Students Embrace Future Career Trajectories at the Annual Pharmacy CAREERxPO

Possibilities abounded for College of Pharmacy, Downers Grove (CPDG) students during meetings with recruiters at the annual CAREERxPO on the Downers Grove Campus. Approximately 30 healthcare organizations, including retail pharmacies and hospitals, met with students about a variety of possibilities, such as residency programs. The opportunities hail from Illinois and several states including Indiana, Georgia, Ohio, and North Carolina.

Pharmacy students expressed their appreciation for the variety of connections to future career opportunities. Kristine Nguyen (CPDG ’25) shared, “It’s a great experience being able to talk to pharmacists about their workload and residency programs. I am still deciding between residency, fellowship, or retail.” Lubna Ahsan (CPDG ’25) said the event is important to “network with people and see what programs offer residencies and fellowships, get information on what each program has to offer, and meet preceptors.” Diane Ho (CPDG ’25) expressed the importance of meeting the recruiters in person as they will remember the personal connection. “You never know if you’ll be working with them in the future,” Diane said. Sana Ahmed (CPDG ’25) added, “This event gives us a head start looking for a job. It’s nice to have someone to talk to, nice options instead of an online search, it makes this so much easier.” 

Students also discussed the types of opportunities available and their vested interest in these opportunities. Mutasem Ahmad (CPDG ’25) expressed an interest in the Wal-Mart residency. Dalal Bahnam (CPDG ’25) is considering opportunities in retail and residency. Ali Hani (CPDG ’25) and Alyaa Alshimmary (CPDG ’25) are considering opportunities in telepharmacy. Samiyah Anwar (CPDG ’25) mentioned an interest in community pharmacy opportunities. And, Chris Aguilar (CPDG ’25) expressed an interest in an informatic rotation opportunity. 

Some of the recruiters included Midwestern University alumni who returned to the University to offer opportunities to students from their alma mater. Students expressed that it was rewarding to talk to alumni and see former cohorts. Alyaa shared that, “It was nice to see them. They went through the same thing too.” Alyaa said they can ask them for advice and hear about their experience in residencies and other opportunities.

Leila Jonbos, Pharm.D., (CPDG ’24), PGY1 Pharmacy Resident, Advocate Aurora Health, said, “It’s nice to give back to our Midwestern University community, coming back here, sharing where we’re at, and giving advice and feedback. The school prepared us to be independent and learn as we go.” She also discussed the importance of the career fair. “It’s important for the future of students to meet with future prospective employers,” Dr. Jonbos said. 

“I graduated from Midwestern University. It’s a wonderful program, and the education and experience prepare the students for the future,” said Don Johnson, RPh, (CPDG ’02), Pharmacy District Manager, Western Region, Meijer.  

Ripa Katwala, Pharm.D., (CPDG ’06), Pharmacy Talent Acquisition Partner, Walgreens, shared, “My education at Midwestern University gave me the basic backbone of the clinical knowledge I needed to pass the boards and classes, help me prosper, and effectively communicate.” Dr. Katwala is planning to become more involved with networking events and student organizations at Midwestern University, and shared, “My goal is to build that relationship with students and educate them about the vast amounts of career growth opportunity Walgreens has to offer.” 

Recruiters also discussed their interactions with the pharmacy students. 

Diana Poledna, University Relations Manager, CVS, shared, “I’ve been very happy to see so many students turn out for this career fair.” She added that the students asked good questions and were comfortable approaching and talking to the recruiters. 

Kendall Kolk, Pharm.D., M.S., PGY2 Ambulatory Care Pharmacy Resident, University of Iowa Healthcare said they are recruiting for the upcoming residency year, and shared that the students showed a positive interest in their programs. “Events like the career fair are important with the opportunities available. Students get pharmacy exposure and adventures they haven’t even thought of. It shows them opportunities pharmacists can have outside in the real world.”

Diana Penev, Pharm.D., PGY1 Resident, Ascension, shared, “it’s been a great experience. A lot of people are interested in residency.”

Career planning events like the CAREERxPO offers students the opportunity to get a jump start on the next phase of becoming future pharmacists.