ULM College of Pharmacy

Career Development Plan

1st Professional Year
1st Semester	2nd Semester
Join student chapters of pharmacy associations. LSPA Kappa Epsilon Phi Delta Chi Rho Chi Phi Lambda Sigma Pharmacy Student Senate
Start and continue to develop your network of professors, pharmacists and classmates who know you and can give you a good recommendation when needed.
Volunteer to serve on community organizations that contribute to the health, welfare or safety of those less fortunate.
Make a study plan and stick with it. Do not try shortcuts to learning. Do not leave class confused or with questions. Talk to the professor. Time Management Links Mind Tools Time Management Study Guides and Strategies Virginia Tech Time Management
Attend local chapter meetings of pharmacy associations. Attend one national pharmacy association meeting.
	Consider taking electives that are novel or relatively unique to your pharmacy school.
Start APhA Career Pathways Evaluation Program. There is plenty of time to decide. Think about what job characteristics would make a position appealing to you. Continue to assess and modify your pathways as your interest develops.
Start preparing the first draft of your resume. Keep an active resume/CV. Assistance is available at ULM Career Services.

2nd Professional Year
1st Semester	2nd Semester
	Run for office and take leadership roles in student pharmacy associations.
	Think about a pharmacy research project that might be interesting to do. Contact the following faculty: Dr. Paul Sylvester Dr. Justin Sherman Dr. Gina Biglane

3rd Professional Year
1st Semester	2nd Semester
	Mentor the association officers taking office next year.
Work with a faculty member on an undergraduate research project that is interesting to you. The goal is to have the project published.
Brainstorm about a forum topic.	Present forum topic to your colleagues.
Find ways to practice your interviewing skills. Start lining up your academic and professional references.	Start considering a variety of clerkships
Start considering what you might do to make your postgraduate background stand out: residencies, fellowships, etc.
	If interested in a residency: See CareerPharm or ASHP for additional information regarding a residency.

4th Professional Year
1st Semester	2nd Semester
Start Clerkships.
Take Pre-Naplex Exam
Start reviewing for the NAPLEX.
Finalize your resume and write a cover letter prototype. Interview on Pharmacy Career Day.	Consider the pros and cons of relocation for the right first job.
Use your clerkships to decide what type of pharmacy practice is best suited to you.
Use your network to help find the better pharmacy positions.
Attend ASHP Midyear Clinical meeting.

Reprinted with the permission of Pharmacy Times, September 2006 issue of Pharmacy Careers.