Embracing Growth Through My Role as IPSF Regional Project Officer
Stepping into the role of Regional Project Officer for the International Pharmaceutical Students’ Federation (IPSF) PARO Regional Working Group has been one of the most rewarding, unique, and challenging experiences of my pharmacy journey. This position has not only broadened my understanding of global health but also instilled in me the principles of a growth mindset—the belief that challenges, feedback, and continuous learning drive personal and professional development.
Leading with Purpose
As the Regional Project Officer, I’ve had the privilege of coordinating projects across multiple countries within the Pan American region. These projects focus on issues that are close to my heart, such as HIV/AIDS awareness, public health education, and community outreach. It’s been eye-opening to witness the impact that pharmacy students, when united by a common goal, can have on a global scale.
However, with this responsibility comes the challenge of working across different time zones, cultures, and healthcare systems. Navigating these complexities has forced me to be adaptable, patient, and resilient qualities that have fostered a growth mindset.
Growth Through Collaboration
Collaboration is at the core of what we do in IPSF. Every project I lead involves coordinating with fellow pharmacy students, healthcare professionals, and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds. While it’s easy to assume that leading a team means having all the answers, I quickly learned that true leadership involves listening—to my team members, to the communities we serve, and to the feedback we receive.
The growth mindset has allowed me to view constructive feedback as a pathway to improvement rather than a personal critique. This shift in perspective has been instrumental in improving our projects, ensuring that they are more impactful and culturally sensitive to the needs of the regions we serve.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Working within IPSF is not without its challenges. There are moments when project timelines seem unmanageable, or when unforeseen obstacles arise. Instead of viewing these setbacks as failures, I now see them as opportunities to learn, adapt, and grow. By embracing the mindset that every challenge holds a lesson, I’ve developed better problem-solving skills, increased my resilience, and cultivated a deeper sense of self-efficacy.
This growth-oriented approach has allowed me to push beyond my comfort zone, whether it’s tackling a new public health issue or learning to navigate leadership roles in an international setting. The ability to adapt and thrive in new situations is a hallmark of the growth mindset, and it’s something that this role has nurtured within me.
Why Growth Mindset Matters in Pharmacy
As a future pharmacist, having a growth mindset is critical. The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt, learn, and grow will be essential in providing the best care for patients. Whether it’s staying up to date with new therapies or tackling global health challenges, the willingness to embrace change and pursue lifelong learning is vital.
My role in IPSF has taught me that growth doesn’t happen by staying in familiar territory—it happens when you embrace new challenges, listen to diverse perspectives, and commit to continual self-improvement.
Looking Ahead
As I continue in my role as Regional Project Officer, I remain committed to fostering growth, not just in myself, but in the teams and communities I work with. This opportunity has reinforced my passion for public health and infectious diseases, and it has shaped me into a more adaptive and reflective leader.
The growth mindset has been the key to unlocking new possibilities in my career, and I look forward to continuing this journey—seeking out new challenges, learning from them, and using every experience to better serve my future patients and the global pharmacy community.