Pharmacy college job fairs play a critical role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. The fair provides a platform for pharmaceutical companies to communicate their hiring needs directly to students. This helps align educational programs with the skills that employers are seeking, ensuring that graduates are better prepared for the job market.
Students have the opportunity to meet recruiters, hiring managers, and professionals from pharmaceutical companies, research organizations, and healthcare providers. These interactions allow students to gain valuable insights into the industry, build connections, and sometimes even secure internships or job offers, stated Dr Raman Dang, principal, Krupanadhi College of Pharmacy. Representatives from industry leaders can share current trends, challenges, and advancements in the pharmaceutical field. This gives students a better understanding of the evolving landscape and what they can do to stay competitive and relevant in their future careers, added Dr Dang.
The big plus of job fair is career guidance through workshops, resume reviews, and one-on-one consultations with career advisors or industry professionals. This helps students refine their career goals and learn how to present themselves effectively to potential employers, he noted.
As an annual initiative, the Krupanidhi College of Pharmacy Job Fair and Career Expo will be held from December 6 to 7, 2024 at its campus in association with IPA (Karnataka Branch), APTI (National), PCI, FOPE, Karnataka Drugs Control Department, Karnataka State Pharmacy Council, KAPIVA, Belenous Hospital and Clinisol.
At this year’s event we envisage more involvement of industry, drive for a correct job definition, better participation, start-up ideation, interactive sessions and spot appointments, added Dr Dang.
There will be 55 pharmacy colleges and 40 pharma companies. In fact the outcome of last year’s event was 144 spot appointments.
For students interested in pursuing research roles, job fairs often serve as a venue to connect with pharmaceutical companies that offer research opportunities. It also opens doors to collaborations between academic institutions and pharmaceutical firms, leading to joint research projects or innovative programs, he said.
When students attend job fairs and engage with industry representatives, they not only increase their chances of securing jobs but also boost the confidence of employers in the overall quality of the academic programme. It is an opportunity for pharmacy colleges to showcase the calibre of their students, leading to potential partnerships with companies for recruitment, internships, and funding, Dr Dang told Pharmabiz.
This is an essential meeting point where academia and industry can engage in meaningful dialogue, enhance their mutual understanding, and collaborate to create a stronger, more capable workforce. The symbiotic relationship fosters a cycle of continuous learning, innovation, and growth, ultimately benefiting students, employers, and the pharmaceutical industry as a whole, he noted.
Further, job fairs expose students to a wide range of career paths beyond traditional pharmacy roles, such as positions in regulatory affairs, medical affairs, drug safety, and even pharmacy consulting. This helps students explore diverse opportunities within the industry.
It increases the reputation of academic institutions. Job fairs often reflect the strength and relevance of the academic programs a college offers. Strong industry presence is a signal to students that the institution is effectively preparing them for the workforce. Also active involvement in job fairs enhances a company's brand as an employer of choice. It also demonstrates their efforts in developing the next generation of pharmaceutical professionals and staying ahead of industry trends, said Dr Dang.
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