Do you like teaching? Have you ever thought about seeking a career in academia? If you aren’t sure or haven’t had the opportunity to explore this area of practice, I highly encourage you to search for teaching assistant positions at your school. Teaching presents a unique opportunity to combine our passion for pharmacy with our will to help others. It is another chance to lead in our profession and help our peers succeed.
Teaching is an important aspect of pharmacists’ role. Whether it is educating patients about their medications, precepting students, educating colleagues, or teaching students in a classroom, pharmacists have many opportunities to teach throughout their career. If you are looking to pursue a residency, you might eventually have the option to complete a teaching certificate. Gaining some teaching experience as a student can help you better prepare for this role.
I recently took on a teaching assistant position to help assist faculty in the development of courses for undergraduate students in the areas of basic medication information, dietary supplements, non-prescription medications, and recreational drugs. Those courses are aimed at exposing students to pharmaceutical sciences early in their career and provide them with an opportunity to learn more about the profession of pharmacy. I look forward to being involved in this area of practice, making a difference in the professional involvement of my peers, serving as a resource for other students, and advancing educational opportunities.
In one way or another, teaching will be part of our careers as pharmacists so I highly encourage other students to explore this area early on. Fulfilling a teaching assistant position is a great place to start. Not only does it present an opportunity to acquire valuable skills but it can also allow us to make a positive impact in one of the most crucial times in students’ professional development.