Elizabeth Wilks

Why are you a member of CDC?

I wanted to join CDC because I felt very unprepared for my first career fair my PP1 year. I've since learned about elevator pitches, interview techniques, and how to craft the perfect resume. It is my hope that CDC can better help prepare Purdue's pharmacy family so that they can reach their future career goals.

How long have you served on the CDC?

I have been a part of CDC since my P1 year.

Why did you choose to come to Purdue to study Pharmacy?

Purdue's pharmacy program is one of the best in the nation. The faculty here are truly motivated to help students achieve their best and have been great mentors to both myself and my classmates.

What year are you in the program?

This year I am a P3 student.

Where are you from?

I am originally from Schaumburg, IL, but now my family and I live in West Lafayette, IN.

What has been the most challenging point about school?

The most challenging part of the pharmacy program is managing your time. For P2s and P3s, the semester is shorter and it can be difficult to keep up with everything. I've learned that it is important to have a planner to write in every meeting, review session, test date, and work shift.

What has been the most rewarding?

The most rewarding part of pharmacy school has been interacting with my classmates. Pharmacy is truly a small world and it is great to feel like part of a family.

What activities are you involved with and why have you chosen to participate in them?

Besides CDC, I also work at Walgreens as a pharmacy intern and am part of the Walgreens Student Leadership Club (if anyone else works at Walgreens and would like to join, feel free to email me!). I enjoy working at Walgreens because I get to spend most of my time interacting with patients.

What professional experiences have your participated in in the summers?

Each summer I have worked at Walgreens as a pharmacy intern. The summer before my P2 year, I had my IPPE at Sam's Club which was a great experience.

What are your future career aspirations?

I hope to work in the industry after graduation. I am really interested in clinical studies as well as collecting adverse event data.

What one piece of advice do you give to younger students in the program?

My biggest piece of advice would be to reach out and get involved. I really recommend getting to know your classmates as well as trying to join at least one professional club. I also think that working as a tech/intern is really rewarding.

What do you enjoy doing outside of Pharmacy school?

Outside of pharmacy school, I love going to Greyhouse Coffee with my friends. I also love traveling, photography, and watching random documentaries on Netflix.

What is your favorite ice cream?

My favorite ice cream flavor is Moosetracks at Silver Dipper.