Covid and recent college graduates

Covid has taken a big impact on college students, especially by taking away their last semester. A goal that every student works hard for is graduation and to not be able to walk across the stage in front of your fellow classmates is upsetting. This year, instead of the typical large graduation ceremony, the University of the Sciences for example did something a little different. Haley Helms just earned her Doctorate of Pharmacy from University of the Sciences and she answered a few questions on how covid is affecting graduates just like her.   

Viora Health: How is this affecting graduating students with and without job offers? Do you have a job lined up?

Haley Helms: Doctor of Pharmacy, University of the Sciences, Philadelphia. “During my sixth and final year of pharmacy school which consists only of clinical rotations, coronavirus almost cancelled my last rotation which would have pushed back my official completion of my degree. Luckily, I was able to continue on with my last rotation by taking some precautions. Fortunately, I had already had a job locked down upon graduation with Acme Pharmacy so Covid did not affect that, however, it is affecting my start date.Coronavirus has caused many testing centers to either close completely or allow only half capacity. This unfortunately has delayed the time until I will officially be a licensed Pharmacist.” 

VH: Are you eager to use your career for the front lines?

HH: “Although COVID has impacted me in some ways, I know that I am lucky that I chose a career that is essential in times like these. I am excited that I can now use my degree on the front lines to help patients and try to ease their minds by staying up to date on my knowledge of COVID.”

VH: How was your graduation impacted?

HH: “Although COVID did not push my graduation date back, it did turn our ceremony into a virtual graduation. It was a nice ceremony and our school did its best under these circumstances but it did not feel like the celebration we deserved after six long, hard years of school.”