Getting the best as an intern

“MY ADVICE for all interns is to have a plan A, a plan B and potentially even a plan C – you want to broaden your horizons to all possibilities,” Khanh Nguyen, National Intern Training Program & Vaccination Manager at the Australasian College of Pharmacy (ACP), told delegates at the Pharmacy Careers Summit 2025.

With final year pharmacy students starting to look for intern positions next year, the panel on Setting yourself up for a successful intern year provided valuable advice.

Nguyen launched the session with what to consider when applying for an intern position.

She suggested prospective interns consider where they will be living, whether they are willing to relocate to a regional or remote area, or even go interstate, where they might have to adapt your learnings to different legislation.

The preceptor, an intern’s nominated supervisor, “will be your biggest asset throughout your internship”, Nguyen said.

“You want to ensure that they are going to provide you a safe and productive learning environment, and they’re going to make a world of difference overall to your internship,” she added.

As such, Nguyen said, it is important to understand what the preceptor’s expectation of an intern is and ask some questions: has the preceptor supervised an intern before; what are the intern’s duties; and what are their expectations of the intern?

“Don’t be afraid to ask for a position description, which might give you some more clarity on the role itself,” she advised.

“And if you’re provided an interview opportunity, don’t be afraid to interview them as well.”

Having obtained and started settling into an intern position, Emily Thorp, PSA’s Acting Manager Training and Assessment, suggested interns “find their pace, get into the rhythm and look after themselves”, noting that for many, it might be their first full-time job.

“And then start working on increasing the level of responsibility – talk to your preceptor not just about what level you’re currently at, but how to achieve that next level,” Thorp said.

Leon Yap, President of Professional Pharmacists Australia, recommended interns become familiar with the award or agreement they will be covered by in their new workplace, and the minimum pay and conditions they will be entitled to.

Interns should expect regular feedback, both formal and informal, said Ben Emery, Intern Program Manager at Monash University.

He also sought to assure interns that it “is not a judgement of who you are – it’s an opportunity to shape who you’re becoming as a pharmacist” and best approached with curiosity, not defensiveness.