UC's Pre-Health Internship Program Provides Pre-Pharmacy Student with Professional Experience for Future Career in Medicine

Dana Jutte is a pre-pharmacy major at the University of Cincinnati, co-chair of service for the Pre-Pharmacy Student Society and a member the National Society of Leadership and Success. Jutte chose UC for its nationally known pharmacy program and the size of UC’s campus.

Jutte’s interest in pharmacy stems from her desire to help and teach others. “As a pharmacist, I feel like I get the chance to teach people as well,” said Jutte. “I’ve always wanted something challenging in my life, and I think that pharmacy is going to be a challenging route. Not just through school, but pharmaceuticals is something that will challenge me my whole life.”

Jutte is currently interning with Good Samaritan Hospital at the in-patient and out-patient pharmacy. “(Learning about in-patient and out-patient) is necessary to grow as a health professional, to make sure you have the right fit in the profession you are in and make sure you love what you do,” said Jutte. “I chose in-patient because I have been in retail for three years and I like it there, but I wanted to expand my horizons and being in in-patient, it seems more closed off. I don’t see patients or get the communication with patients that I love in retail.”

Jutte has grown her communication skills during this internship. “It has shown me how to be more comfortable. If I don’t understand something, it is OK to ask questions, even though they may have given you an answer once before. I am growing and learning more about myself.”

To Jutte, the Pre-Health Internship Program is excellent. “To find what you actually love, you have to get all the stuff you are unsure about and Exploring Health Professions (PD1000) has given me the opportunity to try the things I am unsure about.”

Through the Pre-Health Internship Program, Jutte has had the opportunity to get the professional experience needed to build an application to apply for pharmacy school. “To get in pharmacy school, dental school or medical school, you have to interview, you have to speak from personal experience. The Pre-Health Internship Program is the perfect way to get professional experience. It allows you to say 'I tried this and loved it' or 'I tried this and didn’t like it' and to elaborate on that by adding personal stories to it.”