Opportunities for Student Pharmacists to Get Involved in Pharmacy School

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Getting involved in organizations at pharmacy school can play a crucial role in your academic and career success.

Getting involved in organizations at pharmacy school can play a crucial role in your academic and career success.

Pharmacy schools offer a variety of clubs and community organizations for student involvement. Students have the opportunity to spend some free time by joining organizations to better themselves and their future endeavors.

Club involvement allows students to get involved not only with each other, but also with the community. It also allows them to better educate patients on diseases and medications. Meanwhile, community involvement facilitates classroom learning and gives students the opportunity to apply textbook knowledge to real-life practice.

Some of the organizations highlighted below allow students to gain leadership experience, among other advantages:

APhA-ASP

The mission of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) is to encourage professional growth and improvement of patient care. APhA-ASP facilitates networking among thousands of pharmacy students and pharmacists across the country.

Being a part of this group gives students the opportunity to advocate for the profession and stay up-to-date on current pharmacy-related events. Leadership opportunities on school chapters of APhA-ASP provides deeper involvement and even leadership experience.

School Ambassador

School ambassadors have the opportunity to represent their school to incoming pharmacy candidates. Ambassadors give tours of the pharmacy school to interviewees and answer any questions they may have.

Pharmacy students provide the best advice because they’re experiencing the program firsthand. This is a great opportunity to represent your school and be a go-to source for information.

State Pharmacy Association

State pharmacy association membership provides access to the most recent state-level information that’s pertinent to the profession. The health care field is continually changing, and being a member of a state organization allows you to better advocate for the profession.

There are many different leadership opportunities within state pharmacy associations. Being a member of one allows you to network with student pharmacists and pharmacists practicing within the respective state.

ASHP

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) represents pharmacists who act as patient care providers in acute and ambulatory settings. For students interested in practicing pharmacy in hospitals or ambulatory care clinics, involvement in this organization could be advantageous.

Obtaining a leadership position in an ASHP school chapter allows students to become familiar with clinical pharmacy practices.

NCPA

The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) represents community pharmacists, including pharmacy owners. For those interested in practicing pharmacy in the community setting, getting involved in this organization will help advance your career.

NCPA school chapters provide leadership opportunities to get involved and gain experience in the practice of community pharmacy and entrepreneurship. Leadership responsibilities may include organizing health fairs and other activities that benefit patients in the community.

Pharmacy school is a stressful time for future pharmacists on many different levels. However, pharmacy students don’t have to focus entirely on academics.

Leadership opportunities will prove valuable in securing a job. Many employers look for experienced candidates who are well-versed in leadership because pharmacists act as leaders on a daily basis. Therefore, obtaining leadership experience in pharmacy school will only be beneficial down the road.

Take a moment, attend a meeting, and get involved in organizations that will fuel your passion.

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