A Message to New Graduates: What I Wish I Had Known
Congratulations new graduates!
I know when you started this journey four years ago this day seemed very distant and now here we are, though this day may look a little different than you had planned. I know you are all making the most of it and ready to dive in to the next chapter.
Transitions are exciting but they can also present challenges as you adapt to a new normal, routine and really are trying to find yourself in the professional world.
My message to you would be:
1. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself in your first job. We often expect our perfect job to appear right away especially after all of this schooling, but really it takes work and time to refine our knowledge and experience into a meaningful career. Your experiences will lead you down the right path if you stay open and dive into your current job with the expectation to wholeheartedly learn everything you can.
2. Second of all, don't be afraid to be a trailblazer! Our profession needs new people pushing the envelope and expanding our practice. There are a lot of things going on in the world right now, and a lot of things are changing. Don't be afraid to be that voice who moves forward, branches out of traditional roles, creates a group or fills an unmet need. You can use your medical knowledge for so many new things as social media and online services become more popular. So the sky's the limit!
3. Prioritize wellness, starting with nutrition. Really, my whole wellness message and journey with The Pharmacist’s Guide started after I got really burnt out as a new practitioner, and it's easy for me to go back now and see what I should have done. As far as wellness, I definitely pushed myself by picking up extra shifts and taking on too much. Eating on the go, late nights and sporadic exercise all contributed to eventual exhaustion. When we are not nourishing our body appropriately, our focus, energy and mood all falter. Take the time to meal plan, stay away from processed foods and cut out sugary drinks. Those are all good first steps – your body will thank you!
4. Don’t spend your paycheck all in one place. Nope, don’t do it. If you can live like a student for the next few years and save a big portion of your paycheck, DO IT! I get it, you want to celebrate, take a big trip or make a big purchase and you definitely should. Just be mindful of your long-term financial goals, your student loans, etc…. Saving more early in your career will get you ahead of the game down the road.
5. Exercise. Not only does exercise help you manage your stress and moods better, it is great for your cardiovascular and overall health! People who make time to exercise thirty minutes a day a few times a week are more productive and report that they can manage their stress better. Go to an exercise class, take a run or walk your day. Make it a priority and fit it into your schedule.
6. Keep up with people! One of my favorite parts of pharmacy school was the wonderful connections that I made. Your network is part of this! Ten years later, I still keep in touch with many of my fellow students, professors and preceptors. Update your LinkedIn profile and do not be afraid to reach out to people in your industry (or in the industry you want to be in!). I have relied on my network many times when doing RFPs for new technology, developing a medication use process or looking at performance improvement initiatives. You never know who your next opportunity will come from. Staying active and friendly on these sites may open new doors.
7. Nurture your relationships. Along with #6, not only are your professional relationships important, but also your personal relationships. Keep up with your relationships as they are your support system and will get you through the tough times. Your work will always be there, but people usually need some quality time – you get what you give. Whether it is your significant other, children, friends, family members or coworkers. These relationships will ground you and bring you back to what is important when you are stressing about work.
8. Learn ways to handle your stress. When you are in a stressed out state, it is actually very hard to see the big picture and your thoughts often create negative patterns that can contribute to your state. New practitioners are often more prone to burnout because of factors such as less-developed resilience, stress management and communication skills. Be aware of your triggers and what you can do to help decrease them. For me, that is exercise, learning to ask for help before I get overwhelmed and having a good support system (aka friends) to lean on.
9. It’s not personal. Things are going to go wrong at work, you are going to make a mistake, or a patient will become upset at factors that are likely beyond your control. Known when an apology is warranted and do it genuinely. Being authentic will get you much farther than being defensive. And be courageous enough to understand that these instances do not represent your worth – they aren’t personal!
10. You CAN create the job you want. Yes, you can. It may not be your first job, or your second? But continue to develop your skills, work on yourself and connect with your network. You never know when an opportunity will come up. It took me many years and several job changes to find my niche. By staying open and continually growing myself, I was able to recognize the opportunity when it came.
Now, go conquer the world!