Lab Technician

[TheAverageGuy]

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Hello, everybody! Recently, I have been looking for a job that will put me on the path to becoming a pharmacist. Well, not too long ago, I was talking to a national guard recruiter (yea those guys) and he said the military would be a great option for any job I was interested. He said all I needed to do was score well on the ASVAB. I took the ASVAB two days ago and did quite well on it - a 90. And just the other day I was browsing through a job that required 1 year of training. Now, I don't know if this is correct, but all training for a vocation in the military is accelerated. So basically 1 year of training in the military is actually 3 years. I don't know if this is true or not, but that seems kind of extensive.....

So anyways, the real question I wanted to ask was, would choosing a vocation as a lab technician in the military benefit me for being a pharmacist later in life. If not, what job do you think I should look for? I saw pharmacy technician, but that school was only 6 weeks. There is a plethora to choose from, so just give me some of your guys' insights.

 

[JerryPharmD]

Hello, everybody! Recently, I have been looking for a job that will put me on the path to becoming a pharmacist. Well, not too long ago, I was talking to a national guard recruiter (yea those guys) and he said the military would be a great option for any job I was interested. He said all I needed to do was score well on the ASVAB. I took the ASVAB two days ago and did quite well on it - a 90. And just the other day I was browsing through a job that required 1 year of training. Now, I don't know if this is correct, but all training for a vocation in the military is accelerated. So basically 1 year of training in the military is actually 3 years. I don't know if this is true or not, but that seems kind of extensive.....

So anyways, the real question I wanted to ask was, would choosing a vocation as a lab technician in the military benefit me for being a pharmacist later in life. If not, what job do you think I should look for? I saw pharmacy technician, but that school was only 6 weeks. There is a plethora to choose from, so just give me some of your guys' insights.

While a great option, the military owns you for the period of time specified; and Yes, you will more then likely be deployed. Study on your own and take the PTCB exam. Then get a job as a pharmacy technician.
Good Luck

 

[Vote4Pedro]

Here is some straight advice from someones who has been there (through the National Guard):
The National Guard or any military endeavors will enhance any application, the commitment you make must not be taken lightly. I've gone through it, been deployed and missed 1.5 years of school because of it. There is plenty to learn from the military, however if you are simply looking for lab or pharm experience, then an 8-year military obligation might not be the answer.
Another thing to consider is, especially in a reserve component of the military you may not be deployed performing the same job you initially entered into. The Army can easily give you a job as a convoy truck driver. Being in school does not reduce your chances of being deployed. Even 1 weekend a month and 2 weeks a year of a Guard commitment cuts into an already busy school schedule. I don't mean to scare you, however these are issues I wish I had reflected on prior to my initial enlistment. My best suggestion is to seek advice from someone other than the recruiter.
Best of luck