This four-part series features stories from our alumni about how they found employment after graduation, along with advice from the pros at the Centre for Student Involvement and Careers.

Image: Martin Dee / UBC Communications & Marketing

Moh Kazem graduated from UBC Pharm Sci with a BSc(Pharm) in 2016. Here’s how Mo found his first pharmacy job.

What was your first job after graduating from UBC Pharm Sci?
Upon graduating and receiving the good news about my licensing exams, I began working as a staff pharmacist with Shoppers Drug Mart, where I still work today.

Tell us how you found employment after graduating.
Finding employment opportunities immediately after graduation may vary depending on your experiences as a student, but I found my first job by networking and being persistent.

Because of my previous experiences working for both independent pharmacies and corporations, I had gained insight into the services that different employers offered to recent graduates, and I wanted to have the flexibility to apply my drug knowledge in both a community pharmacy environment and through community outreach programs.

Upon hearing about the expanded services that Shoppers Drug Mart offered patients in the community, I contacted an associate there to discuss my passion for different community outreach programs, and my interest in his practice, which eventually lead to a job with the company.

Do you have any advice about finding employment for students who are about to graduate?
The simplest advice I can give students who will be graduating soon is to be persistent, and follow-up with every potential employment opportunity that presents itself.

Don’t limit yourself to a working environment that you don’t enjoy, as you will be working in this profession for a long time (hopefully) and happiness and a great working relationship with your co-workers and team members will carry you a long way.

Speak with your fellow classmates, colleagues, and alumni about potential employment opportunities, and always utilize the resources available to you such as the BCPhA, CPhA and other professional associations.

Finally, I want to emphasize that by the time you graduate from UBC Pharm Sci, you will have the skills necessary to secure yourself an employment opportunity, so be sure to make the most of all your experiences throughout the program.

Read the first post in the series here. Interview by Karie Hanson.

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