By Katlin Sweeney
Editor in Chief
Students interested in entering the medical field or just wanting to learn more about a different profession should invest time in the Pre-Pharmacy Society on campus.
While the group used to exist on campus, current President Rustin Rohani and Treasurer Hassan Imani have decided to re-create the Pre-Pharmacy Society under new leadership, a cluster of goals and with a fierce passion that promises great things for the future.
“Our primary objective is to inform students about what they want to become, what major is necessary and applicable or what the points are that they need to cover before they apply to medical school. We’re really helping them make a checklist of the steps of how to succeed,” Rohani said.
Rohani and Imani came up with the idea to bring the group back to life when they realized the need for it on campus. While there are various groups in existence dedicated to different sides of the medical field, there was nothing more focused on pharmacy and the professions in that field. Inspired by the existence of societies like Pre-Dental and Pre-Health, Rohani and Imani decided to team up to create an organization that can operate as a forum and source of information for students.
“There is a certain mindset that students walk into college with, some of them knowing what their major is going to be and others not. But sometimes you know your major but have no idea what it really is or what you will be doing. So we want to help students be level-headed and prepare them,” Rohani said.
This “starting from scratch” mentality speaks volumes to the strength of Rohani and Imani’s vision. Both are Biology majors and have plans to enter the pharmaceutical or medical worlds after college. However, their genuine excitement and desire to help other students reach their potential demonstrates a keen sense of leadership and ability to teach that will be invaluable to others.
Their dedication to making the Pre-Pharmacy Society a premium resource for other students is evident by the fact that the duo is not only investing their time, but their own money. As Rohani explained, without money it is difficult for the group to plan events and make the club noticeable on campus. Thus, the two friends have been creating financial stability for the club out of their own pockets, paying for the banners and fliers that will generate interest and awareness that the society exists.
When the group eventually grows, membership fees will help to pay for the existence of the club. The duo’s long-term goals for the Pre-Pharmacy Society include providing guest speakers, food, activities and field trips for the members to enjoy. In the meantime, Rohani and Imani have already started educating their peers about the pharmaceutical world.
“During each meeting, we’re really going to be providing a run-down of individual topics and spend those meetings talking about them. It could be in regards to the job environment, the process of applying for medical school, applications to pharmacy school, what the deadlines are, forms that are due, etc.” Imani said.
In addition to providing information in accordance with application season and helping students understand what opportunities the profession has to offer, Rohani and Imani will be looking to members to tell them what they want to get out of the organization as well. Their objective is that by the time students leave CSUSM and have spent time with the Pre-Pharmacy Society, they will feel more invigorated and confident about pharmacy. Being involved in a group that gives students the means to communicate their hopes and challenges is a key element in what helps them progress to the next stage of education.
“For students that want to apply to medical school, it is important for the administration at these schools to see that they are not only one-sided. Students need to be not only book orientated and know the information from their science courses, but have social skills as well,” Imani said.
The Pre-Pharmacy Society gives dimension to students that will benefit them far beyond their years at CSUSM. It is inevitable that with the amount of excitement the duo has the club will become one of the best ways that students can become stronger forces in the job market and when applying for medical school. The group meets once a week on Thursdays during U-Hour in various rooms. For more information on the group and when they meet, email them at [email protected].