On November 24th, 2023, Dr. Ghattas Saad Abudawoud led a career counseling session, titled “Success Prescriptions: Navigating the Path from Undergraduate to Clinical Pharmacist”. Dr. Ghattas is a clinical pharmacist practicing in Ibrahim Obidallah Hospital and Obidallah Geriatric Hospital, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Dr. Ghattas pursued his master’s degree in clinical pharmacy from Gulf Medical University, Ajman in 2022 with a major specialization in infectious diseases. He is interested in pharmacy automation and informatics and he is an active member in IVPN-Network and is the project manager of IVPN Patient SupportListservs.
One of the focal points of the session was the “job hunting” and the importance of standing out in pursuing one’s desired career. Dr.Abudawoud emphasized the value of taking initiative and trying new approaches, reassuring participants that there’s no wrong direction, only the path that’s best for them.
In the context of the ongoing global crisis, Dr. Abudawoud capitalized on the significance of adaptability and crisis management. He shared how the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic led him to pursue a master’s degree and underscored the importance of being an adaptable person in the ever-changing professional landscape.
The session concluded with a powerful take-home message: while knowledge is essential, the emphasis should be on developing skills. Dr. Abudawoud shared lessons learned from his experiences, including accepting failure, overcoming fear, stepping out of comfort zones, and leaving a lasting impact.
