Class of 2006 Abstract / Objectives: To gain insight into current trends in pharmacy employment directly after graduation in the areas of community, hospital, pharmacy practice residencies and to relate those findings to environmental factors within the field. Methods: An exit survey was distributed to fourth-year students at The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy (UACOP) in the spring prior to graduation during the years 1993 to 2005. Among other items, the survey inquired about each student’s initial job selection. Group I consisted of data from the graduates of 1993-1995, Group II contained graduates from 1996-2000, and Group III included data from students during the years 2001-2005. The groups were compared using the chi-square method. Results: Data were collected from a total of 688 graduating students over the thirteen year period. Groups were assigned based upon the year of graduation. The largest reported difference between the groups was the percentage of students pursuing community practice, increasing from 25% to 51.8% between the groups, respectively (p <0.0001). Additionally, a significant reduction in percentage of students pursuing residency training was also noted, decreasing between Group I (36.2%) and Group III (23.7%), with p = 0.006. There were no significant changes in the percentage of students taking hospital positions throughout the study duration. Conclusions: Over the last 13 years, the percentage of students from The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy that choose community pharmacy as their initial employment is increasing. The percentage of students starting out in hospital pharmacy has remained relatively stable, while the fraction of students choosing to pursue residency training is declining. This trend may be influenced by a variety of factors, including increased salaries in community pharmacy, more openings in the retail practice area, and increased competition for residency positions.

Objectives: 1) Describe personal finance (PF) perceptions of the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Gatton College of Pharmacy Class of 2014 upon and 1-year post-graduation; 2) Examine the association between PF elective course completion during pharmacy school and post-graduation PF behaviors. Method: Students enrolled in the ETSU Class of 2014 completed a self-administered questionnaire that assessed student characteristics (e.g, participation in a PF elective during school), PF characteristics (e.g., student loan indebtedness), perceptions (e.g., confidence in ability to manage PF), and behaviors (e.g., monthly budgeting) one week prior to graduation and 18 months post-graduation. Paired and independent samples statistical analyses were conducted to examine changes in responses over time and PF course participation. Results: Sixty percent of the cohort completed both questionnaires. Students reported an average student loan debt balance of $155,571 (±$83,853) 18 months post-graduation and average loan term length of 17.3 (±8) years. Students’ concerns about their student loan debt were significantly higher prior to graduation as compared to 18 months post (p=0.01). No significant differences were noted for student loan debt amount or student loan term length across PF elective participation. Students who took the personal finance elective were significantly more likely to develop monthly budgets (p=0.01) and report positive career satisfaction as compared to students who did not (p=0.04) 18 months post-graduation. Implications: To our knowledge, this is the first study to track PF perceptions and behaviors of pharmacy graduates longitudinally. Continued tracking and analysis will inform PF curricular integration and alumni personal and professional development.