Is Postgraduate Training Right for You? - Ep 67

Nearing the end of residency, current residents share advice for incoming residents on intimidating transitions to increased responsibility, managing projects and workload, and maintaining work-life balance.

Mentorship is one of the most powerful drivers of growth during residency, but what does it actually look like in practice? In this episode, ACCP postgraduate members share real experiences navigating mentorship throughout their PGY training. From finding the right mentor to building meaningful, lasting professional relationships, this conversation highlights how mentorship shapes confidence, clinical development, and long-term career direction. Whether you’re a student, resident, or early-career pharmacist, you’ll walk away with practical insights to help you make the most of mentorship.

In this episode, we talk about what it really means to get involved during residency and why it matters. Residents share their own experiences being part of organizations, taking on leadership roles, and finding ways to contribute outside of their clinical work. We touch on some of the common challenges like limited time, not knowing where to start, and feeling stretched between responsibilities. Most importantly, we focus on simple and realistic ways to get involved, build connections, and make your residency experience more meaningful. 

Our very own RAC members, Diego Benavides and Elma Abdulbaki, open up about burnout in pharmacy residency and postgraduate training - what it looks like, why it’s so prevalent, and how it can impact clinical performance and personal well-being. Through honest reflections and shared experiences, we explore common stressors like long hours, imposter syndrome, and high expectations. Most importantly, we discuss practical, realistic strategies to build resilience and protect your well-being throughout your pharmacy journey.

Dr. P. Brandon Bookstaver shares perspective on the different types of postgraduate training, reasons to pursue it, myths surrounding it, the future of the pharmacy profession, and other sage advice.

After two years of residency, PGY2 Marion Javellana shares important perspective for postgraduate trainees based on her experiences.

Dr. Omar El Khatib shares his experience as a pharmacy trainee in Abu Dhabi. Learn about the differences in pharmacy practice and residency training between the United States and Abu Dhabi.

Current PGY2s, Hannah Ayers and Rowan Rosewarne, share everything you need to know about the Match - Important information to know both before and after you submit your rankings.

Dr. Duncan Dobbins, Postdoctoral Fellow in Health System Science at Geisinger, shares great perspective on basic statistics for use in performing and evaluating research.

Hear from current residents about how to prepare for and thrive during residency interviews and the match process.