Thank you all for the insight! It’s great to hear the information firsthand from women in the workplace.
@SlackerMomMD - Yes, I’ve done my research into the different aspects of pharmacy. They all are very intriguing and interesting. Once I get to college, I will try all aspects to see which one I like. At the moment, I’m leaning towards community/retail but hey you never know! I might like hospital or research in a few years.
@powercropper - I like the idea of picking a phrase! I’ll definitely utilize the plan. Thank you for the idea.
Don’t forget when you are running the numbers that going to a school for 7 to 8 years versus 6 has a cost too. You’ll be out and earning a salary 1 to 2 years sooner so that needs to be balanced with the cost of the programs you’re considering.
I just remembered a helpful tip I got from a friend once. I was heading to a family gathering and would face an evening of hearing elderly folks make stupid, judgmental statements. She said her therapist recommended saying “Really” when you don’t want/need to have an actual response to an outrageous or hurtful comment. It can be said as a question, a statement, an exclamation, etc. (Pause to practice saying “Really?” “Really !” “Really.”)
So keep that in your back pocket and pull it out if you just lose all patience with your family but don’t want to continue the argument.
Go for pharmacy. I worked hospital pharmacy for years and have retail experience also. Great career path. I always enjoyed it. The market for pharmacists is changing however because there are so many more pharmacy schools these days and more competition for jobs–but the same could be said for a lot of fields. But pay remains high.
Pharmacy is great because you can live anywhere–every tiny town has at least one. You can work part time, full time.
And you’ll find a niche–I loved hospital work. Some run their own businesses. Lots of variety.
A 6 year PharmD is what is required for most positions these days especially for hospital work. Keeping your debt as low as possible is always best.
Selective vs local school–remember at the end of this you have to pass a board exam to get your license which is the most important thing. Gotta have that piece of paper to practice. Nobody much looks at where you went to school (unless you’re going into research of course). If the local school has a GOOD reputation, it’s enough probably. Don’t go to a school which isn’t respected for its program (ask around–pharmacists will tell you).
The first couple years are just about every science course out there–if you change your mind you’ll have the pre-reqs for switching majors. Unless you think you want to major in French.
Six years is a long time–won’t deny that—many people who would have gone into pharmacy are now becoming physician assistants.since it has a similar time frame. Just a noticeable trend.
Your grandmother probably only sees the guy behind the counter counting pills and just doesn’t understand why someone would enjoy that. Looks a bit boring from the outside looking in. I’ve always thought of accountants that way too–all they do is sit behind a desk and add numbers. But I know there must be something else involved.
I think you have some good ideas here. Share less with the people who are pressuring you and have a ready phrase for people who offer unsolicited advice. My son always thanked well meaning relatives and friends for their interest and said he’d think about their advice. He was generally vague when asked what schools he’d applied to (“some in state publics and a few privates”) and, if pressed, said he was still waiting for decisions so nothing was definite. You sound like you have a good idea of what you want. If you and your parents are comfortable with your choices, that’s what matters.
Illinoismom is totally right about running the numbers for going 6 years vs 7-8. Add in the salary you could have been making when figuring it out. And the extra years of tuition.
Long ago (and in a faraway universe) I had enough credits through CLEP to basically skip a year of college but that meant I literally had to cram in chemistry, organic chem,physics, bio, plus all labs into one year (pharmacy was 2 plus 3 then and we had a quarter system) which was daunting to say the least. I said “No Way!”
The pharmacy dean of admissions figured out my schedule for me to get all the prerequisites done (we were on a quarter system)–and told me straight that if I didn’t go for it the cost to me and my parents would be at least 50 K (much more now!)–the tuition cost of an extra year plus the salary I wouldn’t be making. So I entered school with the idea that I already had a high paying job worth at least 50K if I could succeed.
If you decide to go into Pharmacy–just remember that when you HATE chemistry, muddle through biochem, decide that the French major is looking good even though you can’t remember “Bon Jour”… but still think you’d like to be a pharmacist…think of this.
EVERY major especially the professions has hurdles and hoops.through which the system makes everyone jump. I don’t know any pharmacist who analyzes the ion bonds of anything on a daily basis unless they are in research. The goal is to have people capable of jumping through those hoops but that is not daily working life.
@illinoismom4 - Right. The only con is that the 6 year programs are actually probably MORE expensive than if I did it for longer. I know that doesn’t really make much sense but those 0-6 programs are pricey.
@powercropper - Nice! I’ll have to whip out the pointers I learned when I did one play years ago. xD Usually when I lose my patience, I snap and get kinda snotty or I have to hand off the phone to Mom. Saying “Really” in different tones is a lot calmer than what I do.
@gouf78 - Thanks for your input! It’s great to hear directly from another pharmacist.
@austinmshauri - I’ve tried that method and unfortunately people look at me expectantly because they want to hear specifics. Then I feel awkward and have to go “College X, Y, and Z.” Thanks for replying!
@Thedidactic, I think the key is to learn to get comfortable with silence. It’s a tough skill to pick up. An alternate method is to start asking them questions. Where did you go to school? What did you like about it? How many did you apply to? Most people should understand that you’re politely changing the subject and should respect that. If they don’t, you need to be firmer and just tell them that you’re considering options and that you’d prefer not to discuss it until you have definite plans. It wouldn’t hurt to tell people that college is all anyone ever talks to you about and you’d appreciate it if they discussed anything else. Having your parents run interference with other relatives and friends if it seems like they’re not picking up on your cues can help too.
@austinmshauri - I’ve definitely picked up that people have preferences even if you’re just having a conversation. Like around me, if you mention a certain regional school or the state flagship, people are are like “Oh yeah!” but if I mentioned UChicago or Duke they’d probably look at me like I had three heads! Thank you for the great advice!
So many armchair quarterbacks in your family, OP! This is YOUR decision, and if you are staying within the financial limits established by your parents, then choose the school that is best for YOU. You don’t owe them an explanation. Just because they ask about college doesn’t mean you have to tell them. Just say you haven’t decided yet and when you do you’ll let them know. Good luck.
If you have a career goal in mind that is reasonable and you have talked to those in the profession I say stick with it. What your family might be saying is “I don’t think I would want to be a pharmacist”. No need to second guess yourself right now. Many students don’t even know what they want to study.
You can say to the family members “You got a chance to pick your major. This is my decision. I have heard everyone’s thoughts and I am comfortable with my path.”
As far as choosing a college: You really need to think about NET COST and MAJOR. Prestige and location should be secondary considerations. I had a friend who started in a pharmacy program and couldn’t keep up with the science. She switched to another major with no issues.
You really sound like a person with his head on his shoulders (assuming you’re a guy). Go to pharm school. Maybe there are some stats you can show grandma. But stay firm . Sounds like a great choice.
About the job prospects in a 0-6 vs 8-keep in mind the continuing increase in pharmacy grads. There is a looming unemployment issue and if you’re out 2 years sooner that’s going to be a plus. As well as 2 years of earnings vs 1-2 more years of tuition .
Then I feel awkward and have to go “College X, Y, and Z.” Thanks for replying!