Evolving Career Paths Offer Variety to Pharmacists

As the role of the pharmacist in health care continues to evolve and expand, pharmacy careers are adapting to meet modern needs and challenges. Some pharmacists may choose to make a stronger impact outside the walls of community or health system pharmacies. Others may choose to work more closely with patients as part of an interprofessional health care team. Student pharmacists also have many opportunities to serve their patients beyond the more traditional pharmacy roles.

This issue of Pharmacy Careers® offers a variety of articles and viewpoints to help students and pharmacists discover which pharmacy specialties they are interested in and navigate the changing workplace.

For students pursuing pharmacy degrees, read advice about Match Day on page 22, tips for securing a residency on page 14, and a recommendation for pursuing a career in senior care on page 6. Kira Voyer, PharmD candidate, makes a case for pharmacy advocacy on page 20. She explains why it’s important for students to become more involved with pharmacy legislation at all levels of government to help enact changes that benefit patients.

For readers who are building their careers, as well as those established in pharmacy, this issue offers 7 ways to elevate your occupation using self-awareness to your drive your trajectory, plus tips for those working in pharmacy management.

An article by Donna Kosteva, RPh, MEd, raises the challenge of “professional ghosting.” She discusses why ghosting might be affecting your job, how the professionals who disappear from the workplace are perceived by their colleagues, and how those affected by the practice can better manage it. Find that piece on page 8.

Finally, as noted on page 16, pharmacists remain some of the most trusted professionals. As the profession continues to move forward and evolve, it is important that pharmacists keep adapting their roles and building careers that reflect our modern lifestyles and the needs of patients to better serve our communities.