Building my path in pharmacy: The power of being involved
Yara Al-Shaer is a 2024–2025 APhA education fellow in Washington, DC.
“I want to be like my mother when I grow up” was always my response whenever someone asked about my future goals. My mom, a dedicated community pharmacist, inspired me from an early age. As a 5-year-old who knew little about pharmacy, I only knew that I wanted to be like her. As I grew up, I began to truly understand the role of pharmacists and their impact on the community. It became clear that I, too, would pursue a career in pharmacy.
Years later, being accepted into pharmacy school and beginning my journey felt like a full-circle moment, especially with my mother watching me graduate.
The start of my journey
When I started pharmacy school at MCPHS University in Boston, I wasn’t sure which student organizations to join. That’s when I discovered APhA–ASP, which became an invaluable part of my experience. Through APhA–ASP, I joined patient care chapters and attended outreach events that exposed me to the many possibilities available to student pharmacists. This experience helped me identify the areas I enjoyed most, connect with supportive colleagues, and advocate for our profession—a crucial task as pharmacy continues to evolve.
Two of my favorite APhA–ASP events are the Boston Marathon and the “De-stress with Dogs” event, held twice a year. The Boston Marathon holds a special place in my heart, as it brings people from across the country together, allowing us to support runners and engage with the community in a meaningful way. Meanwhile, the “De-stress with Dogs” event highlights the importance of self-care and mental health, reminding us that while pharmacy school can be intense, it’s vital to find activities that help us unwind.
Choosing the APhA fellowship
When I began pharmacy school, I didn’t fully understand the range of practice settings that pharmacists could work in. However, as I became more involved and met professionals from diverse practice settings—especially during clinical rotations—I realized that pursuing postgraduate training was the right path for me. I knew I wanted a role in which I could use my clinical skills alongside my creativity, and my involvement with APhA–ASP opened my eyes to opportunities in association management.
The APhA education fellowship fit my goals perfectly, allowing me to advocate for the profession by creating educational materials for pharmacists, students, and pharmacy technicians. This role gives me the chance to work with subject matter experts to develop high-quality content while exploring my creative side. Reading the job description, I knew this fellowship would be an ideal professional and personal match. Four months into my role as an education fellow, I’m confident I made the right choice. So far, I’ve created and reviewed content, developed surveys, collaborated with pharmacy leaders, and worked with experts to produce impactful educational resources.
APhA is recruiting for the 2025–2026 fellowship cohort now, so find out what the program is all about.
Boba walks: A personal ritual
If there’s one thing I’ve learned through school and work, it’s the importance of self-care. To take care of others, you have to take care of yourself first, and finding a hobby that makes you happy is essential. For me, “boba walks” have become a key part of my well-being. I love going on walks—currently, my favorite place is along the Potomac River, which provides a therapeutic break. Stopping at my favorite boba shop is part of the ritual, and I’m on a mission to try new places and rank them.
Staying mentally refreshed is crucial to staying productive and avoiding burnout, and my boba walks give me that much-needed pause, helping me return to work with a clear mind!