Linked below is a list of professional organizations in pharmacy that
are available to us as students and pharmacists. These are the major
organizations that we have here at WUSOP. There are also more specific
organizations that target certain disease states or patient groups (NLA, IDSA, etc.) I want you all to start thinking about which organizations might appeal to your interests as you look over their sites:
NCAP
ACCP
APhA
SNPhA
ASHP
CPFI
Students, what are some of the benefits available to you through joining these organizations?
Mentors, what benefits are available to pharmacists after graduation?
How many organizations should a student join? Does this number change as we graduate and begin practicing?
NCAP
ACCP
APhA
SNPhA
ASHP
CPFI
Students, what are some of the benefits available to you through joining these organizations?
Mentors, what benefits are available to pharmacists after graduation?
How many organizations should a student join? Does this number change as we graduate and begin practicing?
65 comments:
I find that networking and being able to analyze a gamut of aspects in the pharmacy field are highly beneficial reasons to join organizations. They help you to learn about what pharmacy can offer you as a career and get to know people that may help you succeed. I do not think there is a specific number or organizations one should be involved in. However, I find that being active in a couple organizations will aid your career and show your abilities and dedication.
I think that balance is key, and you should join organizations that interest you personally and professionally, then become very involved in these specific ones, rather than try and join them all just to say you did. It is better to be highly involved in a few organizations then just being a member in many organizations in my opinion.
I think they offer many benefits including networking, experience, and leadership opportunities. When you join these groups, it shows you are a well rounded individual who is interested in more than just getting good grades.
Nicole Free
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I believe that organizations can be extremely useful to student pharmacists. Organizations can provide service opportunities, scholarship opportunities, and networking benefits. I feel as though organizations provide a way for members of a workforce to get together and work towards common goals. Organizations can also be informational, some organizations may provide workshops to teach members of the organization certain skill sets. Organizations can also be beneficial and informational for members of the community by way of various activities. For example, the “Brown Bag Lunches” provided by ACCP in which they provide members of the community with information about medications that they are currently taking.
I do not believe that there is a set number of organizations that a student should join. I think that is completely up to the individual as everyone is different. One person may be able to join 5 organizations and still keep up with their schoolwork and everything else that life throws at them, where someone else may feel overwhelmed by joining one organization. Pharmacists that I have talked to that work in retail have mentioned that they have not renewed their memberships in many organizations that they participated in as pharmacy students.
Gkeemia Gibson
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Class of 2017
In the first couple weeks of school, we were introduced to a lot of different organizations. But which ones tailor to our desires? They all have something to offer, but which ones best apply to me? I decided to join APhA, NCAP, and CPFI. I have enjoyed being involved in clubs and organizations through high school and undergrad because they help you meet people, become a part of something bigger, and many people come together to overcome a unified goal. APhA, NCAP, and CPFI all offer these three things, but they also offer more. For example, APhA offers subscriptions to Pharmacy Today and The Journal of the American Pharmacist Association. This subscriptions keeps you up to date and allows you to be informed to better serve your patients. And NCAP, promotes the role of pharmacy technicians. This is important because a vast majority of our class became interested in pharmacy through their jobs as pharmacy technicians. And lastly, CPFI allows others who share the same Christian beliefs and career (or future career) as a pharmacist to come together. All of these organizations caught my attention by what they had to offer. I think a student should join a handful of clubs. This may change as we begin practicing because different organizations may tailor to needs that are different for a pharmacist rather than a pharmacy student.
Joining organizations is a great opportunity for students to interact and meet new people, as well as begin networking. Organizations on campus are an excellent source for personal and professional development as you join the ones that personally interest you and offer things that meet your desires. I do not believe students should join a certain number of organizations. The only thing that matters is that you become involved in something that is meaningful to you and you are actually committed to the organization. I chose to join NCAP, CPFI, and APhA. I joined these organizations because they offered things that were of importance to me. I joined CPFI to make sure I stay connected to my faith through this stressful journey, as well as connect with people who share my same beliefs. I also joined NCAP for the excellent volunteer opportunities, such as Habitat for Humanity and Operation Sandwich. APhA offers many excellent resources such as CV reviews and subscriptions to journals to keep you updated on new information. Joining these organizations will also help me make many connections with people as we work together to reach a common goal.
Summer Powell
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate
WUSOP Class of 2017
NCAP seems to really appeal to me, because NCAP is a state organization in the state of North Carolina representing the profession of pharmacy which has the purpose improving the health of the people that pharmacists serve. Since I personally have no desire to leave the state of North Carolina, I think that I am a good fit for NCAP. NCAP also could help provide me scholarships as a student depending on how deep my involvement may be in NCAP. I have no idea if I will join ACCP, but ACCP offers at least five courses and certificates to advance oneself as a pharmacist or to re-educate oneself. These courses include Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Self-Assessment Program, Pharmacotherapy Self-Assessment Program, Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Preparatory Review and Certification Course, Pharmacotherapy Preparatory Review and Certification Course, and Oncology Pharmacy Courses. These courses seem like great ways for a pharmacy student or a pharmacy student to advance themselves as a pharmacist in a specialty, so I may have to think about joining ACCP. One of the things that caught my eye about APhA is that the organization offers to help pharmacists expand the immunizations that they can perform. I think this is definitely an organization that I will join, because I want to go into retail pharmacy, and being able to give immunizations seems to be something that a lot of retail pharmacists are able to do, so this is probably an organization that I need to join. SnPhA seems to be like a great organization to join, and I actually think that I am a good fit for it since one of the goals of SnPhA is to improve health in the community (and with my Exercise Science background and interest in nutrtion, the overall health of people is a concern of mine). However, I doubt I will join SnPhA my first year of pharmacy school, I might even wait until my third year of pharmacy school if I were to join SnPhA. But the organization certainly is an interesting one since it goes outside of the scope of pharmacy and seems to be concerned about the overall health of people. AHSP’s mission is really to improve the health of patients by supporting pharmacists in all of the different practice settings, and is a huge advocate for improving the safety of medications. I would love to join AHSP, because I like their mission, but I don’t think I will have time to join this organization. CPFI stands for Christian Pharmacists Fellowship International. I will more than likely join this organization, because my faith is a very important part of my life. I believe that this organization will put me into contact with other Christian pharmacists who I could end up working with one day. This organization could help me find a work environment that is optimal. I really believe that a pharmacy student should be a member of one to three organizations with heavy involvement. It is not how many organizations a student is a part of, but it is how heavy their involvement is in these organizations. I also believe that a student should join organizations that will truly benefit the student and their skill sets. The student should not join organizations just to be a member of organizations, but to actually help the student improve their skill set, and also the student should only join organizations in which they are interested in the activities of that organization. Also, I have no idea how many organizations a pharmacist should be a member of after they graduate. I would say the more organizations that they can be a member of after they graduate, the better, because being a pharmacist member, could help serve as a resource for students who need help figuring out what organizations they may need to join. Do any of the mentors have any advice as to which organizations I should join? Thanks!
Joseph Helms
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
I have joined organizations that do not fit my personality, so I am using this first year, with all its course work demands, to volunteer with the different clubs to see what they are 'about'. I also agree that it is more productive (for me) to join a limited number of organizations, and devote more time and attention to it, than to spread myself thin just to look good on my CV. Pharmacy is a small community so the networking one gets from involvement with fewer clubs should be enough to get one exposed to many pharmacists and areas of pharmacy.
So, that is my philosophy for me! For others? I agree with Gkeemia, in that each person has to decide what is their 'best fit', and Nicole, in that one needs to strive to be truly committed to what they get involved in.
Annalisa Fong, P1 WUSOP
Some of the benefits that are available to us as students are that we will get to have a greater understanding of the pharmacy profession as a whole as well as a chance to build relationships with our fellow students. Joining organizations helps to make a student pharmacist more well-rounded and it also looks good to employers when they see that you were active in your community. I believe that students should join organizations in their first year but it may be a good idea to hold only join a couple of organizations in the beginning until the student finds the right balance between studying, work, and their personal life.
Christopher Stewart
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
Students, what are some of the benefits available to you through joining these organizations?
How many organizations should a student join? Does this number change as we graduate and begin practicing?
One of the benefits of joining student organizations is networking. Being able to meet other Pharmacist students and professionals is important to help us build connections within the pharmacy community. These network connections can also help benefit us, if we have any questions or concerns since they are more knowledgeable. Another benefit is the ability to being involved within the pharmacy community. Through volunteer events and service projects hosted by these organizations, we can be involved within our local communities. I have already joined 3 organizations, SSHP, APhA, and NCAP. I believe in my first semester of my P1 year, 3 clubs should be enough to balance my academic coursework. If i find interest in other clubs, or have time to join others in the future, I might consider joining more. I think this number changes depending on the direction we want to pursue in our pharmacy career. We will tend to join clubs that will focus on the direction we want to take within our careers, and that have similar interest to ours.
Chris Chu
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
There is no finite number of pharmacy organizations that a student pharmacist should join. It depends on the person and how they are able to balance their time. However, there is a difference between just joining a group and being an active member. Students should only join the organizations that they know they can be an active member in. It is a great networking experience, a good change to grow leadership skills, and a chance to help out your local community. For example, NCAP had operation Sandwich last month were we made nearly 600 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches that were delivered to urban ministries. Each organization has different events through out the year that aid in personal growth, as well as outreach. After graduation, I feel that organization should be looked at the same. Only join those that you can stay an active, contributing member in. It all depends on the person, but finding the right balance is crucial.
Robert Byrd
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
I believe that joining organizations while in pharmacy school is important if you have the time. Organizations are a great way to meet people and network. These could be potential co-workers or employers upon graduation.
Organizations are also a great way to be active and get involved in your community. Events you do with your organizations look great on resumes as well, which can benefit you when it comes to applying for residencies or jobs.
As I mentioned, it is really only beneficial to join if you have the time to allocate to the organizations. The more you put into them, the more you will get out of them.
Cheryl Gentry
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I think that organizations are a great way to meet new people, learn about different aspects of pharmacy, and volunteer and help out in the community. In terms of numbers, I don’t think there is a set number of clubs that you should do or shouldn’t do. However, when I was making a decision on which organizations I wanted to join, I had to consider the amount of time we as pharmacy school students have. I feel that it is important to be a contributing member in a select few rather than spreading myself to thin, not only organizations, but in school and my internship as well. I feel that these organizations will help me get a grasp of all the great things pharmacy has to offer that I have yet to be exposed to.
Meagan Scott
Doctorate of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I think that the organizations are a great part of being a professional. The organizations that we have been introduced to in pharmacy school offer vast opportunities to become involved in the communities and network throughout the professional realm of pharmacy. When I was trying to decide which organizations I wanted to join, I analyzed my professional goals and what I wanted to achieve as a pharmacist. I feel that the organizations can help guide us as student pharmacists in order to achieve our goals.
There are numerous benefits and opportunities available to students via these organizations. Most importantly, organizations allow students to become well rounded and more involved in the field of pharmacy. It has been made aware to us students the importance of taking part in extracurricular events and organizations; being involved will help us gain prestigious positions in the career field. I believe that such organizations will provide students with a means to connect with potential career associates or supervisors. Furthermore, taking part in organizations will expose students to the different career opportunities available, and help them to determine what specific pharmacy career they wish to pursue. I think it is beneficial for students to join more than one organization so that they are able to participate in various activities and discover what inspires them most. Students should not only join those organizations that appeal to their personal interests but those that offer other possibilities. The websites present detailed information about each group and is a great place to start if one is looking at joining a particular organization. I chose to join APhA, NCAP, and CPFI because these groups relate to things I am interested in but also want to know more about.
Kimberly Pullium
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
Joining an organization has many benefits that can assist you both professionally and personally. An organization can help develop your pharmaceutical skills and knowledge, as well as allow you to meet new people that could assist you later on in your career. Another benefit of being involved in organizations is that it shows that you are well-rounded; you can do more than just make good grades. All of these benefits should be taken into account when trying to find the organization(s) that fit you best. I believe that a person's time is the only limit to the amount of organizations he/she should join. It is better to devote more time to only a couple of organizations than to be in many and not be able to do much in any of them.
Trent Tysinger
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
The most appealing part of joining organizations is networking and an opportunity to meet people, make new friends and have fun. I agree with Nicole in term of choosing the organization that fit your professional goal, so you can become actively involved rather than just saying you did join the organization.
In addition to networking, I find that we can learn to work in a team, share experience with each others and build leadership skill via involving in school organization. Furthermore, through these organizations, we can learn about trend of future pharmacy career and share opinions on important issues.
Tram Dang
Pharm.D Candidate 2017
WUSOP
The main themes of pharmacy school so far seem to be professionalism and networking. They are both important aspects in becoming a successful pharmacist. Clubs are a great way to begin networking. They not only bring you closer to fellow peers, but they also connect you with current pharmacists. These connections could help a graduate when looking for their first job, or a student who is wanting to complete a residency. They become helpful recommendation letter writers. I think we as students should join only as many organizations as our time allows, especially in the beginning. Pharmacy school is a big adjustment from undergrad and while it is important to be involved, grades are important too. The student needs to determine which club(s) best fit their interests and help them reach future goals. I also feel that if you join too many clubs and get involved with too many things, you cannot put your full effort and attention into something. It may look good to be in numerous clubs, but it does not help if you haven’t actually contributed anything to the group. I think that as we graduate, it will probably be harder to continue being involved in the clubs because we are most likely starting families and not as connected with pharmacy. Right now, pharmacy is the biggest majority of our time, but eventually other things will become of interest to us. However, I think it is important to stay linked in with other pharmacists and pharmacies. Club are a good way to accomplish this since we are no longer in class and able to hear from our professors what is going on in the pharmacy profession.
Christi Spivey
I believe that becoming integral members of these organizations will ultimately help us as students. Many of these organizations offer opportunities to volunteer within the community, hold informational meetings, and provide a close network of peers. As members of 1 or more of these organizations we, as students, will grow into informed, caring, and successful professionals as well as individuals.
Rebecca Andersen
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
I believe that being involved in an organization is very beneficial to students in pharmacy school and also to pharmacists. It allows you to see many aspects of pharmacy and also meet and network with many other professionals. I do not think there is a set number of organizations you should be a part of, just enough that you can be involved in each one.
Melissa Janis
WUSOP Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
I think that one of the most important aspects of joining an organization is to network. As we've heard several times before, pharmacy is a small world. Organizations also offer the vital support that one needs while going through pharmacy school or even working in the profession. You may have a question or two that someone else has dealt with before. Having that extra support with such a wide range of pharmacists is very valuable to succeeding. Joining an organization may also open your eyes to a certain field, such as 'Do I really want to go into retail?' or 'Is clinical pharmacy right for me?'. Organizations often have events for members to attend to direct each future (or present) pharmacist on the path they want to take.
Bridget Purser
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Joining a group or organization is very beneficial for students because it gives us a chance to network and receive advice from pharmacists who have experience in the profession. When it comes to how many, that depends on the person. Joining many groups can have the advantage of diversity and will increase your opportunities. Just joining one group will allow you to completely focus on the goals of that group and take full advantage of those opportunities.
Jacob Gibson
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I have joined ACCP for the opportunity it offers in regard to my goals within the field. Having an interest in Clinical Pharmacy, I felt that joining ACCP exposes me to an array of specialties within the field.
But, I also tried to factor in time and the level of commitment that is required instead of just being a student member, I'd like to become an officer, so at this present moment as a P1, I'll settle with this one, unless my circumstances change.
Etienne Matanda
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
I have found that being involved in professional organizations is a must. The organizations can be the gateway to new found friendships, job opportunities etc. I do not think that there is a specific number of organizations that someone should be involved in. I believe that if time permits for the student, he or she should be involved in as many as they can.
There are numerous benefits to joining organizations. Like most people have already stated, networking is a huge reason of why joining is beneficial. You have the opportunity to meet people who could potentially help get you a job, or even be your boss. Another reason of why joining organizations is important is that it will set you apart for other applicants when it comes time for a residency or job application. I could be wrong, but I believe that someone with a 3.5 gpa and is involved with organizations would get a job over someone with a 4.0 gpa and is not involved in anything. Organizations also give you opportunities to participate in volunteer work and helping your community, which are great chances to feel good about yourself and build your C.V.
-Taylor Morrisette
I have a few pharmacists who mentor me and neither of them were very 'involved' as students and they were both valedictorians of their respective classes and went on to do residencies. Of course, they have both warned me that residencies and practices are expecting more out of their students. They recommended that I join the ASHP and I am in fact a student member. One of the most useful benefits they have is a daily briefing email and emagazine which keeps members up to date with not only the organization's plans but on new laws and regulations from the FDA as well. They also have a profile page where you can interact and network with other students and pharmacists.
Cristina Negron
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
The benefits of joining organizations vary. One of the main reasons why students should join organizations is to get involved in something outside of regular school life, as a break from the constant influx of studying. Many students join organizations quickly so that they can build up their CVs- it is really important to be well rounded if you are planning on doing a residency after pharmacy school. Residencies are very competitive, and you need to have something better than "good grades" to help you stand out.
When a student is in their P1 year, I think it is important to at least join one organization. This way, you can meet fellow pharmacy students and also start to building your list of involvements. Joining too many at once before you know what kind of load you can handle can be overwhelming, and organizations can always be added later in your pharmacy school career. Then, by the time you are done with school, the possibility of employment becomes easier as many of the organizations provide you with the ability to network and get your foot in the door at various workplaces.
Overall, organizations are extremely important for a student pharmacist. To get involved, to improve your CV, and to meet your peers are all important aspects of growing as a person. A student that goes without joining any organizations is definitely missing out on a lot of opportunity.
Like many of my fellow classmates have already stated, I feel that professional organizations provide us with networking opportunities that allow us to be exposed to new aspects of the profession. Early on in my undergraduate years I had a difficult time balancing school, work , and extracurricular organizations. However, in my later years I made the decision to become actively involved in organizations and realized that these organizations can allow the individual to expand overall knowledge of a profession.This is very beneficial allow with networking, and experience opportunities.
Roslen Bell
The number one benefit of joining organizations is to network. Everyone is different but becoming a part of a group allows you to connect with people that share common goals as you do. You can learn what is acceptable to joke about, I will admit I sometimes make jokes that aren't funny and may be found offensive, being around other people allows you to adapt your speech and mannerisms to a more acceptable form.
Being part of a professional organization also broadens your knowledge of the pharmacy career. It allows pharmacist to see how much of an effect they really do have on society. It can motivate us to help others in ways that we wouldn't think of. Just going out and connecting with others allows us to put our knowledge to use, builds our experiences and it makes the information that we learn more relative to real-life scenarios where it can be useful.
I was never really involved which is one of my downfalls however, I see the benefits in it. If I were hiring someone, I would want to look for someone who is well-rounded and going out into the community shows that a person is dedicated and is willing to go above and beyond to help society. As many have stated, when it comes to joining organizations it's more about the quality and effort put into each one rather than the quantity.
Joining organizations is definitely beneficial to us as student pharmacists and later on when we are actually practicing. I do not believe the number of organizations you join is important, but how involved you are in the organization will yield the most benefits. Being involved in organizations will keep you informed on important topics in pharmacy and maybe changes in certain disease states you specialize in, or are interested in. In addition, being involved in an organization is a great way to build your network and connections with other colleagues. It is important to know people in pharmacy and make as many connections as possible because it will be very beneficial when looking for a job or anything you may be trying to accomplish throughout your career.
Justin Ledford
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
The primary benefit of joining organizations is networking, the connections that you can make. Depending on where you see your pharmacy career going, connections can be very important in landing jobs, residencies, and getting to where you want to go. The other benefit is just being around others who have the same interest which can help drive you towards your goals. Another important benefit of organizations is that it makes you become a more rounded student in regards to what you are able to do. By joining organizations you are able to interact and directly work with other people in the field and directly become involved in the community with your line of work.
The number of organizations a student should join is a question that I have asked myself recently as we did our organization drive/sign up. The advice I received from second year and third year students was that, you should do as many as you feel that you can handle. Everyone is different. Some students work. Some have families. Some are already engaged in other activities. Regardless, you should still try to join as many as you can and maybe a few more to get an idea of which organizations fit you, especially as a first year pharmacy student.
From there, you can participate as much as you want or as little as you want, again depending on which ones fit you, have activities that you enjoy, and works with you towards you goals.
In your second year, you should just join the organizations that you enjoyed the most and helped you the most. With that, you can focus more of your time and energy towards a few organizations which should equate to more quality work being performed.
As you graduate and begin practicing, you may have more time and may be able to join more organizations. For some people, they will just want to concentrate on the same ones that benefited them throughout pharmacy school.
Organizations are one of the most beneficial ways in which we as students can connect with other students as well as professionals. Not only can people share their ideas and interests, but working towards a specific goal is a great mechanism in bringing us together. By joining with different members of the pharmacy community, we can learn new things and develop new techniques that we may not come into contact with in our normal practice. While we can collaborate with members of our own field of pharmacology, through organizations, we can also connect with members of other fields of medicine. This collaboration is a necessary part of the growing healthcare field.
Kristen Doster
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
There are many benefits that go along with joining organizations during and after pharmacy school. Organizations can strengthen your career by allowing you to network, attend professional meetings and gain unique experiences. It is also important for you to be involved with your community and volunteer your time to benefit others, which are both accomplished by being a part of an organization. Most importantly, being a member of organizations can help you advance the profession and help improve patient care policies.
Laura Bowers
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
These Organizations all provide an opportunity for networking, not only in the sense of getting the edge for job opportunities but also for finding like-minded people to discuss your views with.
Paul Rappold
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
Joining organizations is one form of networking we can use. When others see what you have done, it will get your name out there. By joining, each organization does different things and the things they sponsor or promote and you go, you will get to meet others and that will get your name out there
Each organization has their own goal. To maintain that goal we have to learn to work better with others. For example, clinical pharmacists work on a team of different doctors. They have to know and help each other out. Some of their organizations help out with that.
These organizations want to benefit the people and the community. NCAP for example has it is its mission statement: "NCAP exists to unite, serve and advance the profession of pharmacy for the benefit of society" Helping the community is a great way to network. It is also good to have things you have done on your CV.
Rebecca Giannetti
I have chosen to not join an organization my first year. I do see the benefit of joining them for networking and learning. I have kids and have family priorities that take a lot of my time and with our schoolwork load it would be out of my comfort level to also add another time-consuming responsibility to that. I would like to participate in organization volunteer opportunities if I have time, as most of those do not require you to be a member. I do think it’s beneficial to be in organizations if you have the time for them. They help you grow to be more professional and add networking that can benefit you later on. You can be more involved in the community and gain experience.
Wendy Sanchezruiz
PharmD Candidate 2017
WUSOP
As stated in class, I think these organizations are great for networking, but I think that what you join should also be something you really want to do. The things that some of these organizations do for the community and others can be great.
Michelle Kerestes
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
Being involved in student organizations is extremely important for me. Student organizations give you an opportunity to connect with other students and to network. While studying for classes is important for our program, I believe it’s also beneficial to take time to spend with others and to not worry about school. I also like that organizations allow students in different years to interact and learn from each other. Being involved in organizations is also a great way to connect with future employers and coworkers. Having a common interest creates a special bond between people which could even make the difference in getting a job over someone else. As pharmacists, we will work with others throughout our entire career, so learning the communication and people skills that organizations can provide is a benefit. Another great outcome of being involved in organizations is learning time-management; we have to find the balance between preparing for school and being involved. Time-management is an important skill to learn and perfect for both our academic career and our career as a pharmacist.
Maegan Wells
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate
WUSOP Class of 2017
I have always enjoyed being a part of organizations that I can be an active member in. These organizations are only beneficial to students who choose to take an active role in them. If students join organizations just to list them on their resume or CV, they are not only doing it for the wrong reason, they are not going to get anything out of it. Organizations push students to network with other students and grow as a professional. They also allow you to have hands-on experience with the profession of pharmacy by contributing to the community and applying it to things outside of the classroom. This also allows students to get a full college experience, it allows students to take time away from studying and schoolwork so they can spend having fun while learning about pharmacy in a different way.
As far as determining how many organizations a student should be a part of, I feel that is dependent of the individual and what they are capable of. I have pulled myself too thin in the past, so I chose to only join three organizations. It was hard for me to decide on only three and when making that choice I decided on the three that I felt would allow me to best develop better skills I would need in the profession and as a person. I am hoping I can take an effective stance in the organizations I am a part of and take away as much as I can from each of them.
Whitney C. Smith
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, Class of 2017
I believe the main benefit that we can get from joining organization is networking and experience. During pharmacy school, we might be limited to how much experience we can get if you don’t join any organization. However, these organizations give us many opportunities that we can get more and extensive experience in fields of our interest. In addition, these organization will lets have the networking we need to stand out in the field, which will have a significant effect once we graduate. I believe the number of organizations will depend on the student, because some student can manage their time with many organization but other can only one or two. The number of organization could decrease after we graduate since we might want to keep one or to that interest us the most. However, when we are in school most of us are open to explore the different fields of pharmacy.
Helen Nure
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, class of 2017
WUSOP
I believe that becoming involved in various organizations can be beneficial for any pharmacy student. Organizations offer the opportunity for networking and meeting new people. As students, we have the chance to meet other pharmacy students within our own school as well as around the nation if we attend conventions through various organizations. This allows us to gain a new perspective on pharmacy and learn from the experience of others. There is also an opportunity for meeting future employers and getting one's name out in the open. Once again, networking is quite attainable. Also, organizations give students the opportunity to reach out to the community through service projects, informational sessions, and various medical events. We have the ability to share our knowledge with others and hopefully help to improve their health. Organizations are a great way to gain some leadership skills as well. I believe it is important to get involved. While studying is important, sometimes some time away from the books is good for the mind. Organizations are a great way to take a study break while still staying connected with pharmaceutical practices and gaining new experiences.
Kelli Ferguson
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate
WUSOP Class of 2017
I think a major benefit of joining an organization is that students are able to be involved in pharmacy related activities while not having to be studying. It gives experience and connections with our field. We have the opportunity to get together as a group and do something productive that doesn't have to do with only schoolwork. It also helps with giving us a means of interacting socially with other students outside of school, sometimes benefiting others in the community.
There are many benefits to joining professional organizations. It can be an easy way to meet new people, begin networking, and even help the community in which you live. Often community service projects are organized through these professional organizations to accomplish tasks that wouldn't have as great of an impact if done by individuals. Operation Christmas child is one of the drives that is successful because of the participation of organizations. I feel that when considering joining organizations, it is important to make sure you can be involved. If you spread yourself too thin, and can't devote any time to your organization, you aren't truly benefitting from the experience. So the amount of work a student can handle determines how many organizations they should join. This number differs in every student, and is dependent on each particular personality.
Taylor Peterman
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I agree with Nicole's comment about finding a balance between organizations, school work, and personal time. I also feel that is more beneficial for a person to be more involved in a few organization than to not be as involved but be a member of many organizations. You should join organizations that interest you or stand for a cause that you believe in. Organizations in addition, provide a means to network with your peers and with pharmacists that are already practicing. By joining I think that you not only work for the group but the group also can work for you later in your career.
Katie Brooks
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I think that as individuals in a rigorous doctoral program, it is a huge benefit for the students to get involved in various organizations. Although we must study frequently and stay on top of our studies, it is extremely important that we get involved in different organizations to have a little fun. The great thing about pharmacy organizations is that it allows us to immerse ourselves deeper into the field/career of pharmacy. It allows us to work in the communities around us by allowing us to educate the citizens, etc. Also, by joining organizations, we can begin to network with the world of pharmacy around us. We can begin to build relationships with other professionals in our field so that maybe when we graduate, we could potentially have a job. It gives us the opportunity to benefit pharmacy on the governmental level by advocating for pharmacists and this profession at various governmental meetings. The benefits of joining organizations are vast. However, it is of great importance to join those that interest you and try not to have a hand in every pot. It is still important that we stay on top of our studies, but organizations allow us to have some fun time and still be learning about the wonderful world of pharmacy.
Amanda Bradsher
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
Professional organizations tend to be an avenue for members to fight for a common interest and network among each other. However, the professional organizations in the pharmacy profession specifically the ones here at Wingate University go the extra mile in making positive societal contributions their primary objectives. Which makes these organizations appealing to me.
I am currently a member of SNPhA which is dedicated to representing the ideas of minority pharmacists on critical issues affecting healthcare and pharmacy while also reaching out to help alleviate health problems that minority populations among others are facing. This definitely provides an opportunity for me to give back to the society.
Furthermore, other organizations like the APhA, NCAP help us learn about what is going on in the pharmacy profession in terms of legislation and other developments which we might not be exposed to within our pharmacy curriculum. This gives us more understanding and knowledge of the profession.
To conclude, I believe it is important to be an active member of these organizations, time permitting, because they also help us develop individually by improving our team working and leadership skills along with the aforementioned benefits.
Henry Awopetu
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
The benefits available to pharmacy students through joining professional organizations are endless. Professional organizations are the vehicle by which professionals under one umbrella work to protect and further the agenda of their profession. Joining them helps students be aware and informed of trends, policies and laws that may be passed by the government that could affect their practice once they out in the field.
Further, joining professional organization exposes students who may want to volunteer in the community avenues to do so. Indeed, the social aspect and contacts made within these groups are priceless. The older members of the groups very often act as mentors of sorts, by helping guide the up and coming students in ways that may very well help chart their career path.
I believe that every student should join as many professional organizations that will enable them maintain a balanced school life. Pharmacy school is hectic and care should be taken to manage time appropriately. However, and in the end, what is important is that we all converge in ways that will protect our profession and one of those ways is through joining professional organizations.
Adaobi Obika
WUSOP
Doctor oh Pharmacy Candidate
Class of 2017
Pharmacy organizations really do seem to be beneficial to pharmacy students and I will agree with all of you that think balance is key. However, I do not think that it is necessary to join an organization to be a successful pharmacist. Yes, they provide great networking tools for your future and great ways to get involved in the community but I feel that is just the college setting. There are plenty of ways to get involved with the community without being associated with a pharmacy club. Getting out of the pharmacy bubble to interact with other non-pharmacy people who like helping the community as well is nice to show that you're not pharmacy all the time. Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-pharmacy clubs, I just think if you can balance your time in pharmacy and in other aspects that makes you seem like a normal person it's just as good.
Matt Thompson
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I believe joining a club can be beneficial to some students. It allows students to meet different people and network with individuals that they may not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. Club organizations are also a perfect way to give back to the community. However, I don’t believe you need to be in just a pharmacy organization to give back to the community and to meet people. At times being involved in too many “pharmacy clubs” isolates you from the general public. I think you need a mix of different organization composed of diverse individuals to make you more well-rounded.
Anna Smaragdis
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
Joining an organization can benefit an individual in several different ways, but I believe the biggest benefit would be networking. Joining an organization can help place people together with common interest which will naturally lead to networking with people within the organization and also with other organizations. Groups of common interest also can help to achieve specific goals that will help benefit the group as a whole or the community. The con to all the benefits of joining a club (networking, common interest, knowledge, community, etc...) is simply the amount of time that can be spent working/volunteering. There must always be a balance especially when a schedule is already packed with other task at hand.
Charles Whisnant
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2013
WUSOP
I think that the greatest advantage to joining student organizations is networking. Being able to talk to other students with similar interests and having opportunities to travel and talk to actual pharmacists that are practicing in the field that you are interested is very important. Talking to pharmacists can open up pathways into the job you want. Organizations can also help if you're not really sure what you want to do after graduation. You can get a taste of the different types of pharmacy and decide which one you like best. Lastly organizations can increase your chances of getting a residency after graduation if that is an avenue you are interested in.
Mitch Speer
I believe that organization membership can be very beneficial to pharmacy school students. I think the number of organizations you join should be a personal preference, not a predetermined number. If people are joining organizations just to beef up their resume instead of for the right reasons, they really are not going to be a committed, beneficial component to these groups. Organizations at Wingate can not only help to network but to connect you with people that share similar interests as you. When I was selecting what organizations to join, it involved a lot of research. I wanted hold membership in organizations I felt I could be enthusiastic and passionate about. I believe being a part of these organizations will project I was able to balance more than just going to class.
Jordan Grubb
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Joining organizations has many benefits to them, but I feel that you should join the organization that you are most passionate about. Most organizations have the benefit of networking to interact with other people in those organizations, finding out what you want to do later in your career, giving you more experience in the areas you have interest in, and helping to improve your leadership skills. These organizations are also for students to learn something while having fun. It is a great way to help the community while releasing from schoolwork. These organizations will help support you while you are supporting them because you are working together as a team. Another added benefit that CPFI offers to their organization has a common belief system inside the career of pharmacy to fellowship with others. Students should join organizations that they believe in from the vision statements each organization stands by.
Kelly Fuhrmann
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
I believe that joining an organization is a great opportunity to network, make new professional colleagues, and learn new skills. Organizations have resources that can greatly benefit the student in their endeavors. A student pharmacists should probably join around two organizations and then from there if they feel comfortable join a couple more after graduation. The more the merrier, but make sure you can handle the work load.
Matthew Quick
DoPC 2017
WUSOP
Organizations are a crucial part of pharmacy school and pharmacy practice. Organizations allow students to network with practicing pharmacists and create connections with these people. I do not believe that a student should try to join every single organization because a healthy balance is needed to succeed in pharmacy school. I believe 1-3 organizations is an appropriate amount while in school.
Chris Murphy
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
In our first year of pharmacy school it is important to figure out what organizations are going to be most beneficial to you. They all have their own mission statements or goals to consider. If you are interested in clinical pharmacy, it is important to join organizations that will help you with clinical skills. If community pharmacy is more of your style. Find the organizations with a community outlook. All of the organizations offer an opportunity for volunteering, networking, and teaching awareness to the community. No matter which ones you join, they will help you in the long run. However, finding ones that are beneficial to you and your beliefs is key. There are also great organizations like CPFI that are for Christians. This offers you a group of people with similar beliefs as you who can help to serve as an outlet from all the pharmacy school talk. There are also fraternities such as PDC that are more of a social outlet to have fun with fellow students and talk about things other than school. In the end, It is important to join a club or organization. Just don't rush into too many. Find the appropriate balance between organizations and school work.
There are many benefits in joining pharmacy organizations. By joining organizations, you can enhance your knowledge within the profession by the many educational opportunities available. They allow you to network with other pharmacists and gain insight on the various opportunities in pharmacy. Also, it is a way to reach out in your community and volunteer your time. I do not believe there is a set number of organizations that a student should join. A student should join the organizations they find valuable and will benefit them in their pharmacy career. It is a great way to get your name out there and network. Whether a student joins one or four organizations, they need to make sure they have the time to be involved and balance schoolwork.
Paige Childers
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
There are many professional organizations available to students in pharmacy school. Every organization targets a particular part of pharmacy, which may appeal to certain individuals. Organizations are great for many reasons. Students can use these organizations to network with professionals in the field, faculty, and even other students that can serve as mentors or friends. These organizations are also great for fulfilling a desire to give back in the community. For example, CPFI is involved in Operation Christmas Child, which sends boxes full of goodies to children in third world countries. Other opportunities are available, such as Habitat for Humanity through NCAP. Each organization has several volunteering opportunities for students to help give back. Another great thing about joining these organizations is the experience. They offer a different setting to learn more about the field of pharmacy, and this can be more exciting than a lecture in a classroom, so the student may get more out of it. The benefits of joining professional organizations are endless. You can get as much out of an opportunity as you want. I think as a student, sticking to just a few organizations would be best. It would be great to be involved with all of them, but you would not be able to truly devote enough time to each one. The best way to do this would be to pick a few groups that you connect with, and focus your efforts on this organization. As we begin to graduate and practice pharmacy, the need for professional organizations may not be as necessary, so you would not have to be involved in so many. If there was a particular organization that really impacted your career, you could continue to be involved with it, and serve as a mentor for new students.
Jordan Richmond
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
Professional organizations have many benefits, but they also have a few minor drawbacks. They are great ways to network and serve as a great way to give back to the community. Depending on how one looks at things, the time demand could be a net positive or negative. Networking could also work against a potential job applicant as it gives employers a way to find out how people feel about you on a personal level as well.
Michael Russell
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
Wingate University School of Pharmacy
I wanted to expand a little on Annalisa's comments in class about long term organization membership. I think this is very important, and raises the question of quality vs. quantity. We mentioned in class that employers are looking into what we've DONE vs who we are affiliated with, and I think it is more beneficial to be a member of fewer organizations and have more community outreach and volunteer work than it is to be a member of every organization with no actual participation. Paying money to be "affiliated" isn't good enough anymore.
Rebecca English
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP Hendersonville Campus
I think there are a couple of benefits in joining organizations. I think the first is that it allows us to form strong relationships with our classmates. Pharmacy is such a small world and we will probably work or interact with many of our classmates when we graduate. I think it is also helpful in that it helps us to network outside of our school. It will help us meet people that we may work with or help us develop skills that we will need to work in groups or companies.
Tavie Laws
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
I think that some of the very obvious benefits that are available for the students from joining the professional organizations are: learning more about the field of pharmacy, serving community and building network connections for the future pharmacy practice. After the graduation one of the best benefits available from joining professional organizations is the entry in the resume that shows that you are an involved individual which makes student more attractive for employers. I think that while at school an individual should try out as many professional organizations as he/ she likes this way he/she would know for certain which organization he/she wants to be part of for the rest of their professional carriers.
Denis Bibichev
Becoming member and joining activities in professional organizations bring many benefits for pharmacy students. The first one, it provides a lot of opportunities for pharmacy students to develop leadership skills, communication and listening skills, as well as personal and professional growth that can be used in profession. This is very important to pharmacy students when they are become pharmacists because it prepares for them know how to cooperate well among pharmacists, other healthcare professionals, physicians, or nurses. Furthermore, pharmacy students can involve through community services by participating in informative meetings, health fairs, socials, patient counseling competitions, and community education. For me, after a few weeks researching and participating a some organizations, I decided to join SNPhA (The Student National Pharmaceutical Association) because I consider it has many interesting facts. Personally, when joining some various activities, I have chance to meet new people, P2 and P3 students, share their experiences, build relationships and expand networking. The last benefit is that I have fun by helping out my community by improvement healthcare.
Thuy Nguyen
Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate 2017
WUSOP
As a student, there are excellent benefits available through joining an organization. You can make lifelong friendships with people who have similar beliefs as you, acquire knowledge you didn't previously have, network with people who may help you in life endeavors, and participate in community outreach programs or other activities that aim towards a purpose you find important.
I think at first, a student should look into an organization’s background and mission statement before they join. Making sure you are into the organization will help you get the most out of your organization because then you will have an interest and will be more inclined to participate. If you are able to handle five organizations into your schedule and like them all, then do it. I do not think there is a certain number that anyone is tied to. As long as you are able to stay active and have interest in your organization’s goals and activities, I think you are fine.
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