The College of Pharmacy's 4th Annual Industry & Research Symposium brought together students, alumni and professionals for an evening of connection, insight and career exploration on April 11 at The Otis Hotel in Austin.
Held in the heart of the University of Texas Campus District, this year's symposium saw expanded participation, reflecting continued growth in interest, reach and engagement. The setting at The Otis Hotel provided a fitting backdrop for the event, blending contemporary Austin energy with a space designed for gathering and exchange.
Hosted in collaboration with the Pharmacy Graduate Student Association (PGSA), UT Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) and the College of Pharmacy Alumni Association, the symposium is designed to strengthen professional networks and create meaningful dialogue between students exploring career paths and professionals actively shaping the pharmaceutical industry and research landscape.
The evening featured networking opportunities, roundtable discussions and interactive sessions focused on shared interests across industry and research. A pre-symposium networking reception for alumni and professionals set the tone for continued connection and informal mentorship before the students joined the broader program.
For student leaders, the event represented months of collaboration and a shared commitment to expanding access to industry careers.
Doeun Kim, Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO) President and Doctor of Pharmacy Candidate, Class of 2027, noted the symposium reflected the organization's mission to broaden awareness of diverse career pathways in the pharmaceutical industry while creating opportunities for students to engage directly with professionals.
"This event brought that mission to life," Doeun said. "It created a space where passionate students and professionals could come together, not just to network, but to genuinely connect and learn from one another."
She emphasized the importance of mentorship in a field where access and visibility can often be limited. "Pharmacy is a small world, but the pharmaceutical industry is an even smaller one," she said. "That's exactly why mentorship is so important in this space." Doeun noted strong post-event engagement, with all respondents indicating the symposium helped them identify mentors or professional contacts.
One of her standout moments came during the pre-symposium reception: "It was beautiful to see people who hadn't seen each other in years reconnecting," she said. "It reminded me this event is valuable not just for students, but for professionals strengthening their own networks as well."
Alexcia S. Carr, Pharm.D. and Pharmacy Graduate Student Association (PGSA) President, highlighted the symposium's role in connecting students across the College of Pharmacy's numerous academic pathways.
"This event was especially important to PGSA because we represent graduate students across five divisions of the College of Pharmacy," Alexcia said. "While our interests and training paths vary widely, one consistent theme is that our degrees can lead us into industry roles." She added that the symposium gave Pharm.D., M.S. and Ph.D. students a rare opportunity to engage directly with professionals and ask targeted questions about their career paths.
Alexcia also reflected on the keynote address as a defining moment of the evening. "Dr. Okoro's blend of personal stories and hard-earned perspective left a strong impression," she noted. "One of the key takeaways was his reminder to release the idea of a perfect blueprint. Instead, he encouraged us to stay open to being beginners again and to embrace the discomfort that comes with growth."
Beyond the program, Alexcia emphasized the collaborative nature of the event. "Working alongside Doeun was especially meaningful," she said. "Her student-centered approach shaped so many of our decisions. It was a joy to work with her and college staff members, Travis [Henry, Senior Alumni Relations Program Coordinator] and Daphne [Wolfe, Director of Career Engagement] to bring this event to life."
Attendee Alec Thompson, a national leader in the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO), highlighted the symposium's role in connecting academic preparation with real-world industry pathways. "Events like this bridge the gap between pharmacy school learnings and real-world industry roles," he said. "They help students understand what careers in pharma actually look like while also creating meaningful opportunities to build relationships early."
Alec also noted that students are increasingly proactive in pursuing industry careers earlier in their training. "Students are becoming more strategic and seeking earlier exposure. There's also a shift toward understanding the business and cross-functional side of pharma, not just clinical roles."
He praised the student organizers directly: "The students who ran the event were outstanding. This UT Austin group really stood out—very motivated and highly engaged."
The symposium also featured a keynote address from alumnus Tony Okoro, Pharm.D., MPH, Global Head of Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR) for Pharma at Alcon, who shared insights from his career and perspectives on the evolving role of pharmacists in industry and research.
As the evening concluded, the symposium underscored a central theme: meaningful growth in pharmacy is built through connection—between students, mentors, alumni and industry leaders.
By bringing together voices across academia and industry, the 4th Annual Industry & Research Symposium continues to expand opportunities for students to envision and pursue diverse careers in pharmacy and research, while strengthening networks that help shape those futures.