I will be starting pharmacy school this fall, but I am considering backing out. I don't think pharmacy is for me and I am scared because of saturation. I have a biology degree and was wondering what I can do with it?
Depending on how many math classes you've taken (past calculus I), and whether you took the physics sequence that was for science majors instead of the physics classes that use algebra, I recommend you maybe consider chemical engineering. I had gotten to the place where I was going to start pharmacy school, and literally EVERY pharmacist to whom I spoke told me that if they could go back and do things over, they would not have become pharmacists. I did not get my four-year degree, I was accepted to pharmacy school after two years, but I decided to challenge myself and take the "dual degree chemistry/chemical engineering" sequence that was offered at my school, and I squeezed the extra classes that I needed for pre-pharmacy into my schedule (I don't know how I did it). Unfortunately, my school doesn't offer any engineering degree, meaning I had to transfer – and give up the last two years of my full ride scholarship. Once I started engineering school, it felt like a better fit, there are lots of jobs in my area that literally put up billboards that beg for engineers, particularly women and minorities. I had an 86 mile one-way commute, but was able to get scholarships to almost cover my entire tuition at my new school. Unfortunately, about a month into the second semester of what would be my junior year, I had a near-fatal automobile accident while driving to school. I have finally finished getting my face rebuilt, and there isn't a school that offers a chemical engineering degree in my city (except for a private school that would force my husband and I to put a mortgage on our home!) so I'm going to finish my degree as a mechanical engineer, with a concentration in materials, plus I have a minor in math.
The pharmacists that I spoke with regarding how they felt about their respective careers mentioned the fact that they are considered "full-time" but they only work 32 hours per week. They say that the profession has changed a great deal, and most of them said that they'd have looked into becoming a nurse practitioner or a physician's assistant, and several said that they regretted getting into the medical field in the first place! It's frustrating, because I'm one of those "non-traditional students" and now I'm likely going to have to retake some classes due to the amount of time that's passed since I started, but I don't want to be in debt for the rest of my life when I can just finish my engineering degree and make less per hour, but I know that I'll have a full-time job if that's what I want.
I'm sorry this is so long, but some of the other commenters are right: a biology degree by itself really won't get you far. If you're having doubts, listen to that voice in your head because you'd be surprised how intelligent your own intuition is if only you'd listen to it. I know that is the case with me. I hope things work out for you, no matter what you decide to do. I'm sure you'll do well.
