Connecting aspiring pharmacists with companies through mock interviews

Connecting aspiring pharmacists with companies through mock interviews

The transition from a college classroom to a corporate environment is a challenging path that young people must overcome. With support from USAID’s Youth Positive Opportunities campaign, young people in North Macedonia who aspire to become pharmacists are taking a step forward on that path.

Through an innovative approach, students had the opportunity to engage directly with the private sector, step into the “hot seat” and conduct mock interviews with representatives from nine leading pharmaceutical companies across the country.

“We had the opportunity to practice how to present ourselves in an interview,” said Boyan Georgiev, a student at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Skopje.

“It really broadens our students’ horizons and provides guidance for us after graduation,” added Margarita Taneva, a student at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Skopje.

This initiative not only provides a unique opportunity for young participants to showcase themselves in a professional environment, but also enables the company to discover emerging talents.

“We come to visit students. Therefore, the nervousness that fresh graduates feel when they come to our company for an interview disappears in this case,” said Mikhail Minov, a representative of Eurofarm.

More than just a meet-and-greet event, this event is an important step in opening up future collaborations between students and the private sector, laying the foundation for a successful career after graduation. The event stressed the importance of practical experience and industry exposure for students, highlighting the important role such initiatives play in preparing the next generation of pharmacists for future challenges and opportunities.

USAID’s Youth Active Opportunity campaign aims to close the gap between education and employment by providing students with the skills necessary for career success and working with youth, universities, and businesses to build partnerships for better economic opportunities.

Watch the event video: “Hot Topics” in the Eyes of Pharmaceutical Companies.

The event, hosted by the Career Center and Student Union of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Skopje at the University of Saints Cyril and Methodius in Skopje, is part of USAID’s Youth Active Opportunities campaign, which is implemented by IESC in partnership with the Youth Education Forum and the CEED Center in Skopje.

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