although it passed quickly, it was nerve-racking regardless.

I was elated to receive my offer in early February, well before my co-residents knew what they would do the next year. This relieved some of the pressure and anxiety many residents have closer to graduation. Similar to PGY2 positions, the fellowship started immediately after my PGY1 residency ended. The transition to fellowship was smoother overall than I had initially expected. The fellowship structure is less strict than residency, with more room to pursue research and projects within my own interests. The fellowship gave me the flexibility to complete the MHPE program simultaneously, so I had to adjust to being a student again. Thankfully, the fellowship team was supportive and positive. For example, the previous fellow helped orient me for a few days after his graduation, and my fellowship director was approachable and clarified any questions I had about tasks and expectations. So far, it has been an exciting 7 months with plenty of successes and learning opportunities. I’m gradually becoming the researcher and educator I want to be, and I cannot wait to see what the next 17 months will bring. I strongly encourage any resident or student interested in academia to explore academic fellowships. Although it may seem intimidating at first, these programs provide an incredible opportunity to shape the future of pharmacy education, mentor the next generation, and make a lasting impact on the profession.

Submitted by: Alexis Coffee, Pharm.D., Academic/Family Medicine Research Fellow, University of Illinois Chicago Retzky College of Pharmacy