Transitioning from didactic coursework to experiential rotations can be a challenge for student leaders as many student leadership positions at the school level end after P3 year. For those students who have continued interest in staying involved, there are several opportunities to seek out and incorporate into your fourth and final year of pharmacy school.
1.) Get involved on a national level. The ASHP Pharmacy Student Forum has various leadership opportunities for P4 students, including positions on the Pharmacy Student Forum Executive Committee as well as six different advisory groups. For current P3 students interested in serving in a national position during the 2017-2018 year, there is still time! The application deadline for advisory group positions is May 1st. Advisory groups include Advancement of Pharmacy Practice, Career Development and Education, Community and eCommunciations, Leadership Development, Policy and Legislative Advocacy, and Student Society Development, and being a member of one of these advisory groups is a unique opportunity as you not only serve on a national level but you are also given the opportunity to collaborate with student leaders across the country to implement impactful student programs and initiatives. More information can be found here.
2.) Reach out to faculty and student organizations at your school. Even though you are no longer within the four walls of your pharmacy school during your fourth year, local opportunities may still exist. Ask your faculty mentors if there are any opportunities to assist them in the courses that they teach or the research projects that they are involved in. In addition, many student organizations may benefit from having a P4 student liaison. For instance, the SSHP and APhA-ASP chapters at my school have a designated P4 leader who is responsible for keeping all P4 chapter members informed of the various professional and career development opportunities (CV workshops, webinars, residency prep information, etc.) as well as information about national and local pharmacy conferences. Sometimes asking how you can help is all it takes!
3.) Be a mentor. Many hospitals are now embracing the layered learning model that incorporates increased collaboration between residents and student learners of all class years. For P4 students, this means that during your APPE rotations, you may have the opportunity to take on the role of mentoring younger students who are completing IPPE rotations or various learning experiences within the hospital. As a fourth year student pharmacist, you are viewed by younger students experienced and knowledgable. Remember what it was like to be in their shoes, and spread the wealth! This is the perfect opportunity to provide insight and advice to younger students on your experiences as well as what to expect and how to succeed in the upcoming years.
For current P3 students, reach out to your P4 peers and ask them how they have continued to stay involved throughout their fourth year. As you prepare to make the big transition from the classroom to APPE rotations, take a step back and reflect on your personal and professional goals- if being involved is something that you want to continue to incorporate in your final year, plan ahead and seek out those opportunities now! Once your APPE rotations begin, your life will inevitably become inundated with new tasks and responsibilities, so be sure that you head into your P4 year with clear goals and objectives of what you want to pursue and accomplish so that you do not lose sight of what's important to you.