by Danielle Stubbs
Associate Director of Student Recruitment and Diversity
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
Current pharmacy practitioners are uniquely positioned to inspire and guide the next generation of pharmacists. But how can pharmacists actively participate in this mission? Whether through direct mentorship or community involvement, pharmacists can provide a first-hand account of what a career in pharmacy truly entails. Current pharmacy practitioners can spark interest in pharmacy as a rewarding career choice by sharing one’s own experiences, challenges, and successes.
Pharmacy Is Right For Me
The Pharmacy Is Right For Me campaign is a valuable tool for recruiting the next generation of pharmacists. Pharmacy Is Right For Me (also known as Pharm4Me) is an educational campaign that aims to inspire and foster the next generation of pharmacy leaders in the U.S. The campaign, hosted by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP), is intended to offer students, parents and educators a wealth of information. Some of the interactive tools and resources available include information on career pathways, outreach materials, real-life stories from student pharmacists and practicing pharmacists, and a monthly newsletter that offers insight on pharmacy careers and pharmacy school admissions. Pharm4Me’s most popular resource is the 100+ Pharmacy Career Pathways handout that showcases the endless career possibilities in pharmacy. By utilizing these resources, pharmacists can effectively communicate the value of the profession to high-school students, undergraduates, and pharmacy students and help them navigate the journey toward a pharmacy career.
Spreading the Word About Careers in Pharmacy
Through the Pharm4Me resources and conversations with potential future pharmacists, it is important to emphasize the impact pharmacists have on patient care, public health, and the healthcare system. Pharmacists share testimonials and examples of how they have made a difference in people’s lives, from preventing medication errors to managing chronic diseases.
Furthermore, many students may not realize the breadth of opportunities within pharmacy. By discussing different paths within the profession and explaining how a pharmacy career can be tailored to their passions and lifestyle, students can begin to envision their future career goals. With the help of the 100+ Pharmacy Career Pathways handout, one can easily explain the evolving role of pharmacists and the diverse environments in which they work, from community settings and inpatient care to biotech companies.
Introducing Board Certification
Introducing the concept of board certification, offered by the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (BPS), early in a student’s journey can help in setting long-term career goals. For many pharmacists, achieving board certification is a key career objective. However, not all student pharmacists may be formally introduced to the concept of certification as part of their education curriculum.
In addition to the tools offered in the Pharm4Me Campaign, BPS has developed the Student Pharmacist Toolkit to bridge the knowledge gap some students may have when discussing board certification. This toolkit is intended to help students, faculty, and other stakeholders to introduce the topic of board certification.
Beginning the conversation of board certification encourages students to think beyond their foundational education and training and consider how they might specialize. It is crucial to explain the value of specialization in today’s healthcare landscape as management of complex therapies and comorbidities increases in prevalence.
Board-certified pharmacists can play an important role in students understanding of board certification, as pharmacists with board certification can discuss their own experiences and the impact that certification has on their careers. In fact, there are several BPS-certified pharmacists who have contributed their stories to the Pharm4Me blog, including Dr. Linda Gutierrez-Miller, and Dr. Stephen Small. Sharing how certification has opened doors to new opportunities, increased job satisfaction, and enhanced their professional reputation serves as a great inspiration to aspiring pharmacists.
The role of current pharmacists in recruiting the next generation of practitioners cannot be overstated. By actively engaging with students and utilizing resources like pharmacyforme.org, pharmacists can help ensure that the future of the profession is bright, diverse, and filled with individuals who are passionate about pharmacy.