You might think there’s a big difference between being a pharmacist and a competitive disc jockey. Jordan Despines would disagree with you.
“Whether you are talking with a patient or a client, it’s important to listen well and make a good first impression,” said Despines, a fifth-year Pharm.D. student who will begin clinical rotations this fall. “And in both professions, you need to think on the fly. As a pharmacist, you don’t know what issues will come up each day, so you need to be flexible, positive and open-minded to help your patients.”
Going by the DJ moniker JMan, Despines uses both skills as a successful competitive DJ, having finished second at the Red Bull Turn It Up competition in Pittsburgh against other college students last fall.
“I love music and always wanted to be a DJ. I would wear headphones in high school all the time,” said Despines, who plays the guitar and piano.
After buying his first control board, Despines started out DJing parties in his backyard for family events. Since then, he has DJed everything from weddings and proms to birthday parties and barbeques across Pittsburgh and central Pennsylvania, including two events at Duquesne’s School of Pharmacy. With help from his brother, he recently created the JManspins site.
“It’s been really fun and I’ve learned a lot about music along the way, including how it helps boost a person’s mood,” he said. “There’s a real health component to it.”
Being surrounded by a positive culture is something that is important to Despines, who noted that culture is what brought him to Duquesne.
“I knew as soon as I visited Duquesne that I wanted to be a student here,” he said. “Everyone was so welcoming and kind.”
The support from faculty, staff and fellow students has been important to Despines, both in and out of the classroom as he balances his studies and DJ work.
“We have the best professors here in pharmacy,” he said. “They will notice if they see something is off and ask if you’re doing o.k. Everyone cares about you as a person.”
Looking toward the future, Despines said he might like to own an independent pharmacy one day, where he could combine his pharmacy expertise from Duquesne and his business acumen as a DJ.
“I want to be any place where I can help patients,” he said. “I’ve received so much
support from my family to reach my goals. I look forward to learning more so I can
give back to others.”
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