Written by: Emma Yuan (Article Researcher and Writer, Campus Ambassador).
Edited by: Francesca Cadhit (Top Class Edge Learning).
Pharmacy School
Picture this.
You’re having a great day at the beach, when all of a sudden, you feel a sharp sting on your leg. You look down and swat an unknown insect off your left shin. Before you know it, the small prick has grown into an engorged, hot, red welt. Naturally, you stop by your local Shoppers Drug Mart and pick up some medication, with the help of a pharmacist.
Now, how do you go from student to pharmacist? How do you know if it’s the right career path for you?
Imagine that you’ve developed a passion for chemistry and biology and you’re wondering what’s next for you. If you’re in this position, pursuing a career as a pharmacist is one of several options that allows you to work a job that interests you. However, before deciding that pharmacy is the right path for you, take some time to learn about a few noteworthy experiences from past pharmacy students.
Pharmacists vs. pharmacologists
Before that, it’s worth noting that pharmacists and pharmacologists are different occupations and have different requirements. Although both pharmacists and pharmacologists work with drugs, a pharmacist is someone who dispenses medication to patients and advises them on the proper procedures for taking medication, while a pharmacologist researches the development and interactions of drugs with biological systems.
As for the requirements, pharmacists require a doctor of pharmacy degree (PharmD.), which is earned in pharmacy school. On the other hand, a pharmacologist or pharmaceutical researcher would need a bachelor’s degree, and master’s and/or a Ph.D. in the relevant subject area in order to be qualified for performing research.
If being a pharmacist is still something of interest to you, below are some important points about pharmacy school and becoming a pharmacist.
What makes you suitable for pharmacy?
- Make sure you’re ACTUALLY interested in becoming a pharmacist
Understand why you want to go into pharmacy. Pharmacy school will involve a lot of studying and having no interest in science will make you lose motivation to continue your studies. Being excited to learn during pharmacy school and then applying your knowledge into practice will make you successful in the long run.
- An eye for detail, problem-solving, and communication are important skills for pharmacists
Being attentive is an essential skill for a pharmacist. Providing patients with the wrong type of drug or the incorrect instructions for use may be a matter of life and death. Although everyone makes mistakes, the consequence for certain mistakes is much larger than others.
Analytical and problem-solving skills are also important because pharmacists need to use the knowledge they’ve learned from school and give advice to patients on taking their medication.
Possessing strong communication and interpersonal skills allows pharmacists to effectively provide directions on how patients should consume their medication, as well as make patients aware of side effects.
- Study smart and hard
While this is not intended to discourage anyone interested in pharmacy, being a well-rounded student and having effective study skills is a large part of succeeding during pharmacy school. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go to pharmacy school if you’re not a straight-A student, but it may be a more difficult experience for you. Fortunately, everyone still has the ability to develop effective studying skills.
4 Things to Consider Before Choosing Pharmacy As a Career:
- Market saturation for pharmacists
While it’s hard enough to get into pharmacy school, perform well, and graduate with an adequate amount of knowledge and experience, it’s also difficult to secure a steady job. Becoming a pharmacist has become an increasingly popular path, creating a market saturation for pharmacists where the number of people providing this service is maximized.
- Make sure you are financially ready
According to a report published by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) in July 2021, the average amount of student loans for pharmacy school is $173 561, which is an increase of 16% since the year 2015. Some people go into pharmacy because of the attractive six-figure salary, but find themselves using their earnings just to pay off debt for the next 5 to 10 years.
Consider options to decrease the financial burden. Part-time jobs and internships are a good way to start while also building up relevant skills and work experience.
- Easier said than done: stay committed
If you choose to take this path, be committed. Those who do not meet the criteria often end up switching paths. Pharmacy school will take at least 4 years, and those who decide to change their minds after entering may find it very difficult to start something new.
- Be aware of different career paths as a pharmacist
Most people are familiar with pharmacists that work in retail and hospitals, and while these positions make up the majority of jobs in the pharmacy sector, there are many more options in this field. Pharmacists can also become military pharmacists, mental health pharmacists, drug safety officers, and also occupy government and NGO roles.
Finding a Job and Becoming Successful After Pharmacy School:
How can you make yourself a more competitive applicant?
- Get relevant experience
Having experience in a certain occupation is important for any career. It’s obvious that employers would much rather hire someone who has been involved in a certain practice than someone who has limited experience.
The most common form of experience is working as a retail pharmacist technician. Working at an actual pharmacy exposes you to the workplace and gives you an opportunity to put the knowledge learned in school into practice. Relating real-life experiences with concepts and information taught in class also makes learning easier.
Other ways to gain experience include internships at pharmacies and job shadowing.
- Network
Networking can be challenging. This is especially true for introverts.
However, it can also help you land your first job. Having connections can make you known to employers and increases the likeliness that you will be recommended for a position.
How to Become a Pharmacist:
If you’ve learned that this path is suitable for you, it’s time to understand the requirements for pharmacy school.
- Choosing high school courses
Select high school courses in, but not limited to, English, chemistry, biology, physics, calculus and vectors, and a second math (advanced functions). These are typically the requirements for undergraduate programs in the sciences in Canada. While there isn’t a specific undergraduate program that is required to enroll in pharmacy school, it’s highly suggested that students select a program that makes it easier to meet the academic requirements to apply for pharmacy school.
- Gaining university credits
Make sure you gain the necessary university credits to gain admission into your desired pharmacy program.
- Other requirements
Some school-specific requirements include the CASPer test (Computer-Based Assessment for Sampling Personal Characteristics) and the PCAT (Pharmacy College Admissions Test). The CASPer test is used for admissions teams to evaluate your skills such as maturity and professionalism by testing your reactions to different hypothetical professional scenarios, while the PCAT measures your ability to succeed in pharmacy school.
Learning about possible challenges in pharmacy is not intended to intimidate anyone. Becoming aware of some of these obstacles helps you become prepared for whatever you may face on this path.
Sources:
Avery. “7 Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Pharmacy School.” Millennial Mayday, 16 Jan. 2019, https://www.millennialmayday.com/7-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-going-to-pharmacy-school/.
Premont, Makaela. “What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Pharmacy School.” Uniquely Mickie, 5 June 2021, https://www.uniquelymickie.com/what-i-wish-i-knew-before-pharmacy-school/#/.
“Information for High School Students and Guidance Counsellors.” University of Toronto, 2019.