Katherine Tieu: Elevate Your Pharmacy Career
By: Katherine Tieu, PharmD, PGY1 Managed Care Resident
Residency is not just a year of long hours and intense learning; it is where I built a foundation of knowledge and forged a diverse skillset that equips me to excel in any professional role. Through the various challenges and opportunities during residency, I feel well-prepared to be a versatile and adaptable asset anywhere I go.
Be Confident and Sell Yourself
They say one year of residency is worth up to three to five years of experience, and I can attest to that. The monthly rotation schedule, combined with longitudinal experiences, has challenged me to be flexible and constantly improve my time management skills. These are just a few of the soft skills I have developed this year. In terms of hard skills, I have strengthened provider relationships, created a prior authorization algorithm, improved employer-specific quality measurement performance and more. Additionally, I have had numerous opportunities to enhance my public speaking abilities by presenting my work across various settings and audiences.
This is only a small portion of what I have achieved during my residency. I have accomplished more than I ever anticipated in one year, surpassing many of my initial goals and expectations. As I search for the next step in my career, I recognize the importance of highlighting these achievements and the unique value I bring. Although one year is short, the residency has allowed me to develop a robust skill set and provided me opportunities to make a meaningful impact. Therefore, I can confidently showcase my capabilities to position myself as a strong candidate to succeed in any professional role.
Network!
One thing I constantly heard during my residency was, “The pharmacy world is small, and the managed care pharmacy world is even smaller” and I can whole-heartedly say that is the truth. In one year, I have learned how interconnected managed care is across various organizations and practice settings and how essential networking is for professional development. Being a new practitioner is daunting; your network is small and, creating new connections is a tough skill to master. As a first step, I tapped into the Premera past resident network and was quickly connected with diverse managed care professionals. From there, my network grew exponentially as one person led to another. Special shoutout to the Northwest Affiliate- I have met countless amazing professionals through it and it has been a great source of support and guidance.
In reflection, I have learned the importance of networking, especially in the early stages of a career. It provides opportunities to gain new perspectives, learn from others’ career journey and build life-long relationships. Moreover, being well-connected can open doors to new opportunities and help build a strong professional reputation. Professionals are always happy to share their experiences and support others, making networking an invaluable tool for growth and success.
Embrace Lifelong Learning
Lifelong learning and mentorship are critical to professional growth and giving back to the profession. I feel fortunate to have met so many great mentors who have significantly influenced my career, and I recognize that I would not be where I am today without their guidance and support. Their wisdom and encouragement have been invaluable, inspiring me to pay it forward. I encourage others to take on the role of a mentor, whether it be as a formal preceptor or participating in a conference buddy program. By sharing your expertise and experiences, you can help shape the next generation of rising pharmacists. Lastly, forming new connections is important, but maintaining the relationships is key to professional growth.