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Hey-o Fellow Misfit PharmDs!

It’s the last newsletter of the year, so let’s crank the heat to keep you warm on a chilly December morning.

Last week, as I was reviewing applications for our upcoming PharmD career database (PharmD HQ), something struck me: everyone kept using the same phrase - “I want a non-traditional pharmacy role.” But as I dug deeper into their actual goals, I realized they were describing wildly different things.

• One PharmD wanted to work remotely while staying clinical.
• Another dreamed of joining a tech startup.
• Another is aiming to be a clinical scientist in the pharmaceutical industry

Three “non-traditional” paths……but about as similar as comparing a jalapeño to a Carolina Reaper!

This got me thinking about how we talk about career transitions. We’ve created this false binary: you’re either in a “traditional” role (retail/hospital) or you’re “non-traditional.” But that’s like saying all food is either “bland or spicy” - it completely misses the delicious spectrum in between!

This oversimplified thinking might be getting in the way of finding your perfect career fit.

✔️ Maybe you’re interested in making a change but feel overwhelmed by what seems like a massive leap into the “non-traditional” unknown.

✔️Or maybe you’ve tried a “non-traditional” role that didn’t fit, and now you think the whole category isn’t for you.

Time to spice things up (pun absolutely intended) with a more nuanced way to think about career transitions. Introducing…

The PharmD Career Spice Scale 🌶️

Just like with food, career transitions come in different heat levels. And just like your spice tolerance, your career “heat tolerance” can change over time. Let’s break it down:

Level 1 (Mild) 🌶️: Pushing Boundaries Within Pharmacy

• Still recognizably “pharmacy” but with an innovative twist
• Examples: Remote clinical services, specialty pharmacy consulting, independent pharmacy ownership
• Perfect for: Testing the waters without a complete overhaul
• Risk Level: Familiar territory with a fresh perspective

Level 2 (Medium) 🌶️🌶️: Breaking the Mold - Adjacent Roles

• One foot in pharmacy, one foot in something new
• Examples: Medical writing, healthcare technology, pharmaceutical industry roles
• Perfect for: Leveraging your PharmD while exploring new territories
• Risk Level: Comfortable stretch with familiar touchpoints

Level 3 (Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️: Full Healthcare Innovation Mode

• Completely new role, but still in healthcare
• Examples: Digital health startups, healthcare consulting, venture capital
• Perfect for: Major career pivot while using healthcare knowledge
• Risk Level: Significant change with transferable expertise

Level 4 (Extra Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️: Complete Transformation

• Taking your PharmD skills to entirely new industries
• Examples: Tech entrepreneurship, documentary filmmaking, professional speaking, life sciences consulting
• Perfect for: Those ready to completely reimagine their career
• Risk Level: Full reinvention (with your PharmD as a secret weapon)

Here’s the Cool Part: Your Spice Tolerance Changes!

Let me share my own spice journey (because who doesn’t love a good food metaphor?):

Early Career (Mild) 🌶️ Fresh out of school, I was all about that stable retail pharmacy life. Why? I had specific goals: buy a house, start a family, work part-time as I had my four little boys. Traditional retail was perfect for that phase - like starting with mild salsa when you’re new to Mexican food.

Mid-Career (Medium) 🌶️🌶️ Four years ago, I was ready to kick it up a notch. With a stable foundation built, I ventured into pharmacogenomics consulting. Think of it as moving up to medium sauce - different enough to be exciting, familiar enough to be comfortable.

Current Chapter (Extra Hot) 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now? I’m running full speed into entrepreneurship. I’ve built the financial cushion, a successful portfolio, and the confidence to handle the heat. It’s like discovering you actually love ghost peppers!

But Here’s What’s Really Important…

Your spice journey might look completely different - and that’s perfect! Maybe you’re:

• The Bold Graduate: Coming out of school ready for Level 4 heat, diving straight into innovation
• The Gradual Heat-Seeker: Like me, slowly building up your tolerance over time
• The Spice Adventurer: Bouncing between levels as different opportunities excite you

There’s no “right” progression. The beauty of today’s career landscape is that you can adjust your heat level as your life circumstances and goals change.
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What matters is that your career serves YOUR life, not someone else's highlight reel. Maybe you need mild salsa while raising young kids, extra hot while building something new, and medium when you find that perfect balance. Or maybe you're ready to jump straight into the fire! Your path might zigzag between heat levels as your life evolves – and that's not just okay, it's actually ideal.

Think about it: Would you eat the same level of spicy food every day for 30 years? Probably not! So why should your career stay at the same heat level? The most successful PharmDs I know aren't the ones who found the "perfect" path right away – they're the ones who gave themselves permission to evolve.

Thinking About Non-Traditional Careers Less All-Encompassing

The old binary of “traditional vs. non-traditional” doesn’t serve us anymore. It’s like saying food is either “bland or spicy” - there’s so much delicious middle ground!

Instead of asking “Should I go non-traditional?” try:

• “What level of change am I ready for right now?”
• “How much uncertainty can I handle at this phase of my life?”
• “What flavor of innovation excites me most?”

Your Career Heat Check

Ask yourself:

1. What’s my current spice tolerance for career change?
2. What factors might increase or decrease my tolerance in the next few years?
3. What’s one level up from where I am now? (Remember: you can always add more heat, but it’s harder to cool things down!)

Remember: The goal isn’t to reach the highest heat level - it’s to find the right spice level for YOUR life right now.

Next year (2025!), we’ll dive deeper into specific roles at each heat level and how to test your tolerance before making a big move.

With grit and gratitude (and maybe some milk for the extra spicy careers 🥛),

Jamie

P.S. I haven't forgetten about last week's promised article: the framework for running career micro-experiments that cost nothing but tell you everything. I'll write it in-full in January

P.S.S. Interested in the PharmD HQ resource? Register your interest by clicking that bright orange button below to join the official waitlist and start getting traction in your non-traditional PharmD role search👇🏻 It launches 2 weeks from today on January 1st and will only be available until January 6th. 👇🏻

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