Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

Faria Farid, Pharm.D. Candidate of 2026

LIU has about 35 pharmacy organizations that host many professional development programs, electives, and outreach opportunities for students to get involved in. Applying to different organizations can be very scary, since added responsibilities can seem overwhelming and difficult to manage on top of the rigorous coursework we already have as student pharmacists. These organizations, however, can help shape us for our future careers, whether we are interested in community, hospital, or industry. It helps us become more well-rounded individuals, increases leadership skills, improves our critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and overall helps us see the true impact we have in healthcare and what being a pharmacist truly entails.

As a pharmacy student in my P3 professional year, I had no interest in being a part of any organization. I was also scared of applying; giving a speech in front of a large audience is truly nerve-wracking, especially because I am an introvert. I was interested in the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP); I attended PDPs, guideline, and journal clubs in P3. I took a chance and applied for President-elect and, to my surprise, I won. In my role I joined multiple outreach events and electives; including blood pressure clinics at independent pharmacies, a medication safety awareness outreach at a preschool, and the breast cancer and Parkinson’s walks. I encourage students to apply to positions in organizations that match their career goals and to step out of their comfort zone. This can lead to networking and skill-building opportunities, and overall destress from schoolwork.