Rishabh Jolly

What was your journey to getting a job after graduation?

After graduating from Birmingham, I chose to work as a locum pharmacist rather than taking a traditional permanent role straight away. That decision gave me exposure to a wide range of pharmacies, teams, and patient demographics early in my career. 

When the COVID-19 pandemic began, my role shifted significantly. I became heavily involved in managing and supporting COVID vaccination and testing sites, which was an intense but formative experience. This period made me realise how important adaptability and leadership are in healthcare, and it also sparked my interest in building something of my own. Using the experience and insight I gained on the frontline, I went on to set up and grow my own businesses, including a pharmaceutical distribution company and an online pharmacy.

What does a typical day in your current role look like?

No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my role. My day usually involves a mix of strategic, operational, and people-focused work.

In my director role, I lead the overall strategy and day-to-day operations of the business, with a focus on expanding our pharmaceutical distribution footprint across hospitals, clinics, and international markets. Alongside this, as the founder of an online pharmacy, I have been closely involved in building a patient-facing healthcare service from the ground up. This has involved navigating regulatory frameworks, developing clinical and operational processes, and integrating technology to deliver safe, compliant, and accessible care.

How do you feel your course helped to prepare you for your career?

The course gave me a really strong foundation in clinical knowledge, professionalism, and patient safety, which has been essential throughout my career. Understanding medicines, therapeutics, and how healthcare systems work meant that when I stepped into practice, I already had the core principles needed to make safe decisions. Beyond the clinical content, the course helped develop critical thinking and accountability. 

While no degree can fully prepare you for the realities of day-to-day work, the structure of the course, placements, and assessments helped me become comfortable with responsibility and continuous learning. 

Overall, the course didn’t just prepare me for my first job, it gave me a professional framework and way of thinking that I continue to rely on, even as my role has moved beyond traditional pharmacy practice.