{"id":2433,"date":"2026-10-09T16:30:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T16:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.pharmacy.umaryland.edu\/insidesop\/?p=2433"},"modified":"2026-10-09T16:30:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T16:30:26","slug":"considering-a-career-in-regulatory-affairs-how-raps-convergence-pushed-me-out-of-my-comfort-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.pharmacy.umaryland.edu\/insidesop\/2026\/10\/09\/considering-a-career-in-regulatory-affairs-how-raps-convergence-pushed-me-out-of-my-comfort-zone\/","title":{"rendered":"Considering a Career in Regulatory Affairs? How RAPS Convergence Pushed Me Out of My Comfort Zone"},"content":{"rendered":"

A second-year PharmD student reflects on her experience at RAPS Convergence, exploring regulatory affairs, building professional connections, and discovering how stepping outside her comfort zone can unexpectedly open many doors.<\/em><\/p>\n

By Brianna Sloan, a second-year student pharmacist<\/em><\/p>\n

As a second-year PharmD student at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy (UMSOP), I\u2019ve been exploring career paths beyond traditional pharmacy practice. Regulatory affairs was an area I wanted to learn more about, but I wasn\u2019t sure what a career in the field looked like or where a pharmacy student might fit. That curiosity led me to attend Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) Convergence in Charlotte, N.C. in September. I expected to learn about regulatory affairs and explore potential career opportunities. What I didn\u2019t expect was how much the experience would challenge me to step outside my comfort zone in the best way possible.<\/p>\n

Why I Decided to Go<\/strong>
\nBefore attending Convergence, I knew that networking was important for professional development, but it never came naturally to me. Walking into a conference filled with experienced professionals and top leading industry representatives was intimidating. I decided to approach the conference with an open mind and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible, introduce myself, ask questions, and listen. That became especially important when I discovered the attendee passport challenge.<\/p>\n

The Competition that Changed how I Network<\/strong>
\nThe attendee passport challenge encouraged attendees to visit exhibitors throughout the exhibit hall. For someone who was nervous about networking but fueled by a competitive spirit, this was the push I needed to start conversations. Instead of wondering if I should approach an exhibitor, I had a reason to walk up, introduce myself, and learn about their organization. After doing this repeatedly, each conversation became easier. I ultimately completed the challenge in first place and won the $200 prize! While winning was exciting, the bigger reward was realizing that networking was not nearly as intimidating as I thought and that confidence is built by putting yourself in uncomfortable situations.<\/p>\n

Students can do more than aust Attend
\n<\/strong>One of my favorite parts of Convergence was discovering the ways students could become involved beyond attending lectures. I spoke with Brian Savoie, RAPS\u2019 senior vice president of education and international programs, about the possibility of starting a RAPS academic chapter at UMSOP. This conversation made me think about how I could bring some of the opportunities I discovered at Convergence back to my classmates.<\/p>\n

I also participated in a focus group about the RAPS website. Providing a student perspective showed me that we can contribute to professional organizations in more ways than internships or paying chapter dues.<\/p>\n

Another memorable experience was participating in a Solutions Circle, specifically \u201cThe Volunteer Sandbox: Accelerating Regulatory Leadership through RAPS.\u201d Through the interactive format, I heard different perspectives about how individuals get involved and participate in a leadership discussion within the regulatory community.<\/p>\n

These experiences changed the way I thought about professional organizations. I had always viewed them as places to attend conferences and learn from experts. At Convergence, I learned that they also provide opportunities to volunteer, contribute ideas, develop leadership skills, and make an impact as a student.<\/p>\n

Making Connections that Actually Mattered
\n<\/strong>The conference also gave me opportunities to learn from people working in and around regulatory affairs. I participated in Find-a-Mentor sessions, where I met professionals who shared their experiences and career paths. One of these connections was April Nguyen, PharmD, whose foundation, Pharmacy Legislative Watch (PLW), has previously worked with UMSOP. Conversations like these helped make regulatory affairs careers feel attainable. Rather than simply researching the field online, I heard directly from people who have built paths in areas I am considering and some I hadn\u2019t even known existed.<\/p>\n

I also watched several capstone project presentations completed by students in UMSOP\u2019s MS in Regulatory Science program. Seeing how RAPS provides a platform for students to present their work to experienced professionals is another example of how students can gain exposure in the regulatory science community.<\/p>\n

Seeing the Industry from Different Perspectives
\n<\/strong>While in Charlotte and outside of my activities with RAPS, I participated as an event-planning intern with Solstice Intelligence, a small business startup. Getting involved with a smaller organization while attending a large professional conference gave me an interesting view on the variety of opportunities available within the pharmaceutical and regulatory space. The conference also reminded me that professional development does not always happen in a classroom or during a formal presentation. Sometimes it happens helping someone set up an exhibit booth or rushing to eat lunch together.<\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t all Business<\/strong>
\nSome of my favorite moments happened outside of the educational sessions at RAPS. The closing party at the NASCAR Hall of Fame was a fun way to end the conference and gave attendees another chance to socialize and connect in a more relaxed environment. I also took advantage of the opportunity to get a free professional headshot. Small benefits like these made the conference feel more like an opportunity to join a professional community rather than a pressurized performance with your future on the line.<\/p>\n

So, was it Worth tt?
\n<\/strong>For me, absolutely. I left RAPS Convergence with a better understanding of regulatory affairs, new professional connections, ideas for bringing RAPS opportunities to UMSOP, and a greater appreciation for the career paths available to pharmacy students. I left with confidence I never expected to find when I first walked into the Charlotte Convention Center.<\/p>\n

Before the conference, I knew I needed to improve my networking skills. By the end, I had approached exhibitors, participated in meaningful discussions, contributed to a focus group, connected with mentors, and had conversations I probably would not have trusted myself to initiate before attending.<\/p>\n

For other pharmacy students who are curious about regulatory affairs, my best advice is not to feel like you need to have your career figured out before attending a conference. Go with questions, be curious, and take advantage of opportunities. You never know which conversations might introduce you to a new career path, a mentor, an opportunity for your school, or create more confidence in yourself.<\/p>\n

RAPS Convergence was not just a chance to learn about regulatory affairs. It was an opportunity to learn that sometimes the best professional opportunities begin when you are willing to try something new and step outside of your comfort zone. I will be attending RAPS Convergence again next year, and I hope to see more fellow students in Minneapolis next September!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Brianna Sloan at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the 2026 RAPS Convergence wrap up party.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Brianna Sloan, a second-year PharmD student at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, at day one of RAPS Convergence in the Charlotte Convention Center.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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