Objective: To evaluate the impact guest speakers have on student development in a professional development seminar series.
Design: Over a 5-semester period, presentations were given by 18 guest speakers as part of a professional development seminar series.
Assessment: A 28-item survey instrument was constructed and administered to 68 students to assess the impact of the guest speakers on the students' professional development. Forty-six (68%) students completed the survey instrument, and the results demonstrated the value of the guest speakers, most notably in the areas of career development and professional responsibility.
Conclusion: Exposing pharmacy students to guest speakers from varied pharmacy career paths positively impacted students' knowledge of career options and professional development.
Keywords: advising; career counseling; guest speakers; mentoring; professional development.