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Transitions Magazine

Transitions is published bi-monthly for members of the APhA New Practitioner Network. The online newsletter contains information focused on life inside and outside pharmacy practice, providing guidance on various areas of professional, personal, and practice development. Each issue includes in-depth articles on such topics as personal financial management, innovative practice sites, career profiles, career development tools, residency and postgraduate programs, and more.

Turning an unconventional passion into a unique career path
Jamila Negatu
/ Categories: Student Magazine

Turning an unconventional passion into a unique career path

Development Seminar last year.

I still remember the nervousness I felt the night before my pharmacy school interview. I was convinced the admissions committee would want to know exactly what area of pharmacy I hoped to practice in and what my entire career plan was. The truth is, I didn’t know. I knew only that I sought a role in the health care arena and that I wanted to make a positive impact on patient health and quality of life. I knew pharmacy would afford me the platform to accomplish those goals, but I wasn’t exactly sure where in the profession I belonged. 
 
Fortunately, my interviewers didn’t drill too far into my future beyond pharmacy school. They only wanted to know why I wanted to become a pharmacist. After a short wait, I found out that I had been accepted into the program.

 

My new pharmacy journey

Things changed for me when I attended the 2013 APhA Annual Meeting & Exposition. It was at that meeting that I first heard Crystal Atwell, PharmD, APhA Director of Student Development, speak to student pharmacists. I remember thinking how interesting it was that she was a pharmacist, but worked for an association. That was a lightbulb moment for me. The passion that I felt for the profession during that meeting solidified my decision to run for and be elected president-elect of my chapter. 
 
The next year, when I served as president, was one of the most rewarding years of my life. I discovered not only what I was passionate about, but what I was good at: developing other leaders into change agents for the profession. Those experiences helped to shape my “personal brand.” That’s when I knew I wanted to pursue a career in association management.

 

Investing in the future

After graduation, I was selected as the 2016–17 APhA Foundation Executive Residency in Association Management & Leadership. Working alongside some of the brightest and most talented leaders in the profession was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I worked collaboratively to help develop new practice resources and innovative polices to advance the profession’s agenda. 
 
I now work as the APhA Associate Director of Membership Engagement and Communications. In my current role, I manage the recruitment, retention, and engagement action plans of the department. My job involves developing marketing strategies and communication pathways to align our value and benefits with current and prospective members’ needs. While my role is certainly non-traditional, I am able to leverage my pharmacy background to bring a fresh perspective to my department and better address the needs of our members. Ultimately, my goal is to help both members and non-members understand the importance of staying actively involved in the profession.
 

 

Your personal brand

It is never too early to start thinking about your career. You have likely heard about the increasing number of pharmacy schools and competition in the job market. How will you set yourself apart? Possessing a strong understanding of your “personal brand” will speak volumes to employers. It is developed from a full self-understanding of your strengths and a determination of how to differentiate yourself from others who may share those same strengths. Your personal brand evolves when you learn the best environment in which to apply and leverage those strengths to achieve goals. I challenge you to actively work on improving your self-awareness: take personality tests, keep a journal of experiences that have affected your life, and consciously practice observing your feelings and responses to emotions. Most importantly, do your research. There are a wealth of opportunities of which you may be unaware. 
 
Once you understand your strengths and passions, you can start to focus your job search. Leverage your personal brand to find your dream job. And if you can’t find it, create it.
 
 
 

Drew Register, PharmD, is APhA Associate Director of Membership Engagement and Communications in Washington, DC.

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