Every so often, a young, enthusiastic, bright-eyed individual will approach me and eagerly explain: “I am thinking of going to pharmacy school. How do you like pharmacy? Do you think it’s a good career choice?”
Oh geez. Where do I start?
So I’ve been asked this question often enough that I decided to do a blog about it.
And the first thing I ask them, is: Why do you want to be a pharmacist?
“I want to work in healthcare.”
Do you actually want to help people become less sick, and get better? Or maybe even completely heal? If so, there are lots of professions that actually help improve people’s health. Many years ago, pharmacists would also be trained in natural and non-toxic remedies. Now, the profession is dominated by the drug companies and when there is a less expensive, non-toxic therapy, a pharmacist would not have been trained about it.
So, if you want to actually help patient’s health, consider becoming a holistic health practitioner.
“I want a respected profession.”
It’s true, pharmacists are still a very respected and trusted profession. Now anyone who graduates from pharmacy school is granted the title “Doctor”. Having the doctor title helps establish respect and authority. Year after year pharmacists rank high in surveys about which professions are the most trusted. But this is mostly true because the public doesn’t understand some key points:
- Pharmacists are only trained in pharmaceutical drugs.
- Pharmacists are not trained in less costly and more natural alternatives.
- Pharmacists are not trained to learn about or refer to alternative and holistic healthcare practitioners when a drug isn’t working.
In other words, the well-being of the pharmacy profession is based on the selling of drugs. So at some point our society may wake up and realize the limitations of doctors and drugs. At that point we may lose some of the public’s trust.
For a respectable and trusted profession, consider becoming an accountant or teacher.
“I want to be a pharmacist because the pay is good.”
In California, for many years, the pay for pharmacists has been very good. When I graduated 15 years ago, there was a great demand for pharmacists. However, SUPPLY VERSUS DEMAND IS NO LONGER ON OUR SIDE. Fifteen years ago there were only 3 pharmacy schools in California, and California had its own test for graduates to pass. This kept the supply of pharmacists low, and the demand high. Therefore, there has always been an abundance of pharmacy jobs, with minimum requirements, sometimes just requiring a licenses and a heartbeat, and many offering sign-on bonuses.
Fast-forward to 15 years later, there are now over ten plus schools in the state, students graduate with often $150,000 to $200,000 student loan debts, paying $1,500 per month or more, and it is harder to find a job. The quality of life for pharmacists has deteriorated and there are now record numbers of new pharmacists with huge student loans being dumped out of pharmacy school.
If you think the salary trend won’t go down for pharmacists because we are respected and educated health care professionals, think again. When a young pharmacist graduates from pharmacy school and is willing to do your job for a fraction of your salary … good luck. The majority of pharmacy jobs are monotonous and your years of experience won’t add much or any advantage over the young eager grads.
So, after I explain to these students:
- Pharmacists are no longer trained in the basics of health, and the profession has evolved into representatives of the pharmaceutical companies, at the expense of patient health.
- That the profession is trusted but that may change in the future.
- In California, the supply of pharmacists is quickly outgrowing the demand, with several new pharmacy schools opened in recent years. Inevitably, the pay will not stay high, and pharmacy grads are entering the workforce with massive debt and less job opportunities.
After I explain these points to the young, bright-eyed eager soul, the next question is often:
“So which pharmacy schools do you think I should apply to?”
?!??!
If you or someone you love is determined to attend pharmacy school, at this point I think the best thing is to go for the subconscious mind. When they mention pharmacy school, pinch them, or create loud, harsh noise so the near mention of pharmacy school will be associated with pain or un-pleasantries.
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