Petrea Cober, Pharm.D., was recently named director of workforce development in the College of Pharmacy’s Office of Student Success. As the College’s director of professional development, Dr. Cober has helped faculty and staff develop their careers. Now, she will also work with students, preparing them for pharmacy internships during school and career planning after pharmacy school, for example, helping them find and explore jobs, fellowships and residencies.
She shared her thoughts on her new role with The Pulse.
What do you hope to achieve in the role? What are your goals?
In this role, I hope to work with students so they can obtain the pharmacy internships they need to be successful in their careers and then positions after graduating from pharmacy school, whether that be further training through either a residency or fellowship or their first pharmacist position.
I also want to work with our area hospitals and practice sites to see what skills they desire in employees both as students and graduates. I want to work with them to establish even stronger relationships to ensure the training students receive at NEOMED establishes them as the top candidates for positions in the profession. In the same way, I want to work with the hospitals and practice sites to see what NEOMED students and graduates can do to advance the profession of pharmacy as their employees.
Will you still be teaching and practicing? Any tips for balancing roles in administration, the classroom and practice?
I will maintain my teaching primarily in pediatrics, maternal health and nutrition support but will add some career advising/preparation and professional identity formation to this list.
After 20 years of rounding with medical teams, I will be leaving my official role in clinical practice. However, I will still be actively involved in various national organizations promoting education within pharmacy, particularly in the areas of pediatrics and nutrition support.
Since I started my academic career in 2007 as a shared faculty member at the University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, this will be the first time I have not had to balance numerous academic and clinical responsibilities, so I am excited about the time I will be able to devote to our student’s professional development.
To keep my life balanced, I keep an organized schedule and prioritize items accordingly. The more challenging balancing trick currently is my own schooling. I decided to enroll in a Master of Health Professions Education program between Cleveland State University and the Cleveland Clinic Foundation this August. It has been interesting going back to school after 20 years.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I am excited about the opportunities this position has to offer and want to see our students succeed. I think many students become discouraged when their career pathway takes some unexpected turns. I want to be there to help guide them through these deviations, which I have found often result in a path that you may have never expected but that leads to some of the most exciting and fulfilling experiences.