MCQ Quiz: Career Development

Career development is a deliberate and ongoing process that begins long before graduation. The PharmD curriculum, particularly the Personal and Professional Development series ,, is designed to equip students with the tools they need to explore diverse career paths, build a professional Curriculum Vitae (CV), and master interviewing skills. This quiz will test your knowledge on these essential components of career planning, from understanding post-graduate training options to preparing for a successful job interview.

1. A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is best described as:

• a. A one-page summary of your work history.
• b. A comprehensive document detailing your academic, professional, and scholarly activities.
• c. A cover letter.
• d. A document used only for applying to residencies.

Answer: b. A comprehensive document detailing your academic, professional, and scholarly activities.

2. The PPD 4 course explicitly covers developing a CV and refining what other key career skill?

• a. Compounding skills
• b. Financial planning skills
• c. Interviewing skills
• d. Dispensing skills

Answer: c. Interviewing skills

3. An interviewer asks, “Tell me about a time you had to handle a difficult patient.” This is an example of what type of interview question?

• a. A situational question
• b. A behavioral question
• c. A technical question
• d. A stress question

Answer: b. A behavioral question

4. The STAR method is a structured way to answer behavioral interview questions. The “A” stands for:

• a. Assessment
• b. Action
• c. Attitude
• d. Answer

Answer: b. Action

5. A Post-Graduate Year 1 (PGY1) pharmacy residency is designed to provide:

• a. A focus on a single, highly specialized area of practice.
• b. Training for a career in the pharmaceutical industry only.
• c. A broad range of experiences in various areas of pharmacy practice, building on the knowledge from a PharmD program.
• d. The skills needed to manage a community pharmacy.

Answer: c. A broad range of experiences in various areas of pharmacy practice, building on the knowledge from a PharmD program.

6. The “exploration of career pathways” is a specific topic in the Personal and Professional Development curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

7. A Post-Graduate Year 2 (PGY2) pharmacy residency is focused on:

• a. General pharmacy practice.
• b. A specialized area of practice, such as oncology, critical care, or pediatrics.
• c. Non-sterile compounding only.
• d. Preparing for the NAPLEX.

Answer: b. A specialized area of practice, such as oncology, critical care, or pediatrics.

8. Which of the following is a key difference between a pharmacy residency and a fellowship?

• a. Residencies are typically focused on developing clinical practice skills, while fellowships are primarily focused on research.
• b. Fellowships are shorter than residencies.
• c. Residencies are only for students who want to work in a hospital.
• d. There is no difference.

Answer: a. Residencies are typically focused on developing clinical practice skills, while fellowships are primarily focused on research.

9. Which of the following should NOT be included on a professional CV?

• a. Education and work experience.
• b. Research and publications.
• c. Professional service and leadership roles.
• d. Your age, marital status, and hobbies.

Answer: d. Your age, marital status, and hobbies.

10. When preparing for a job interview, it is important to:

• a. Research the organization or company.
• b. Prepare examples of how you have demonstrated key skills.
• c. Prepare questions to ask the interviewer.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

11. The PPD 3 course focuses on exploring career pathways.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

12. Using a professional font, consistent formatting, and proofreading for errors are all important aspects of:

• a. Answering an interview question.
• b. A residency research project.
• c. Creating a high-quality CV.
• d. Patient counseling.

Answer: c. Creating a high-quality CV.

13. A key part of the “Result” step in the STAR method is to:

• a. Describe the situation.
• b. Explain the task you had to do.
• c. Detail the actions you took.
• d. Quantify the positive outcome of your actions.

Answer: d. Quantify the positive outcome of your actions.

14. A pharmacist working for an insurance company or a PBM to manage formularies and conduct drug utilization reviews is practicing in what area?

• a. Community pharmacy
• b. Hospital pharmacy
• c. Managed care pharmacy
• d. Nuclear pharmacy

Answer: c. Managed care pharmacy

15. Experiential education courses like IPPEs are a valuable part of career development because they:

• a. Allow students to explore different practice settings firsthand.
• b. Help students build a professional network.
• c. Provide experiences to include on a CV.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

16. Developing a “five-year plan” is a common exercise in:

• a. Sterile compounding
• b. Pharmacokinetics
• c. Personal career planning
• d. A journal club presentation

Answer: c. Personal career planning

17. “Networking” in a professional context means:

• a. Connecting computer systems.
• b. Building relationships with colleagues, preceptors, and other professionals in the field.
• c. Socializing with friends outside of work.
• d. Adding as many people as possible on social media.

Answer: b. Building relationships with colleagues, preceptors, and other professionals in the field.

18. A “letter of intent” is a key component of what application process?

• a. Applying for a pharmacy intern license.
• b. Applying for a pharmacy residency or fellowship.
• c. Applying for a DEA number.
• d. Applying for a pharmacy permit.

Answer: b. Applying for a pharmacy residency or fellowship.

19. What is a key skill demonstrated by leading a project for a student organization?

• a. Leadership and teamwork.
• b. Time management.
• c. Communication.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

20. An active learning session on career development is a likely component of the PPD curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

21. A pharmacist who provides in-depth medication management in a physician’s office or clinic is practicing in what setting?

• a. Inpatient hospital pharmacy
• b. Ambulatory care pharmacy
• c. Mail-order pharmacy
• d. Nuclear pharmacy

Answer: b. Ambulatory care pharmacy

22. Which of the following is an example of a “soft skill” that is critical for career success?

• a. The ability to calculate a creatinine clearance.
• b. Knowledge of antibiotic spectra of activity.
• c. Effective communication.
• d. The ability to compound a sterile product.

Answer: c. Effective communication.

23. The PPD 4 course covers the refinement of interviewing skills.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

24. An active learning session on professional development is part of which course?

• a. PHA5024C Personal and Professional Development 4
• b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
• c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
• d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2

Answer: a. PHA5024C Personal and Professional Development 4

25. A pharmacist’s professional development is complete upon graduation.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: b. False

26. Joining a professional pharmacy organization like APhA or ASHP is important for:

• a. Networking opportunities.
• b. Staying current with professional issues.
• c. Accessing continuing education and leadership opportunities.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

27. An “elevator pitch” is a tool used in career development to:

• a. Briefly and concisely introduce yourself and your professional goals.
• b. Ask for a ride in an elevator.
• c. Present a full patient case.
• d. Answer a behavioral interview question.

Answer: a. Briefly and concisely introduce yourself and your professional goals.

28. An active learning session on career development is part of which course module?

• a. The PPD series, particularly PHA5023C and PHA5024C.
• b. The Diabetes Mellitus Module
• c. The Women’s Health Module
• d. The Geriatrics Module

Answer: a. The PPD series, particularly PHA5023C and PHA5024C.

29. The concept of “lifelong learning” is central to:

• a. A successful pharmacy career.
• b. Maintaining professional competence.
• c. Fulfilling continuing education requirements for licensure.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

30. The development of a professional identity is a foundational topic in the PPD 1 course.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

31. A “portfolio” is a career development tool that:

• a. Is the same as a CV.
• b. Contains a collection of work and reflections that demonstrates your skills and growth over time.
• c. Is only used by artists.
• d. Is submitted in place of a job application.

Answer: b. Contains a collection of work and reflections that demonstrates your skills and growth over time.

32. The primary goal of a residency is to:

• a. Earn a high salary.
• b. Accelerate your growth beyond entry-level competence into a clinical practitioner.
• c. Avoid working in a community pharmacy.
• d. Conduct basic science research.

Answer: b. Accelerate your growth beyond entry-level competence into a clinical practitioner.

33. The curriculum emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, which is a key skill for a hospital pharmacist career.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

34. Which of the following is a non-traditional career path for a pharmacist?

• a. Community pharmacy
• b. Hospital pharmacy
• c. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical industry
• d. Ambulatory care pharmacy

Answer: c. Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the pharmaceutical industry

35. A key part of career planning is:

• a. Self-assessment of your own interests, values, and skills.
• b. Researching different career options.
• c. Setting career goals.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

36. A thank-you note or email after an interview is:

• a. An outdated and unnecessary practice.
• b. A professional courtesy that reinforces your interest in the position.
• c. Only necessary if you are offered the job.
• d. A sign of desperation.

Answer: b. A professional courtesy that reinforces your interest in the position.

37. Which of the following should be listed first in the “Education” section of a PharmD student’s CV?

• a. Their high school diploma.
• b. Their pre-pharmacy coursework.
• c. Their Doctor of Pharmacy degree (in progress).
• d. Any undergraduate degree they have earned.

Answer: c. Their Doctor of Pharmacy degree (in progress).

38. The “explore career pathways” objective is part of the PPD 3 course.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

39. A pharmacist working for a government agency like the FDA or CDC is in what area of practice?

• a. Community
• b. Hospital
• c. Public Health
• d. Managed Care

Answer: c. Public Health

40. An active learning session covering career development is part of which course?

• a. PHA5024C Personal and Professional Development 4
• b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
• c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
• d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2

Answer: a. PHA5024C Personal and Professional Development 4

41. The most important part of career development is:

• a. Having a perfect CV.
• b. Being proactive and taking ownership of your own professional growth.
• c. Waiting for opportunities to be offered to you.
• d. Attending every social event.

Answer: b. Being proactive and taking ownership of your own professional growth.

42. A “mentor” in career development is someone who:

• a. Can find you a job.
• b. Is your direct supervisor.
• c. Provides guidance, advice, and support based on their own experience.
• d. Is the same age as you.

Answer: c. Provides guidance, advice, and support based on their own experience.

43. A pharmacist’s career path is a linear progression with no changes.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: b. False

44. At the end of an interview, when asked, “Do you have any questions for us?”, the best response is:

• a. “No, you’ve covered everything.”
• b. To ask insightful questions about the role, the team, and the organization’s culture.
• c. To ask how much vacation time you get.
• d. To ask when you can expect a raise.

Answer: b. To ask insightful questions about the role, the team, and the organization’s culture.

45. Which of the following would strengthen a CV?

• a. A leadership role in a student organization.
• b. A research presentation at a professional meeting.
• c. A part-time job as a pharmacy intern.
• d. All of the above.

Answer: d. All of the above.

46. “Professionalism” is a key theme throughout the PPD curriculum.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

47. The skills required for different pharmacy careers (e.g., community vs. industry) can be very different.

• a. True
• b. False

Answer: a. True

48. An active learning session on developing a CV is part of which course?

• a. PHA5024C Personal and Professional Development 4
• b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
• c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
• d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2

Answer: a. PHA5024C Personal and Professional Development 4

49. The overall goal of the career development components of the curriculum is to:

• a. Ensure every student gets a residency.
• b. Prepare students to be competitive and successful in securing post-graduate positions or employment.
• c. Help students write the perfect cover letter.
• d. Choose a career for the student.

Answer: b. Prepare students to be competitive and successful in securing post-graduate positions or employment.

50. The ultimate reason to engage in career development is to:

• a. Find a career path that is personally and professionally fulfilling.
• b. Make the most money possible.
• c. Impress your professors.
• d. Have the best looking CV.

Answer: a. Find a career path that is personally and professionally fulfilling.