Why be involved at PCSP?

         I am Ginnie, a current P3 at PCSP. I can remember even from my interview, upperclassmen continuously suggested to me to become and stay involved. It wasn’t till classes began and the whirlwind of the semester began that I understood why it was so important to be involved and make a difference at PCSP. Since PCSP is a new school, as students, we are lucky enough to be building the foundation (especially in regards to student organizations) that our school will continue to build from. Each class will incessantly be diverse at PC and each one will contain a variety of people who decide to be active in the school and flex their leadership skills. In my opinion, the more you put in (not only the academia of pharmacy school, but also the student organizational side) the more you will take away from PCSP, along with your PharmD, once we graduate.

            One example on how to be involved is through student organizations. Each student organization on campus is involved with various process and decision making. In addition, each student organization has philanthropy that they raise money for and offer volunteer opportunities for throughout the year. Often times these involve service projects or health screenings within the community. Being involved in student organizations enables us to develop our leadership skills as well as make a difference throughout the community and represent PCSP during the process. Although it doesn’t seem like it, we are all representing the initial years of these organizations at PCSP and although they often have national chapters, we are building these various organizations from the ground up.

            Another example of how to be involved at PCSP is to attend functions and events that are continuously going on around us. These functions are carefully planned with intentions to raise awareness, raise money, promote health, or to educate the community. Each students’ support and assistance with these events aids in the success and overall gain for the public, the PC family, as well as the future of PCSP. It’s unbelievable what the addition of a few extra people can do during such events.

I can honestly say that even in my few years at PCSP, I have seen a huge change in a range of different processes and decisions made simply through the involvement of students in the decisions. It’s comforting and rewarding at the same time to be part of a “community” at PCSP where faculty and students can work together to make decisions, be recognized, and jointly make a reputation for PCSP that will stand long after we are practicing pharmacy in various places throughout the nation. Become involved in student relations at PCSP and inevitably you will walk away with much more than you considered you would.