Physical Therapy vs Pharmacy?

[MouaBoy96]

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Hey everyone, I am an incoming freshman for undergraduate school and I am torn between pharmacy or physical therapy. I was originally interested in becoming a physical therapist after tearing my ACL and going to rehab after knee surgery. I really liked how my therapist worked one on one with his patients and got to know them personally, he made me feel like a friend more than a patient. Working out is one of my favorite hobbies, so I feel physical therapy wouldn't feel like work as opposed to all the work a pharmacist goes through. I also feel like working with an individual to help them strengthen and regain mobility will be very rewarding to my soul. To be honest, the main reason why pharmacy came into my head was the thought of making 120k+ after graduating. What I really want to know is the opinions of physical therapists/PT students as to which career would be better before I commit to one. I would like to know how you like your job, does the lower wage matter at all, and any other pros or cons that you may have.

 

[starrsgirl]

My best advice is to make sure to take all the pre reqs for BOTH physical therapy and pharmacy in school. Do really well in all your classes. Then, set up regular observation/volunteer hours in both settings. If doing it during the school year is too much, use your summers. Maybe a full summer at a pharmacy, then a full summer at a PT clinic. You don't have to decide right now and your decision will be stronger if you experience a lot of it yourself. You have plenty of time right now. I know of many students who decided OR changed their mind in their senior year to another healthcare field but it was fine because they had all the pre reqs done and some observation hours.

 

[SnowyDPT]

If you weren't worried about money, what do you think you would enjoy more? Money will come with whatever you want to do

 

[MouaBoy96]

If you weren't worried about money, what do you think you would enjoy more? Money will come with whatever you want to do

I think I would enjoy physical therapy more..

 

[SnowyDPT]

Then I think that is your answer my friend.

 

[MouaBoy96]

Then I think that is your answer my friend.

Thank you for your opinion 🙂 I think I will volunteer in both settings first before I really solidify my answer

 

[DrRehab]

As someone who was seriously considering both PT and pharmacy (ended up with PT), the pharmacy market is horribly saturated. The entire forum is gloom and doom, and none of them say they even remotely enjoy being pharmacists.