Career Pathways for PharmD Students

Talk with your faculty advisor and others about how to best prepare to make yourself competitive. 

We pair interested students with an alumni “guide” called a Dean's Alumni Ambassador (DAA) Mentor. Your DAA Mentor would be chosen for you based on your interests. DAA Mentors introduce students to career opportunities and develop relationships with practicing pharmacy professionals. We are also pleased to offer mentors for our students underrepresented in pharmacy (UIP).

The secret to future success is getting involved, early and often! You should be networking and demonstrating your involvement outside the classroom. We strongly encourage you to network. Most jobs are found by making connections with professionals and alumni.

Each year, we offer a free networking event. This is a meet and greet event with area pharmacy leaders. This event is for you to learn what pharmacists in different disciplines do. This is a great way to make connections and hone your interpersonal networking skills.

We also offer Career Day, an annual event that gives students the opportunity to network with potential employers and obtain information about career and employment options.

For more information about these events, contact the Office of Student Success and Engagement.

In order to be a teaching assistant (TA), students must apply. TA credits count as electives and students register for PHM 798 Supervised Teaching. There are about 85-90 TA openings each year. If you are taking PHM 599, please register for 2 credits if you are in the Scholars Program and 1 credit if you are not. There is no limit on the number of elective credits you can earn as a TA (you can TA multiple times if you choose).

Upon receiving your intern permit, use your advisor, mentor and networking relationships to find and apply for an internship. You can also get a job as a pharmacy technician.

We strongly recommend your internship and/or job total less than 10 hours per week during the academic year.

In addition, in partnership with UB Career Services, we invite you to take advantage of Bullseye, an online service that makes it easy for UB students and alumni to connect with employers. If you are looking for a job or internship, we encourage you to login and start managing your search today. The service includes on-campus jobs, part-time jobs, career opportunities, and more!

Micro-credential Programs
Micro-credential programs provide you with specialized knowledge in research, teaching, and professional development beyond that provided by the core curriculum, preparing you for postgraduate training.

Pharmacy Professionalism Courses
As part of the PharmD curriculum, you will learn basic fundamentals of professionalism, individual development, and pharmacy practice through PHM 577, 578, 677, 678, 777 and 778. Topics include networking and interviewing, professional organizations, critical thinking and problem solving, effective communication, strategies for pharmacy school and more.  

Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and Co-Curriculum Activities
Start developing your Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Plan. CPD is a self-directed, ongoing, systematic and outcomes-focused approach to lifelong learning that is applied into practice. Each year, students identify something they would like to further develop and use the CPD process to work towards that goal. Students are encouraged to seek experiences that complement what is learned in the curriculum. These experiences may include activities involving service learning, professional and leadership undertakings, career exploration, wellness and patient care events.

Electives
Elective courses provide students with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills and professional attitude beyond that provided by the core curriculum.

Dual and Collaborative Degree Programs
Want to distinguish yourself? Add a degree to get a career edge! Our dual and collaborative degree programs combine multiple interests into one degree, allowing you to save time, money, and enhance career opportunities.

Experiential Education: Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE)
The IPPE sequence takes place during your second (P2) and third (P3) years. It provides the opportunity to observe and practice a variety of professional activities in multiple settings, including inpatient and community pharmacy.

Also beginning in your P2 year, you can develop your MyCred ePortfolio. MyCred ePortfolios provide a way for you to help build credibility, strengthen professional relationships, display accomplishments, and improve professional outcomes. ePortfolios can be shared with faculty, preceptors, employers and peers.

Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional Education (IPE) prepares UB health professions students to work in a collaborative team environment to provide highly effective care.

Pharmacy Series: Success in Program and Profession
The purpose of our Pharmacy Series is to provide important program information, career pathway opportunities, and networking events with practicing pharmacists and professionals.

As you transition to your P3 year, consider enrolling in elective courses that will enhance your knowledge and skills beyond that provided by the core curriculum. Also, preference your Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences (IPPE) experiential education rotations thoughtfully, to align with your career goals.