Influences on pharmacy students' decision to pursue a doctor of pharmacy degree.
OBJECTIVE
To determine what influenced pharmacy students to pursue a career in pharmacy and how those influences varied among different racial groups.


METHODS
A 30-question survey instrument was developed and administered to doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) students at the University of Georgia and Florida A&M University. Data were analyzed to identify differences between students at different institutions and of different racial groups.


RESULTS
Most students were encouraged by someone to pursue pharmacy. Students cited encouragement by family members, pharmacists, and students as important influences. Work and volunteer experiences were also important influences. Few students were influenced by "career day" events.


CONCLUSIONS
Influences for pursuing a degree in pharmacy were remarkably similar across student groups. Public awareness campaigns that emphasize the benefits of the profession and programs that are designed to bring students into contact with the profession may be effective recruiting methods/strategies.
Anderson
Douglas C
DC
University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, GA, USA. danderso@mail.rx.uga.edu
Sheffield
Melody C
MC
Hill
Angela Massey
AM
Cobb
Henry H
HH
D000328:Adult; D002321:Career Choice; D003657:Decision Making; D004512:Education, Pharmacy; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000523:psychology; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000523:psychology; D012580:Schools, Pharmacy; D013339:Students, Pharmacy / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires