A Prescription for a Future Career

Arnold | future pharmacist

I believe that career planning is one of the most difficult decisions one has to make. It involves learning enough about yourself and the occupation which you are considering to make an informed decision.

I am planning to take a career in a pharmaceutical type of work because I know that it will not only make a difference in my life but also in the life of others.

Pharmacists fill prescriptions provided by the patient's physician, analyze the correct dosage and educate the patient about when and how the medication should be used. They need to be accurate and efficient because the slightest mistake could result in some serious side effects.

Pharmacists can get employed in various locations like drug stores, hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes to fill prescriptions and work with doctors to monitor patients. The job openings will increase about 21% in the next 10 years because of the increasing number of elderly people.

The education needed to become a pharmacist is difficult to meet because they need a six-year PharmD degree which is expensive compared to the standard 4-year plan. They need to commit themselves to pharmacy because there are many new medical discoveries which require them to go back to school for additional research.

To get some information, I asked my Biology teacher about this career and observed the pharmacists at our local drug stores to see exactly what they do and how they describe the medications to the patients. I also went through the Helpful Career Websites and a recommended website called Bridges to plan my career.

It's a long way to go before college, but planning ahead and choosing a pharmaceutical career is significant because my effort will be well worth it in the end.