Exploring Non-Clinical Careers After PharmD: Yash Kiran Kamble on Medical Writing, IPASF, and Future Goals (Part-2)
In a time when pharmacy education is rapidly expanding beyond traditional roles, MedBound Times brings forward the journey of Yash Kiran Kamble, a final-year PharmD student at Dr. D. Y. Patil College of Pharmacy, Akurdi, Pune. From his early fascination with medicine to discovering a passion for medical writing, Yash has built a path that bridges clinical practice with healthcare communication.
Beyond academics, Yash has actively engaged in leadership and outreach, serving as the Sports Secretary at the Indian Pharmaceutical Association – Students’ Forum (IPASF), Pune, and coordinating large-scale health checkup initiatives. His clinical experience at Wada Rural Hospital, where he managed an outpatient department serving over 200 patients daily, provided him with valuable insights into patient care in resource-limited settings.
In Part-2 of this conversation with Sanghavi N. Deshpande of MedBound Times, Yash reflects on his multi-dimensional journey as a PharmD student—balancing academics, leadership, and writing. He discusses his evolution from clinical rotations to becoming an aspiring medical and scientific writer, the growing opportunities for PharmD graduates in non-clinical fields, and the importance of curiosity, networking, and adaptability in shaping a successful career in modern healthcare.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What are the challenges you've observed that students commonly experience, but which often go unaddressed or unspoken?
Yash Kiran Kamble: The need for a better education system is often overlooked, particularly within the Pharm D program. A significant issue is that, in many colleges, instructors are unfamiliar with the specific syllabus and teaching requirements for Pharm D students. Our curriculum is distinctly different from that of MBBS and B Pharm programs, necessitating innovative teaching methods and a relevant syllabus. The six-year degree begins with challenging and often alien subjects like anatomy, organic, and inorganic chemistry in the first year. This steep learning curve makes the first year exceptionally difficult for students, who are also often unaware of the relevant legal frameworks. Therefore, improvements to the education system are critically important and need greater attention.
A degree of support and freedom from faculty and the college is vital for student development. Specifically, granting students the liberty to explore different areas is crucial. First and second-year students, in particular, demonstrate great curiosity to learn but often lack the necessary freedom to pursue these interests. Increased autonomy would significantly aid their exploration and learning.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What are your professional goals for the next few years?
Yash Kiran Kamble: My goal for the next two to three years is to transition into Medical Affairs, beginning as a Medical Writer. Given my existing year and a half of experience as a Medical Writer, I plan to leverage this to start and then progress within the Medical Affairs career path. Ultimately, I aim to secure an MSL (Medical Science Liaison) or an executive MSL position by the time I am 27 or 28, provided the plan unfolds as anticipated.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: For PharmD students interested in exploring diverse career paths—be it clinical or non-clinical fields such as medical writing or research—what guidance would you offer? Specifically, what options are available, and what initial steps should they take to enter these areas?
Yash Kiran Kamble: My main piece of advice is to be the biggest extrovert you can be. Many students start their first and second years feeling shy and awkward, unsure of how to engage with others.
However, once you overcome that initial barrier and embrace your most extroverted self, you gain a wealth of information from people. I experienced this myself in my fifth year. When I joined IPASF and began talking to people, I realized that Pharm D is much broader than I initially thought.
There are numerous options beyond just clinical pharmacy or opening a store. We have over 50 different job profiles and positions you can pursue.
Therefore, my advice is twofold: be the most extroverted person you can be, and as I mentioned before, always be curious to learn.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: Considering you're an IPASF member, what was the process for joining? Also, could you provide a brief overview of what IPA is?
Yash Kiran Kamble: The pathway to joining the Indian Pharmaceutical Association Student Forum (IPASF) Pune is specific to Pune, if their respective city has IPASF they can join through that chapter which begins with an annual enrollment drive.
How to Join IPASF Pune:
Enrollment: Each year, a new mandate initiates an enrollment drive where students can register.
Membership: Registration requires a small fee, after which you become an official member.
Benefits: Membership offers numerous advantages, including free access to various events and opportunities to volunteer for major flagship events like the CP Summit.
The Value of Involvement:
My personal experience, as a host for last year's CP Summit and a volunteer for most flagship events, was highly beneficial. These experiences are invaluable for developing core skills:
Teamwork
Event Management
Communication and Professionalism
Executive Decision-Making under pressure
Such involvement is a true test of one's abilities, revealing hidden talents and helping members identify areas where they can excel.
Life as an IPASF Member:
Once you join IPASF, the journey becomes seamless and resource-rich:
Accessibility: Everything and everyone within the forum is accessible to you.
Networking: We host numerous meet-and-greet sessions and events, providing ample opportunities to connect with others, including on platforms like LinkedIn.
Support: The forum ensures all possible resources are made available to its members, making for a very straightforward and supportive experience.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What initially sparked your interest in medical writing? What was the catalyst for you to suddenly begin writing and considering a career in medical writing?
Yash Kiran Kamble: My love for writing wasn't sudden. It began with writing small stories, like little Avenger or Marvel tales. I knew I enjoyed writing and recognized that I possessed a strong vocabulary and good command of English, which encouraged me to pursue it.
The main drive, however, was realizing I had perspectives and opinions to share on specific subjects, making it essential for me to write them down.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: As a budding writer, how do you keep up with the constant scientific and medical advancements? Where do you find and access this essential, everyday information?
Yash Kiran Kamble: I don't typically check for updates daily, but I ensure I dedicate time each week to reading a research article. I focus on the latest research in biology, anatomy, biochemistry, and clinical research.
I also stay informed about the latest changes to guidelines, including GCP (Good Clinical Practice), UN pharmacy laws, and specific state laws.
My goal is to acquire new, relevant knowledge in my field every single week.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: If a first-year Pharm D student approaches you, feeling completely unsure about their decision and their future. What advice or guidance would you offer them in that moment of uncertainty?
Yash Kiran Kamble: For a first-year Pharm D student, the main advice is to relax and focus on studying. It's simply too soon to worry about long-term career certainty.
Even students nearing the end of their six-year degree haven't completely figured out their next steps, so expecting a first-year student to have a definite plan is nearly impossible.
Therefore, students should prioritize relaxing, studying, and enjoying the college experience. It's important to maintain a healthy social and personal life rather than stressing about the future. Finally, developing communication skills now will be beneficial later on.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: Based on your current career plan or situation, do you anticipate moving closer to clinical practice, or is your goal to fully transition into writing or explore a hybrid role?
Yash Kiran Kamble: Given my firsthand experience working in a hospital, I would prioritize non-clinical and writing-focused career paths. I am not interested in pursuing clinical aspects. My strong preference is to focus entirely on writing. While I am open to roles that combine writing with other responsibilities, my intention is to begin my career as a writer.
Sanghavi N. Deshpande: What is a piece of advice or message you would offer to students looking to maximize their Pharm D experience, ensuring they open all potential doors and progress in their careers?
Yash Kiran Kamble: The best piece of advice I can offer is to embrace extroversion. Don't be timid; initiate conversations and connect with people. If you have a question, simply ask. Direct your questions to anyone—your faculty, your seniors, or other professionals in your field. Overcoming the initial hesitation to ask is all it takes, and you will find the answer to every question.
