A Transformative Internship: Gaining the Skills as I transition from PharmD to MD
When I began my internship with RxPharmacist, I expected to gain exposure to pharmacy law education and content development. I had no idea how profoundly immersive, difficult, and career-changing the experience would be. This position was much more than a typical internship. It allowed me to make a significant contribution to actual products used by pharmacy students and pharmacists getting ready for licensure while also requiring independent judgment, accuracy, creativity, and accountability.
One of the most significant features of this internship was the responsibility I was given from the start. I was given control over significant parts of the New Jersey MPJE guide instead of being given isolated or low-stakes assignments. This involved going over the entire guide in two main stages, finding any out-of-date or irrelevant material, adding state laws that were updated starting in January 2025, and making sure that each revision was precise, well-written, and pedagogically sound. I had to thoroughly study the statutes and regulations of the New Jersey Board of Pharmacy while working through the guide. Additionally, I had to explain complicated legal terms to students in a way that they could grasp without oversimplifying the law.
I discovered how much consideration goes into good educational design as a result of this process. Correct content was not enough; it also needed to be visually readable, logically structured, and easy to understand for students who were studying for an exam. In order to help students gradually gain understanding, I started paying close attention to structure, formatting consistency, margin requirements for print publication, icon usage for counseling and warning points, and the general flow of topics. My attention to detail has improved as a result of this experience, which also taught me how minor formatting or organizational choices can have a significant impact on how well information is absorbed.
I was in charge of developing new assessment materials in the form of unique MPJE-style questions with thorough answer explanations in addition to updating the written guide. Compared to studying for the test, writing these questions required an entirely different set of skills. By anticipating common misconceptions, creating distractions that assessed comprehension rather than rote memorization, and creating explanations that taught fundamental legal concepts even when the student chose the wrong response, I had to think like both an examiner and an instructor. My understanding of pharmacy law has greatly increased as a result of this process, and I am now better able to explain complicated ideas.
Making New Jersey MPJE mini-lectures was a significant part of my internship. In order to make sure that my lectures addressed actual problems rather than hypothetical ones, I carried out independent research to determine subjects that students have historically found difficult. I did this by consulting forums like Reddit and Student Doctor Network. After that, I created several PowerPoint slide shows from the ground up, organized each lecture with specific learning goals, and improved the material through feedback before filming. Recording the lectures required careful attention to pacing, clarity, and engagement, which are skills that are essential for effective teaching but are rarely emphasized in traditional coursework. I became more confident in my ability to speak about pharmacy law and conduct myself professionally on camera as a result of this process.
Along with written and video-based instructional content, I had the opportunity to work on digital outreach and podcast production. I created five podcast scripts on unique subjects that RxPharmacist had not previously addressed, making sure that each episode contained the proper citations, factual accuracy, and enough substance to sustain a 15-20 minute discussion. The majority of the work went into fact-checking, refining arguments, and forming the scripts into coherent, captivating narratives, even though AI tools were employed as part of the workflow. This taught me the importance of responsible AI use in professional settings, not as a shortcut, but as a starting point that still requires human judgment and expertise.
In parallel, I worked with Brevo to automate podcast-related email campaigns, learning how educational content is not only created but also distributed and marketed to reach its intended audience. Understanding how pharmacists and students engage with content outside of the classroom gave me valuable insight into the business and communication side of pharmacy education.
Throughout the internship, I consistently felt supported while also being held to high standards. Feedback was specific and actionable, and I was encouraged to revise my work until it met professional expectations. This balance of independence and mentorship helped me develop confidence in my abilities while also reinforcing the importance of revision, adaptability, and continuous improvement. I learned how to manage long-term projects with multiple deadlines, communicate progress clearly, and take responsibility for deliverables that had real-world impact.
Most importantly, this internship reshaped how I view my role as a future pharmacist. It reinforced that pharmacists are not only clinicians but also educators, advocates, and contributors to public trust in the healthcare system. Through creating law-based educational resources, I saw firsthand how clear, accurate information empowers students to practice ethically and confidently. Knowing that my work could directly support someone preparing for one of the most stressful exams of their career was incredibly motivating.
This experience also strengthened my professional identity. I became more comfortable working with ambiguity, more confident in making editorial decisions, and more skilled at translating complex information for diverse audiences. The skills I gained, including legal analysis, instructional design, public speaking, project management, and digital communication, are ones I will carry forward into my future training and career.
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of RxPharmacist in such a meaningful way. This internship was not simply about completing tasks; it was about contributing to something larger, learning how high-quality educational resources are built, and growing into a more capable and confident professional. I would wholeheartedly recommend this experience to any pharmacy student who wants to challenge themselves, build tangible skills, and make a real impact.
Dhristi R., Rutgers University PharmD Class of 2026
Dhristi is a PharmD class of 2026 graduate from Rutgers University. Following graduation, she will be continuing her training in medicine at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She has a diverse experience across the pharmaceutical industry, clinical research, leadership, and both retail and hospital pharmacy settings.
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