Business Skills Program
Two free business skills courses will start in Week 2 of Semester 1, 2008 . Read more...
The Faculty of Pharmacy has been extremely successful in producing graduates with the scientific and clinical knowledge and skills to equip them for careers in the pharmaceutical industry. However, approximately 85 percent of graduates choose to undertake a career in community pharmacy – most eventually owning and/or managing a pharmacy practice.
In this role, our graduates need additional business skills in areas such as leadership, marketing, human resource management, change management and services quality.
In order to address this need, the Pharmacy Practice Foundation has provided funds for the Foundation Chair in Pharmacy Management, Professor Lesley White, to develop the Business Skills Program, which was run for the first time in 2007. This program has evolved not only from an awareness of the need to provide additional business acumen for graduates who choose a career in retail pharmacy, but also as a result of student interest in continuing to develop their business awareness following completion of the Business Undergraduate Mentor Program.
The Business Skills Program is a voluntary course offered to Year 3 and Year 4 students in the undergraduate program and throughout postgraduate program. It is in addition to study load of the Bachelor and Master of Pharmacy programs. Entry is competitive and at present the intake is approximately 60 students.
Although additional to the standard student load, the program is planned to be able to be undertaken in conjunction with a full university load for committed students.
Professor Lesley White (Right)
What participants say about the Business Skills program
The Business Skills Program is open to applicants from both the Bachelor of Pharmacy and the Master of Pharmacy programs. We talked with students who had just completed the Leadership module, to see how they thought we were doing. All the students agreed that the program had been very worthwhile for them. In particular, they all commented upon how useful it was in terms of providing them with personal reflection and insight into they own style of leadership and interpersonal communications.
One of the best things about the program is that it covers work that is not included in the Bachelor program. I would definitely take more modules if I was still at Uni next year. I also learnt a lot about myself and my own values.
– Danny, Bachelor of Pharmacy Year 4
The course was great and very useful to me as I begin to plan for my pre-registration year. Participating in Year 4 was good as we have a lighter study load this year than in Year 3. But it would also have been good to have had the course available last year, so that I could have completed more modules before graduating.
– Charlene, Bachelor of Pharmacy Year 4
What I really liked was that I have begun to recognise and understand my own communication skills and abilities. I also learnt about what I could improve and how to begin that process.
– Belinda, Bachelor of Pharmacy Year 4
The program was really relevant to working as a pharmacist. At only two years in length, the master's course is too short to include pharmacy management and practice issues. This program gave me a good introduction to real communication issues I’ll face working as a pharmacist.
– David, Master of Pharmacy Year 1
I found it great from a perspective of personal development. I was able to see my strengths and weaknesses as a leader and team player. I can link this with ways of communicating within healthcare settings.
– Eva, Master of Pharmacy Year 2
I have started to understand not just how I react in situations, but also how others react and why that may be different to my reactions.
– Kerisha, Master of Pharmacy Year 2
I work in a pharmacy part-time, and I have already started to put into practice the communication and interpersonal skills I have learnt on this course, which has given me the opportunity to deal with situations in a more professional and guided manner.
– Badria, Master of Pharmacy Year 2
The program has helped me understand myself and my actions and reactions in the real world. This was very different from the formal pharmacy program, and a very useful addition to my learning.
– Lisa, Master of Pharmacy Year 2
2008 Business Skills programs Semester 1
There are two Business Skills courses running in Semester 1, 2008.
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1 |
Introductory Retail Management |
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2 |
Leadership 1 |
Who is elegible to take the courses?
These courses are for Years 3 and 4 Undergraduate and Years 1 and 2 Master's students.
Can I do both courses?
Even though you might be interested in both courses, we suggest you only apply for one, given the workload in your degree.
How much time does the course take up?
Each course will contain five 2-hour sessions. The courses will run from Week 2 of Semester 1.
Will it fit in with my other lectures?
Each course has a selection of session times to help you select the one that works best for you.
For Leadership 1, choose ONE of the following sessions:
- Monday 6–8pm
- Tuesday 10am–12noon
- Tuesday 12–2pm
Would you like to see detailed session topics for Leadership 1?
For Introductory Retail Management, choose ONE of the following sessions:
- Monday 12–2pm
- Monday 2–4pm
- Friday 1–3pm
- Friday 3–5pm
Would you like to see detailed session topics for Introductory Retail Management?
What do I need to do to apply?
You need to do two things by email:
- Lodge an expression of interest by midday Wednesday 5 March, stating which course you would like to take, and list all your available times in order of preference.
- Submit a one-page essay by 4pm Friday 7 March.
The essay topic for Leadership 1 is: Why leadership is relevant to pharmacy.
The essay topic for Introductory Retail Management is: Why retail management is relevant to pharmacy.
The essay is required to demonstrate your commitment to completing a five week course. It will be used to allocate places if the courses are oversubscribed.
What if I've already done another course before?
If you have completed the BUMP program or a previous business skills course, it is not necessary to submit an essay. You simply need to email your expression of interest, your choice of available times in order of preference, and state which of the courses you have already completed.
How many people are accepted in the course?
The class sizes will be small (a maximum of 20–25 students) to keep the the sessions very interactive and personal.
How much is the course?
The course is free.
What preparation do I have to do for each session?
There is no assessment or examination, however there is a small amount of reading required prior to each class.
Do I get anything for completing the course?
A certificate of achievement is distributed to all participants who satisfactorily complete the course.
Will more information be available when the course starts?
Professor Lesley White will be attending each of the first lectures of the course, where you will receive more information and can ask questions. Details will also be posted on the noticeboards, and will be available here on the web.
Are there any more courses this year?
These two courses will be the first of a series of ongoing different topics. The Leadership 1 program is a repeat of the course conducted in Semester 2, 2007. It is anticipated that the follow-on course, Leadership 2, will run in the second half of Semester 1, 2008.
Who do I send my information and essays to?
Send all details, expressions of interest, essays, session times etc by email to Eleanor Luntao, whose details are below.
Introductory Retail Management in detail
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Module |
Topic |
Contents |
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Week 1 |
Merchandise purchasing
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Week 2 |
Category management
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Week 3 |
Financial merchandise management
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Week 4 |
Store location
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Week 5 |
Retail strategy
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Back to Business Skills Courses FAQs...
Leadership 1 in detail
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Module |
Topic/Key messages |
Activity |
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Week 1 |
Exploring leadership potential
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Week 2 |
Leadership behaviours
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Week 3 |
Visionary leadership – knowing where you are going!
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Week 4 |
Communicating with others
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Week 5 |
Teamwork – two plus two equals five
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Back to Business Skills Courses FAQs...
More information
For more details on any aspect of the program, please contact Eleanor Luntao:
e.luntao@usyd.edu.au