(207) Evaluation of Pharmacy Student Perceptions of Pharmacy Professions through a Speed Networking Event

Objective : To assess pharmacy student perceptions of different pharmacy career paths and the importance of networking for professional development before and after a speed networking event involving pharmacy professionals from different pharmacy professions.

Methods: All pharmacy students actively enrolled in our Doctor of Pharmacy program were invited to the event and asked to complete anonymous surveys via Qualtrics software before and after the event. Surveys assessed perceptions on networking, readiness for post-graduation, and familiarity with different career paths using a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. Depending on the question, a score of 1 indicated minimal, unimportant or low unfamiliarity, while 5 signified frequently, important and high familiarity. Data analysis was conducted using Qualtrics data reports and SPSS® software. Ten pharmacy professionals representing diverse sectors were chosen by study investigators to participate.

Results: When comparing average Likert scores on the pre- and post-surveys, the speed networking event motivated students to think more about their post-graduate careers (4.15 v. 4.65, p<.01) and increased their insight into the importance of networking (4.42 v. 4.71, p<.01). In addition, when comparing average Likert scores on the pre- and post-surveys, the event significantly increased student familiarity with professions in industry (pre-survey 2.45, post-survey 4.38, p<.01) and regulatory affairs (pre-survey 1.59, post-survey 3.55, p<.01). Overall, analysis of pre- and post-survey Likert scores shows increased familiarity with each profession surveyed.

Conclusions: Findings demonstrated that participation in a speed networking event featuring diverse pharmacy professions positively influenced student perceptions on post-graduate career planning, networking, and familiarity with different pharmacy professions, particularly in niche areas like industry and regulatory affairs.