173 Sanjida Hossain
In Episode 2 of The Untold Stories of Pharmacy Students, I sit down with Sanjida Hossain, a fourth-year Kingston pharmacy student who is transforming how pharmacy students connect, support each other, and build lasting communities. As BPSA's Southern Area Coordinator and Kingston Pharmacy Society's Treasurer, she's living proof that you don't need to wait until graduation to make an impact.
In this raw and honest conversation, Sanjida opens up about waiting until third year to get involved ("I thought I wasn't interesting enough"), organising conferences that challenge gender health disparities, and building a pharmacy community that transcends borders. Whether you're feeling too shy to step up or wondering how to balance leadership with studies, this episode is your roadmap to finding your voice in pharmacy.
From practical time management hacks to candid conversations about taking breaks after qualifying, Sanjida shares the kind of advice you won't find in your pharmacy textbooks. Plus, discover why sometimes the best career plans are the ones that leave room for adventure.
Why This Episode Matters to Pharmacy Students:
Learn the reality of balancing leadership roles with studies
Get insider tips on organising successful student conferences
See how cultural background can shape your pharmacy journey
Understand why community building matters for your future career
Key Topics:
The Journey to Pharmacy
Breaking cultural barriers as a Bangladeshi woman in healthcare
Why giving back drives her passion
Supporting women in pharmacy leadership
Leadership & Community Building
BPSA Southern Area Coordinator role breakdown
Managing the Southern Area Conference
How to approach speakers and build professional networks
Real Student Life Hacks
Practical time management strategies that actually work
Balancing multiple leadership roles with academics
Tips for staying organised in final year
Future Planning Gold
Why community pharmacy might be your perfect start
Creative ways to combine travel with pharmacy
The power of locum work for flexibility
Student Success Tips:
How to organise your time as a student:
Create a 4-month wall planner
Use phone calendar for reminders
Break tasks into manageable chunks
Include self-care in your schedule
Building a successful conference:
Start networking at pharmacy shows
Leverage face-to-face interactions
Build an effective support team
Connect internationally through EPSA
Career planning insights:
Consider community pharmacy for flexibility
Think about locuming for travel opportunities
It's okay to prioritise work-life balance
Take breaks when needed
Quotable Moments:
"If I don't get involved right now, who's going to fight my battle?"
"Life is not all about working... I want people to think I'm more than just a pharmacist."
"I don't want to look back in 20 years time and have regrets."
JOIN MY NEWSLETTER COMMUNITY:
This isn't your typical pharmacy newsletter - it's a weekly mentoring session delivered straight to your inbox, packed with actionable insights for ambitious pharmacy students. Each week, I share:
Building multiple income streams while maintaining clinical practice
Time management secrets and productivity hacks I swear by ⚡
Systems and strategies that keep it all running smoothly ⚙️
Personal reflections on growth, failure, and resilience
Behind-the-scenes looks at podcast production and brand building
If you are ready to think differently about your future in pharmacy, sign up 👉 HERE!
PARTNERSHIPS and DISCOUNTS:
The Naked Pharmacy is a brand I LOVE and use daily. They are offering my podcast listeners a 20% discount on all their products. Use discount code PD20 at checkout to receive the offer.
https://www.thenakedpharmacy.com/
🚀 Check out our Amazon storefront dedicated to podcasting gear! We will keep adding/reviewing the list but there’s a selection of microphones, audio interfaces, and more to help you elevate your podcasting game. Explore Our Storefront Here
CONNECT WITH SANJIDA:
Linkedin: Sanjida Hossain
Instagram: @sanjida_h123
Join the British Pharmaceutical Students’ Association (BPSA) TODAY. You won’t regret it!
OTHER LINKS:
The music from this series has been created by a pharmacy student! BPSA’s president, Emeka Onwudiwe, is a talented student and incredible entrepreneur. I am so proud to share his music on my podcast. Go and check the music production company and the word that they do: Inplus Music
Follow me on My Website, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and/or Twitter. Feel free to subscribe to the podcast on your favourite podcast platform so you can be notified when a new episode is released or leave a review on apple podcasts. If you have any suggestions for guests you want me to talk to or if you’d like to come on yourself, please feel free to contact me via social media, or email at info@pharmacistdiaries.com.
