OLIVIA TERRELL- DEVELOPING A PROFESSIONAL MENTOR RELATIONSHIP (5+ POINTS)

I developed a professional mentoring relationship with Dr. Jessica Carter centered on academic guidance, career exploration, and preparation for a future in pharmacy. Dr. Carter serves as the Director of the Harding University College of Pharmacy Summer Internship Program and is an assistant professor at the university. In addition to her academic role, she continues to practice pharmacy at Unity Hospital in Searcy, Arkansas, which allows her to offer both scholarly and real-world perspectives.

This mentorship has been both supportive and challenging in meaningful ways. Dr. Carter consistently emphasizes honesty, self-reflection, and accountability, pushing me to think more intentionally about my academic choices and long-term career goals. Through our conversations, I gained a deeper understanding that success in pharmacy extends beyond strong scientific skills. Leadership, communication, ethics, and adaptability are equally essential. Her guidance helped me clearly define what an effective pharmacist looks like and the professional qualities required to truly serve patients and communities.

I have applied Dr. Carter’s guidance by becoming more confident in professional settings, asking thoughtful and purposeful questions, and pursuing opportunities aligned with community impact. This mentorship has helped connect my coursework, service experiences, and leadership roles into a focused professional path. Overall, this experience reinforced my goal to pursue a career in pharmacy with an emphasis on public health, education, and health equity. Moving forward, I plan to continue cultivating mentoring relationships and applying this guidance as I prepare for a career in pharmacy school and patient-centered care.

Olivia Terrell