The 9th Annual Rutgers Pharmacy Speed Networking Event

In a field as broad and dynamic as healthcare, it is increasingly important to develop skills that are vital for professional growth. Establishing a network of professionals is paramount to success because it encourages collaboration and builds a more inclusive community within pharmacy. To help build such a community between students and professionals, in 2010, students from the Rutgers chapters of the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy and Alpha Zeta Omega collaborated to implement the first Annual Speed Networking Event at the Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy.

By doing so, they set a precedent for future classes who have continued to build upon its success. This year, my co-chairs and I had the privilege of hosting our 9th Annual Speed Networking Event in the John L. Colaizzi atrium of our newly renovated pharmacy building. Nearly 100 professionals were in attendance, and we had the honor of listening to our keynote speaker, Dean Joseph A. Barone, share his insights about the intrinsic value of networking. We also had the privilege of meeting Dr. Gaurav Gangoli, one of the original founders of the event, who has continued to support its growth.

Thanks to our new venue, we were able to accommodate a greater turnout of both students and professionals, enriching the overall networking experience. Students of all years had the opportunity to talk to professionals from nearly every aspect of pharmacy, from managed care to academia. We also changed this year’s event to include an open networking session, following the traditional speed networking rounds, to encourage conversations in a more real-world environment.

We would like to thank all of the professionals who took the time out of their busy schedules to attend our event this year. Without their generosity and dedication, we would have not been able to make this event a success. The Speed Networking Event is grounded on the idea that communication is key to professional growth. As simple as this idea may seem, it has far-reaching positive effects on the healthcare community because it builds meaningful professional relationships. We hope to continue to build upon this event’s success in the years to come, and we encourage everyone to attend.

Muhil Ravichandran Student at Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University

Original article published: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/9th-annual-rutgers-pharmacy-speed-networking-event-muhil-ravichandran

Published on this website with author's permission