Contributed by Lauren Bartolome, IPhO Student Pharmacist Intern and President, University of Florida IPhO Chapter

Sometimes the more novel approaches to career development are approached cautiously. Students, fellows, industry and  experienced pharmacists of all practice settings are not accustomed to utilizing experienced coaches in order to achieve their career goals.  As a consequence, many aspiring and experienced industry pharmacists are  missing out on a valuable resource: the IPhO coaching service.

One of my assigned intern projects was to begin measuring the effectiveness of the IPhO Coaching Service in a pilot outcomes study. Under the guidance IPhO’s VP of Professional Development & Coaching, I developed a ten- question survey to measure satisfaction of participants including:  achieving their career goals, assistance in customizing their resume, identifying their strengths and weaknesses,removing any obstacles to advancing their industry career, and providing honest feedback and practical guidance.

One IPhO Coaching credit is redeemable for a 45-minute online video session. Pricing varies and is heavily discounted for IPhO student and experienced industry pharmacist members. Non- members can also participate, however the cost is not discounted. The coach meets with the participant online through SKYPE or Face Time and this method works very efficiently and easily. The agenda of the session depends on the participant’s priorities, which may include an evaluation of strengths and weaknesses and developing a personal career action plan. The coach is dedicated to providing honest feedback and practical guidance in order to assure the participant’s coaching objectives are met. For those with less experience in the industry, a coach may assist in resume review; those experienced in the industry may receive executive coaching to remove obstacles to higher performance.

Participation in the IPhO Coaching Service has been brisk especially for students, fellows, and early onset professionals in industry or those interested in making a career change. There are multiple coaches to select from based on the level of experience of the participant.  Coaching participants have utilized as few as 1 and as many as 5 coaching credits.

A separate follow –up report will be forthcoming to describe the findings of this initial pilot outcomes study.

As a student pharmacist intern and being assigned to working on the initial measurement of this unique professional pharmacy organization service, I was very interested in participating myself.

I found that the IPhO coaching service exceeded my expectations.  As a student pharmacist, my coach worked with me to customize my resume with industry specific language that relates to industry employers.   Here in Florida, we do not have direct access to major pharmaceutical companies, and industry rotations are extremely rare. In lieu of industry rotations, my coach identified rotational experiences that would provide transferable skills to industry to improve my chances to gain direct entry into industry or secure an industry fellowship.

Having a professional and confidential industry coach in which I can use to assist me in preparing to pursue an industry career is invaluable and boosts my confidence that I will be able to achieve my professional goals.