About 140 University of Otago students were inducted into the School of Pharmacy course at a white coat ceremony on Saturday.
The event marks the first year of pharmacy study for the students after their health science year.
For the first time, some were presented with their coats by family members from the profession.
Anika Durrheim (19) was accompanied on stage by grandfather Prof Hugo Durrheim.
It was a "huge honour" to have him there and his profession "definitely made a difference" in her career choice.
"I'd always looked up to the work he's done."
Ms Durrheim is originally from South Africa, but her family lives in Blenheim.
Prof Durrheim said it was a special moment as he received his white coat 52 years earlier.
The medically oriented family included doctors, dentists and nurses, which meant there were some graphic work conversations between them, he said.
"The other friends around the dinner table just keep quiet."
Student Charlotte McBrayer (19) was presented with her coat by her father, James McBrayer, who travelled from their home in Sydney for the ceremony.
She had always looked up to her father, she said.
"He got so excited when I asked him to come over here and do this."
She always knew she wanted to enter the medical field.
"I probably want to get more in the business side, eventually. I don't see myself working in a community pharmacy for the rest of my life."
Mr McBrayer, who now runs a medical device company, said he thought pharmacy study would be good for his daughter as it opened up a lot of choices.
School of Pharmacy dean Prof Carlo Marra said the ceremony began at Otago in 2012 and had evolved into a larger event.
"You want them to feel part of that broader profession."
