Pharmacy Student Ambassadors

Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts). 
I'm from Houston, Texas, and I love to paint, craft, and crochet. These hobbies allow me to express my creativity and relax in my free time. 

Why did you choose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin? 
During my undergraduate studies, I engaged in pharmacy research with various colleges of pharmacy. UT Austin's College of Pharmacy stood out to me because the faculty and staff genuinely care about their students. It's not just a prestigious institution; it feels like a close-knit pharmacy family. 

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador and a student in the College of Pharmacy?
I love interacting with prospective students and sharing all the exciting aspects of our college. It's incredibly rewarding to give back and bring excitement to future students, knowing I was in their position not too long ago.

What career path within pharmacy do you anticipate pursuing upon graduation?
I anticipate pursuing a residency and establishing myself as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital setting. 

Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts). 
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, I enjoy trying new food places in different cities and hanging out with friends. Some of my hobbies include watching sports and exploring Austin. Some fun facts about me are that I am a drummer, and all of my siblings and I are in different healthcare professions.

Why did you choose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin? 
I chose the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy because I wanted to attend the best pharmacy school in the state and ensure I positioned myself to become the best pharmacist I could be. Additionally, I wanted to challenge myself by moving out of my comfort zone and living in a city I was unfamiliar with, which would encourage personal growth.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador and a student in the College of Pharmacy?
I really enjoy taking part in Admitted Students Day. From attending as a newly admitted student to helping plan and participate in two Admitted Students Days, it is incredibly rewarding to see new students discover and learn about what the University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy has to offer and where their home will be for the next 4 years.

What career path within pharmacy do you anticipate pursuing upon graduation?
Upon graduation, I anticipate pursuing a career in clinical pharmacy. I still need to advance further in my coursework and gain more shadowing experience before deciding on a specific clinical field. However, as of now I am leaning towards either ambulatory care or internal medicine.

Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts). 
I am from McKinney, Texas, but my family is from Missouri. I have an older brother, and a dog, named Belle. As for my hobbies, I like photography and thrifting. Then a fun fact about me is that I was nearly scouted to train for the Olympics for gymnastics when I was little, and now I can still touch my toes.

Why did you choose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin? 
The primary reason I chose this college is because of the reputation it upholds and the vast network of alumni who have graduated from the college. I think the College of Pharmacy at UT is considered one of the best pharmacy programs in the country, and I wanted to attend a program that prepares its students thoroughly to be pharmacists like UTCOP. Another reason I chose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin was because I went to UT Austin for my prerequisites for pharmacy school and was somewhat familiar with the program and the research being performed. 

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador and a student in the College of Pharmacy?
I enjoy having the opportunity to interact with prospective students. I think being a student ambassador is a fun way to be involved with the College of Pharmacy. There is also so much that is happening at the college, and being an ambassador helps me keep up-to-date on what is being implemented and/or accomplished.  

What career path within pharmacy do you anticipate pursuing upon graduation?
After graduation, I’m looking at pursuing a career as a hospital pharmacist in oncology, but I have recently had a growing interest in ambulatory care. These roles in pharmacy have different aspects I want in my career such as patient interaction, but currently, I am leaning toward pursuing a more traditional clinical role in pharmacy. There are many career paths I am not fully aware of in pharmacy, but I am open to learning more about what they entail.

Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts). 
My name is Thomas Peña, and I was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, which is very close to South Padre Island. Because of this, I often spend time at the beach with friends and family when I'm back home. Besides that, I enjoy working out and playing basketball. A fun fact about me: I once got within 10 feet of Elon Musk.

Why did you choose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin? 
I chose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin because it has a great reputation and offers a first-rate education. I was really drawn to the program because it focuses on research, hands-on learning, and helping the community. The supportive teachers and lively campus made it the perfect place for me to follow my passion for pharmacy and build my career.

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador and a student in the College of Pharmacy?
Being a student ambassador and a student at the College of Pharmacy has been an incredibly rewarding experience. As a student ambassador, I enjoy the opportunity to represent my school and engage with prospective students, sharing my passion for pharmacy and helping them navigate their own educational journeys.

As a student in the College of Pharmacy, I really enjoy the education that gets me ready for a great career. The teamwork, variety of activities, and resources have helped me grow a lot. The support from professors, staff, and classmates has been amazing, making my time here both challenging and very rewarding.

What career path within pharmacy do you anticipate pursuing upon graduation?
Upon graduation, I plan to apply for a PGY1 residency with the goal of pursuing a career in oncology pharmacy. During my time at UTCOP, I have been actively involved in our college’s oncology organization, NCODA. Through NCODA, I have had the opportunity to hear from many inspiring speakers who have fueled my passion for oncology pharmacy and solidified my career aspirations in this field.

Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts). 
My name is Sydney, and I am from the Valley. I completed my undergrad at UTRGV with a bachelor’s in biomedical sciences and psychology. In my free time I love to read, go to different coffee shops, attend concerts, and travel. This past summer I went to South Korea and Japan with my mom! 

Why did you choose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin? 
My main reason for choosing the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin was for personal and professional growth. Based on the experiences of previous students, it would be the place I would have the most opportunity to grow. When I was considering what school to attend, I wanted to pick somewhere that would challenge me and help build me into the healthcare professional that I want to be (competent, empathetic, and experienced). Now that I am entering my third year of pharmacy school, I know that I have chosen the right school that fulfills my needs. 

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador and a student in the College of Pharmacy?
My favorite part of being a student ambassador is helping represent the college and answering questions that prospective students have. I love interacting with them, and I do my best to help them in any way I can. My favorite part of being a student in the College of Pharmacy is that I am in an environment where I am able to grow personally and professionally alongside my peers. I am constantly trying to be a better version of myself, and the College of Pharmacy does a great job of providing us the resources to be successful.

Give us some background on yourself (where you’re from, any hobbies, fun facts). 
I was born and raised in McAllen, TX, and attended UTRGV where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences along with two minors in Health Service Technology and American Sign Language. Apart from being in the pharmacy world most of my time, I enjoy dancing and performing, creating art pieces, and doing graphic designs. I continue to find time to do these activities such as dance while being in pharmacy school by attending weekly dance workshops on campus, where I have gotten recruited to be part of a dance team as well as met students from the university following different career paths. Other leadership positions I hold at the college include Pharmacy Council's Social Media Liaison and SSHP's Secretary. 

Why did you choose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin? 
I chose the College of Pharmacy at UT Austin because it is the #1 pharmacy school in Texas and also ranked high nationally. I always aspired to go to the best school possible in the career I would choose. Also, I got to work alongside many UT alumni at the pharmacy I work at, and they all always had great things to say about UTCOP. They continue to have their school spirit everyday! 

What do you enjoy about being a student ambassador and a student in the College of Pharmacy?
As a student ambassador, I love being able to help incoming and interested students learn more about the school that I attend and feel very proud to be a part of. I have been in their shoes before where I felt lost because it was a new and drastic experience for me, and I am glad I can help with telling them how I have managed to be here. As a student in the College of Pharmacy, I feel that I enjoy learning everyday and being pushed to challenges. I have also met some amazing friends along the way who I will always cherish and admire.

What career path within pharmacy do you anticipate pursuing upon graduation?
This is still an indecisive question for me as I do not know and am still on the search for what I really want to do.