How to Start a Career in Pharmacy

Pharmacy is one of the hottest fields due to its integrity, importance and pay scale. As a medication specialist, you can choose to live in any city, create your own hours and enjoy job security. On the job, you will be advising doctors, keeping up-to-date on the newest technology and balancing a variety of duties. With its technological advances and an aging population, pharmacy will continue to prove itself as a wise career choice for men and women who desire challenge, growth, flexibility and respect.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Determine if you have skills required for a career in pharmacy. You should care for people, be a good team player, demonstrate ethical and honest behavior at all times and have the perseverance to attend school for six years as well as complete continuing education (CE) credits for your career lifetime. You will also want to excel in math and science skills and have a good grasp of computer skills.

2. Research pharmacies and their different specialties by doing Internet research, meeting with career counselors, interviewing pharmacists and reading up on the subject. Retail pharmacies, like the CVS on the corner, are only one type of pharmacy. There are also pharmacy careers in hospitals, managed care facilities, government offices and in research. Careers can also be had as a pharmacy consultant, in pharmaceutical sales, in nuclear pharmacy, at veterinary clinics, in mail order facilities and as a teacher.

3. Investigate pharmacy schools. Most colleges and university offer pre-pharmacy classes and credits but only some schools offer a pharmacy program. Research the different schools to find the best fit for you and your career aspirations. Visit campuses and meet with pharmacy students to discuss the program.

4. Decide if you want to take the four year Bachelor of Pharmacy degree or the longer Doctorate of Pharmacy (or PharmD) program. Both have advantages and different career paths. Of course, the PharmD degree takes longer and incurs more cost but the yearly salary often makes up for in the first few years.

5. Attend the Pharmacy school of your choice, keeping a good grade point average and learning a tremendous amount of information. Take advantage of extracurricular activities, professional fraternities, internships and class projects. Graduate with your degree in Pharmacy.

6. Study and pass state boards in the state you plan to practice in. If you move states later in your career, you can reciprocate rather than retaking the boards. You will just need to keep your first state license valid as well as the current state you reside in. The state boards offer study materials before the test is administered.

7. Continue on your career path a pharmacist by reading pharmacy trade magazines, joining pharmacy associations and keeping your Continuing Education credits up to date.

Tips & Warnings

• Volunteer as a pharmacy tech during your college career. This will give you invaluable experience within a pharmacy. It is also a good resume builder.
• Committing to Pharmacy school is not an inexpensive venture. Be prepared to take out loans, apply for scholarships and work during college.

Resources

• Learn more about colleges that offer Pharmacy degrees at the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy at AACP.org.
• Learn more about pharmacy careers at the American Pharmacists Association or Aphanet.org.