Three USC College of Pharmacy students spent their summer gaining hands-on experience, from the halls of Capitol Hill to the boardrooms of corporate retail pharmacy.
Advocacy in Action
Sun Heslin, Class of 2028, traveled to Washington, D.C., for two months serving as this year's Carl F. Emswiller Summer Intern in Association Management at the American Pharmacists Association.
"This was an experience I wanted since early in my first year of pharmacy school, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity," Heslin says.
Heslin visited Capitol Hill several times, including attending discussions of the Mainstreet Pharmacy Access Act in the House Ways and Means Committee. Heslin later advocated for ECAPS, the Mainstreet Pharmacy Access Act and the PrEP Access Act in congressional offices, and met with U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga.
The internship concluded with the Summer Leadership Institute, where Heslin helped coordinate about 175 Capitol Hill visits for student attendees.
"It couldn't have ended better than with SLI, where I got to meet and learn from so many incredible student pharmacists — my favorite part of APhA-ASP," she adds.
Heslin will serve as president of the college's APhA-ASP chapter this year.
Pharmacy Beyond the Counter
Meanwhile, Max Swink, also a third-year student, completed a summer internship with Publix Pharmacy at company headquarters in Lakeland, Florida. The experience included attending a new store opening, participating in a Florida Board of Pharmacy meeting, and presenting a project to Publix corporate leadership, including the company's president and CEO.
"It shifted my perspective from focusing mainly on clinical decision-making in an outpatient setting to understanding the larger picture of business strategy, development, regulatory guidelines, and compliance with federal and state laws across Publix's operating footprint," he notes.
Reflecting on his experience, Swink feels the internship reinforced his interest in pharmacy leadership and gave him a broader perspective on the many ways pharmacists can contribute to patient care and the profession.
He shares this piece of advice, a lesson he learned from one of his mentors.
"Saying yes to new experiences, even when they are outside your comfort zone can lead to some of the most valuable lessons and opportunities you will have.”
Where Pharmacy Meets Business
For third-year student pharmacist Carli Muniz, she came across an internship opportunity with Teva Pharmaceuticals while searching LinkedIn and discovered the Innovative Medicines Marketing Internship. The internship helped her understand the integration of healthcare and business, as she pursues a Pharm.D. and an MBA.
“I gained an in-depth understanding of various marketing tactics, which will be helpful when taking business courses,” she says. “Most importantly, I expanded my network. Not only did I cultivate relationships with the Brand Team, but I also connected with individuals from research and development, agency partners, core media partners, fellow interns, and many other cross-functional areas.”
Muniz advises fellow students not to be afraid to step out of their comfort zone.
“The more involved you are, the more you get out of each experience. Don't be afraid to reach out asking if there are any opportunities for you to get involved,” Muniz adds. “You have nothing to lose by asking questions; you only gain more knowledge that will contribute significantly to shaping your career path.”
Topics: Pharm.D. Program, Student Experience