CAREER PATHS OF TODAYS PHARMACY DEANS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE CAREER PLANNING

The work histories of pharmacy deans were assessed with attention directed toward education, personal/professional backgrounds, and career/academic issues. A mail survey was employed with 60 of the 75 deans responding (80 percent response rate). The primary purpose of the research was to ascertain the normative career ladder among pharmacy deans. These career paths and concomitant experiences may be viewed both prescriptively and descriptively. A strictly hierarchical model (faculty to department chair to assistant/associate dean to dean) described the pathway of 15 percent of the pharmacy deans. Assistant/associate deanships and department chair positions were nearly equal administrative experiences. Additionally, data were gathered on mentoring activities, occupational change, and future concerns. The findings may be used in career planning as well as in talent development.