Under the supervision of the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Professor Dr. Sarmed H. Kathem Alkhateeb, In cooperation the University Psychological Counseling Unit with the Rehabilitation and Employment Unit at the University of Baghdad/College of Pharmacy held, as part of the activities of Guidance Week, a scientific discussion session entitled “Pharmacy Life After Graduation”, presented by Specialist Pharmacist Fatima Jumaa and Pharmacist Ahmed Tareef, along with members from the Pharmacine Club (Student Scientific Research Club), under the supervision of Professor Dr. Dheyaa Jabbar Kadhim, a faculty member at the Clinical Pharmacy Department.
The session aimed to shed light on the reality of the pharmacy profession after graduation, review the career paths available for graduates, and raise students’ awareness of the challenges they may face and ways to overcome them, while showcasing real-life success stories of graduates from the College of Pharmacy.
The session included several topics, including an overview of employment opportunities available for pharmacists in healthcare institutions and the private sector, the roles of clinical and community pharmacists, the importance of modern specialties, and the skills necessary for integration into the job market and professional advancement. Also, field experiences were presented by graduates who have demonstrated excellence in their workplace, in which Specialist Pharmacist Fatima Jumaa presented an overview of her experience in the Neonatal Department within the Baghdad Medical City Directorate, discussing the pharmacist’s role in preparing medications in a sterile manner and participating in determining appropriate doses for premature infants to save the lives of babies born before nine months, while highlighting the major professional challenges that she faced during her career. Furthermore, Pharmacist Ahmed Tareef discussed the essential foundations for success in the private sector, including pharmacy location selection, patient communication, and adherence to scientific standards to ensure safe and effective medication delivery.
The session concluded that it is important to enhance students’ practical skills, encourage them to explore the experiences of previous graduates, and motivate them to seek career paths that align with their interests, while underscoring the vital role that pharmacists play within the healthcare system, both in the public and private sectors.
