Experience vs. a Better Salary: is one better?

[Grasshopper 88]

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I’m in a bit of a dilemma and am seeking advice or input from those who have already gone through the admissions process (hence posting here rather than pre-pharm). I know that every situation and every applicant is different but any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

I have a BA in Journalism and an MBA, along with ~$65k student loans.

I have been working at a hospital for about 4 years handling intellectual property and commercialization. This has given me healthcare experience, exposure to medical concepts and industry trends, etc. I’ll spare you the background, but this has also helped solidify my decision to pursue pharmacy.

The problem is this job pays way below market value and there have been tons of budget cuts (i.e. a raise is not in the future).

Dilemma: I want to pay down my student loans (goal of getting them down to at least $20k) before beginning pharmacy school so that’s the hurdle in the way right now. I have received a few job offers for more pay (ranging from $5k-$12k more than I make now).

So . . .
1) Stay with current job with crappy pay, bonus of gaining further experience in healthcare; useful in application/admissions (?)

2) Take one of the new offers although all are in non-healthcare industries (i.e. automotive public relations, technology marketing) for more pay

Can I supplement non-career experience with something just as beneficial? My fear is that if I left healthcare right now for more money, admins would look at my resume and background and wonder what in the world I was doing applying to pharm school with a non-science journalism degree and MBA.

Any advice or input from those who have been accepted or gone through the admissions process?

Thank you!!!

 

[J ROD]

That is not much money to learn a new job after taxes......

 

[J ROD]

but the lack of being in healthcare is not an issue....

 

[Grasshopper 88]

Thanks for the input J DUB. That's a good point on the amount of money after taxes and all. I'm making $39k now so the possibility of $10k more initially seemed like my saving grace. But after taxes . . .

I also have a lot of flexibility and freedom at my current job.

Darn student loans!

 

[koldun]

The experience is far more valuable than a few thousand bucks.

 

[PharmDstudent]

If you're serious about pharmacy, then I would not walk away from that hospital job for any amount of money. Since you're already "in", finding a job as a pharmacy tech or intern or pharmacist should be much, much easier. Plus, you're service time at the hospital may continue while you work part-time or prn, which means earlier retirement and more vacation time starting after graduation.

 

[IndustryPharmD]

I have always chosen a more interesting job over the one that pays the most. Even when difference was 20-30%. As long as your current job continues to provide you with learning opportunities and not stagnating, and you can pay your bills with this job, I would keep it. However, if the money is an issue and/or the other job would allow you to learn another skill set, I would jump ship.

Since your current job is not directly related to pharmacy anyway, I think you have already squeezed most of the application fudge factor value out of it anyway. And I would strongly suggest getting direct pharmacy experience on the side, regardless of which job you take/keep. If you can't get a paying job once a week/month/whatever at a hospital or retail pharmacy, see if you can volunteer or be on call for your hospital's pharmacy.

 

[bigpharma]

I'm curious about why you've chosen to go to pharmacy school.

I'm finishing up both a PharmD and MBA right now and have had some opportunities to work with biotech startups and intellectual property, but not nearly as much as it sounds like you have.

Your background sounds like a real asset, but not necessarily as a PharmD. Depending on what you're after, you might be happier going into a pharmacy or healthcare-related PhD program.

 

[Grasshopper 88]

Thanks for all the input. Great point on the experience, networking, and the amount of money that a raise actually ends up being after taxes.

These posts helped me realize that I need to stop obsessing over my salary and begin making the most of this job through networking, volunteering, taking on any additional opportunities that are related to pharmacy. Every job has its ups and downs, but overall I’m finding that I don’t *hate* it.

 

[Grasshopper 88]

I'm curious about why you've chosen to go to pharmacy school.

I'm finishing up both a PharmD and MBA right now and have had some opportunities to work with biotech startups and intellectual property, but not nearly as much as it sounds like you have.

Your background sounds like a real asset, but not necessarily as a PharmD. Depending on what you're after, you might be happier going into a pharmacy or healthcare-related PhD program.

Hi bigpharma – The IP work is interesting but just not for me as a long-term career. As for choosing pharmacy, I could probably think of 10 different random reasons that I feel helped with my decision but here are a few - -

1) I’ve always been interested in health-sciences but didn’t want as much direct patient care as that of a nurse or physician. Back when I was a nervous little college freshman , I was set on pharmacy. I had a good relationship with my current pharmacist and was able to get helpful advice and input from him and he had nothing but good things to say about the field. This sounds cheesy, but I think I lacked the confidence back then because I let some of the core classes intimidate me and immediately threw in the towel. I have a much better handle on studying and learning in general now (I should after 6 years of school!) and am totally confident in my abilities.

2) My own personal health experiences as someone with an autoimmune disorder. In the beginning, I was a non-compliant patient and would just up and stop taking my meds for no reason because I didn’t “feel” like they were working. Definitely learned my lessons. The impact of one little tablet on the human body interests me.

3) A couple of my IP projects have involved pharma. Further stimulated my interest. While cardiology, urology, etc. are also interesting, medical school doesn’t appeal to me/my situation. (I just wish I would have networked better with those projects!!). Live and learn, I guess