Networking Works: Building Connections and Bridging Generational Gaps in Pharmacy
How Sylvia Ho (P3) and alumnus Steve Zielinski, BS '77, made the most out of the College's networking opportunities
The UIC College of Pharmacy is immensely proud of its expansive base of 10,000+ alumni. Not only are these alumni leaders in their respective fields, but they are also often guides and mentors for our current Pharmacy students and PhD candidates. With a pool of well-connected alumni, our students have noteworthy access to encouragement, mentorship – and even opportunities – that many do not.
Every year, the College hosts several networking events intended to connect current students with alumni, where they can share career advice and professional insights. One major plus of our networking events is that they often lead to opportunities that help students grow their skills as future pharmacists and pharmacy leaders.
These benefits are illustrated through P3 student pharmacist Sylvia Ho’s connection with alumnus Steve Zielinski, BS ’77. Steve and Sylvia met at the College’s Fall Mixer in October of 2019. Steve serves as the Director of Industry Relations at Kalderos – a company building unifying technologies that bring transparency, trust, and equity to the entire healthcare community. Sylvia currently serves as a Customer Success Intern at Kalderos, and her connection to Steve plays a large part in this role.
Networking can be challenging for students across industries, as many may be unsure of how to approach an alumnus or know which questions to ask. However, networking is a critical component to one’s ultimate career journey as it opens students up to a support system of mentors. Sylvia reflects on the importance networking has played in her time as a pharmacy student. “It’s best to take advantage of the opportunities and events that the College hosts. If I’m nervous to walk up and talk to someone at these events, I usually bring a friend with me to make it less awkward.”
Steve salutes Sylvia’s bravery in overcoming her nerves to network with alumni. “When Sylvia reached out to me, she asked about my passion for 340B pharmacy. I was very proud of Sylvia for reaching out.”
When Steve and Sylvia first met, she remembers being moved by Steve’s passion for the 340B Drug Pricing Program - a US federal government program requiring drug manufacturers to provide outpatient drugs to eligible health care organizations and covered entities at significantly reduced prices. At Kalderos, Steve is responsible for ensuring that stakeholders (e.g., manufacturers and retail pharmacies) are connected and understand the process of the program.
Steve’s passion for 340B stemmed from working in his own pharmacy at age 22. When one of his elderly customers needed to pay $85 for an antibiotic prescription, he started to cry, expressing that he could not afford the medication. “I am always thinking, ‘how can we be compassionate for people in need?’ That’s the question I carry with me in all the work that I do. Throughout my career, I was involved in federally qualified health centers that provide services on a sliding fee. I want to make sure that everyone gets affordable medications and affordable clinical services,” says Steve.
Jump to summer 2020 when Sylvia was on the hunt for an internship. She came across Kalderos and, after researching the company on LinkedIn, she realized that Steve worked for the company, which jogged her memory of their conversation at the Fall Mixer. Later that evening, Steve noticed that Sylvia saw his profile and encouraged her to apply for their Customer Success internship.
“When you attend these networking events, and an alumni’s story is meaningful to you, you remember it. Those connections can be helpful in the long run,” said Sylvia.
As a Customer Success Intern at Kalderos, Sylvia’s responsibility is to help the team find information and resources to assist patients. She recently completed a project where she had to research Medicaid policies in every state, expanding her knowledge of the healthcare landscape beyond Illinois.
Steve and Sylvia are both grateful for their connection, as they both have benefitted from knowing one another and from networking, in general. “The reason I attend these networking events is to introduce students to career paths that I have taken and express why I have a passion for what I do,” Steve says. He also explains how alumni engagement at College events helps established pharmacists understand current pharmacists and recent graduates' career landscape. “I want to know what’s in the heads of today’s pharmacy students -- what are they looking for? What are their expectations? If we don’t make time to do this, there will be generational gaps. We can bridge these gaps between younger pharmacists and established pharmacists with networking events like these.”
They both left tidbits of advice for today’s student pharmacists. Sylvia strongly encouraged students to overcome their nerves and make it a priority to network. “Get out of your comfort zone. You never know who you’re going to meet and the opportunities that will come along with it.” Steve agreed with this advice and added, “No matter what, don’t ever give up on what you think pharmacy is. Find your niche in pharmacy and once you find it, just continue to pursue it full-force.”