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Achieving Professional Involvement
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by Pharmacist officers CDR Mary Kremzner, USPHS, and LCDR Christine Oliver,
USPHS
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As members of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service (Corps),
the importance of professional involvement is often stressed. We often become
involved with groups and committees affiliated with our everyday jobs to
fulfill this responsibility. However, it is equally important to get involved
with State professional associations. They are often overlooked as a way to
stay professionally connected. Yet, this involvement can help guide you through
your career at the same time providing you with new opportunities. |
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| State professional organizations want and
need your help. Your background as a Corps officer provides diversity and new
perspective, which these organizations want in order to move forward in the
21st century.
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| Participation provides you with many
benefits. For example, continuing education, listservs, access to meetings,
publications, and most importantly, participation keeps you updated with key
players and current trends in your field. Through the diversity of practice
settings represented in the organization, you learn of new opportunities within
your field such as training, local government appointment positions, and a
number of other opportunities.
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| Working on a committee is an ideal way to
learn new skills that you may not ordinarily be exposed to in your current
position. For instance, if you would like some budgeting experience, join a
committee that manages a budget for a program or project. If you enjoy writing
or want to gain writing or publishing experience, look for committees that
publish newsletters or other publications. Consider submitting an article to
your group's newsletter. Diversify your skills by participating in activities
you can't perform at your daily job.
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| Want to get involved but don’t know where
to start? At your next staff meeting, ask if anyone is a board member, speaker,
or otherwise involved in a State professional organization. Even better, attend
or call-in to the next Professional Advisory Committee meeting and ask fellow
officers, and then go with them to the next scheduled State professional
organization meeting. That is all it takes. Before you know it, you will be an
integral part of the activities and making a difference in your profession. |
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