What do you think.

[kino11]

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What would you do if you got accepted to pharm school but you are currently making 37,000 a year? and have potential advancement? I mean probably not going to be making 80,000 in for years but you would not have to take out a 180,000 dollar loan either. So what do you think?

 

[delano2000]

What would you do if you got accepted to pharm school but you are currently making 37,000 a year? and have potential advancement? I mean probably not going to be making 80,000 in for years but you would not have to take out a 180,000 dollar loan either. So what do you think?

Is that in another field?

 

[BabyBelle]

What would you do if you got accepted to pharm school but you are currently making 37,000 a year? and have potential advancement? I mean probably not going to be making 80,000 in for years but you would not have to take out a 180,000 dollar loan either. So what do you think?

Umm...no offense but you seem like you don't really have a passion in pharmacy and you're only doing it for the money. The answer is easy if you truly had passion for this field.

 

[kino11]

delano2000- I work in HR I am in charge of benefits and other HR duties. I have a business degree and was originally shooting for dentistry so i have a lot of science course work. Only 2 classes away from a chemistry major.

As far as in it for the money well the money is attractive. I like sciences and am fairly good at them. I don't want to make low pay for the rest of my life. As it stands right now all my income goes to loans food rent. Also I don't like the place I live and the company I work for. Also my social life is going to be way better because I know a lot of people there vs here not so much

 

[Busta919]

Its a valid question. Its called opportunity cost. So basically you need to do a pro list for each path. Since money is your first motivation, then list that first. If money really is your motivation, you can most likely stop there.
I gave up a position that paid almost 2x what you mentioned. My motivation is other than compensation.

 

[confettiflyer]

Umm...no offense but you seem like you don't really have a passion in pharmacy and you're only doing it for the money. The answer is easy if you truly had passion for this field.

i read this and went "man what a naive post"

while one should pursue something they're interested in, more people should be making financial calculations like this, if i followed my passions, i'd probably be some poor hippie painting caricatures on the street to help pay bills. i like pharmacy, i don't think i "love" it...and even if i did, if it costs me $500k to get the degree, i'd laugh and go find something else that makes sense.

It's like those dum dums that take out $100k loans for an arts degree that will pay them $30k/yr later.

To the OP, it'll depend on your age and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead (and how you feel about your current job). Have you looked into in-state schools with drastically lower tuition?

 

[BabyBelle]

i read this and went "man what a naive post"

while one should pursue something they're interested in, more people should be making financial calculations like this, if i followed my passions, i'd probably be some poor hippie painting caricatures on the street to help pay bills. i like pharmacy, i don't think i "love" it...and even if i did, if it costs me $500k to get the degree, i'd laugh and go find something else that makes sense.

It's like those dum dums that take out $100k loans for an arts degree that will pay them $30k/yr later.

To the OP, it'll depend on your age and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead (and how you feel about your current job). Have you looked into in-state schools with drastically lower tuition?

They are dumb for pursuing something they are passionate about? How is that dumb? I'd rather be happy doing something I'm passionate about than be miserable in a higher paying job.

 

[confettiflyer]

They are dumb for pursuing something they are passionate about? How is that dumb? I'd rather be happy doing something I'm passionate about than be miserable in a higher paying job.

they're dumb for pursuing bankruptcy...actually, no take that back, student loans can't be discharged in bk! they're dumb for pursuing a life of indentured servitude to their loan servicing company via wage garnishments.

it's all fine and dandy until we, the practical ones, have to subsidize this idiocy through their joining of public assistance programs and higher interest rates for defaulting on loans.

people need to find something they like that pays the bills, or something that doesn't require them to enter a financial black hole to which there is no escape. for the record, you don't need an BFA/MFA to be a decently paid photographer.

 

[BabyBelle]

they're dumb for pursuing bankruptcy...actually, no take that back, student loans can't be discharged in bk! they're dumb for pursuing a life of indentured servitude to their loan servicing company via wage garnishments.

it's all fine and dandy until we, the practical ones, have to subsidize this idiocy through their joining of public assistance programs and higher interest rates for defaulting on loans.

people need to find something they like that pays the bills, or something that doesn't require them to enter a financial black hole to which there is no escape. for the record, you don't need an BFA/MFA to be a decently paid photographer.

I understand what you're saying. It makes sense. I just don't agree when people decide to pursue pharmacy without really having any type of interest in it. Money should not be the sole reason for pursuing pharmacy or any career for that matter.

 

[kino11]

In business school my teacher said brother money dose not bring happiness but brother trust me if you dont have money you are not happy. I think that is so true.

Money is up there as a motivation for me after all who would want to study their ass off for 8 years and still make crappy wages?? Im not looking to make millions just enough to be well of so that I can help my family. My father is disabled and my mom lost her job so If I had extra income I would help them.

The second reason is demand. You will have knowledge few other people have. You can actually help others as you will know a lot about the human body.

Third reason- I don't like working for other people. I have business experience but no niche that I can build a business upon. Pharm it will give me an opportunity to start my own business

 

[kino11]

I understand what you're saying. It makes sense. I just don't agree when people decide to pursue pharmacy without really having any type of interest in it. Money should not be the sole reason for pursuing pharmacy or any career for that matter.

Money is not my sole reason but it is up there on the list. I do like sciences. If I hated them I would not peruse this. After all biochem is not a piece of cake, It is an intense subject.

 

[Passion4Sci]

If you said $67,000 or even $57,000 I'd have been kinda on the fence, but at $37,000? Jump ship. The fact that you're even remotely good at science and math means you're wasting your talent working in HR. The customer service that goes into being a good HR professional will also serve you well as a pharmacist.

 

[confettiflyer]

I understand what you're saying. It makes sense. I just don't agree when people decide to pursue pharmacy without really having any type of interest in it. Money should not be the sole reason for pursuing pharmacy or any career for that matter.

In agreement here...money shouldn't be the sole reason, but this is reality, and money keeps a roof over your head and food in your stomach.

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Money is not my sole reason but it is up there on the list. I do like sciences. If I hated them I would not peruse this. After all biochem is not a piece of cake, It is an intense subject.

So you like sciences, and decided to become a pharmacist? Sciences isn't restricted to pharmacy. There ARE other fields that will give you many opportunities to be "rich". So ...why pharmacy then? If you want more money, search elsewhere in sciences?

BTW pharmacist's average salary isn't bad at all. In fact, it's way better than what my parents are making right now. And I'm living a comfortable life thanks to them. Student loans? It depends on how you handle your money. I know people who pay them off within 3 years after graduation.

 

[Passion4Sci]

There are always other careers that can earn you money, much more than a pharmacist salary. If money is truly what attracts you in a career, go look somewhere else.

Huh, like what?

I'm trying to think of things that make "much more" than $110,000+ a year... and the list is pretty short.

Airline pilot
Other allied health stuff, medicine, dentistry, etc.
ummm... business mogul?
let's see... uuhhhh... CPA I guess, kinda maybe?
Attorney IF you get a gig at a big law firm and then it's $145,000 to $160,000 which is HARDLY "much more" than a pharmacist salary

I guess some construction workers can make 65 bucks an hour...

 

[thecoolpharmboi]

Huh, like what?

I'm trying to think of things that make "much more" than $110,000+ a year... and the list is pretty short.

Airline pilot
Other allied health stuff, medicine, dentistry, etc.
ummm... business mogul?
let's see... uuhhhh... CPA I guess, kinda maybe?
Attorney IF you get a gig at a big law firm and then it's $145,000 to $160,000 which is HARDLY "much more" than a pharmacist salary

I guess some construction workers can make 65 bucks an hour...

Really? I did a quick search and some physicians can make $200K+ (median). There are variety of fields in sciences that offers more than a pharmacist' salary.

All I'm saying is, the amount that pharmacists make on average is already plenty. The OP is just complaining about the loans, etc. etc. I'm just saying it $90K-110K is not enough for him (or her) then find an alternative. Since his "reason" to be in pharmacy is because "he likes sciences".

 

[confettiflyer]

Attorney IF you get a gig at a big law firm and then it's $145,000 to $160,000 which is HARDLY "much more" than a pharmacist salary

I guess some construction workers can make 65 bucks an hour...

lawyers just got replaced by computers

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/science/05legal.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

damn...could you imagine the possibilities Watson-like systems could do to places like retail? Once e-prescribing and vending machines come around, you would need 1/4 the ancillary staff you have now.

 

[Passion4Sci]

lawyers just got replaced by computers

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/05/science/05legal.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

damn...could you imagine the possibilities Watson-like systems could do to places like retail? Once e-prescribing and vending machines come around, you would need 1/4 the ancillary staff you have now.

We'll all be replaced by SkyNet eventually.

 

[Crown Chakra]

they're dumb for pursuing bankruptcy...actually, no take that back, student loans can't be discharged in bk! they're dumb for pursuing a life of indentured servitude to their loan servicing company via wage garnishments.

it's all fine and dandy until we, the practical ones, have to subsidize this idiocy through their joining of public assistance programs and higher interest rates for defaulting on loans.

people need to find something they like that pays the bills, or something that doesn't require them to enter a financial black hole to which there is no escape. for the record, you don't need an BFA/MFA to be a decently paid photographer.

👍👍👍👍👍

I was a Psychology major at an expensive Jesuit University. I'd like to go back and punch any idiot that told me to major in anything that I love and money will follow. Yea 🙄 I'm glad I woke up before I headed down the same path as my predecessors and chose the sciences before it was too late. Guess what? You can be passionate for the arts on the side... even with business, you don't need a Business degree to be a successful Business owner.

I really laughed at some of these posts. Do tell me how one can be passionate about Pharmacy...not trying to be condescending. And if you come in with a realistic view of what the job holds, you're more like to be a success then if you think oh I'm sooooo passionate about this field, and then coming crashing down to Earth and reality.

 

[UES Girl]

Do tell me how one can be passionate about Pharmacy...not trying to be condescending. And if you come in with a realistic view of what the job holds, you're more like to be a success then if you think oh I'm sooooo passionate about this field, and then coming crashing down to Earth and reality.

For a former psych major, you really don't come off well spoken. What the heck is the above quote supposed to mean anyway ? Are you implying people can't be passionate about the profession they are going into when this profession is pharmacy ? Do you know much about the profession yourself or are just riding the high strung pre-med horse ?

You'd be suprised the change in med students attitude about the profession from Ms1 - to MS going on rotations and having a pharmacy student on their rounding team and get a glimpse into the level of knowedge we hold.

 

[Crown Chakra]

For a former psych major, you really don't come off well spoken. What the heck is the above quote supposed to mean anyway ? Are you implying people can't be passionate about the profession they are going into when this profession is pharmacy ? Do you know much about the profession yourself or are just riding the high strung pre-med horse ?

You'd be suprised the change in med students attitude about the profession from Ms1 - to MS going on rotations and having a pharmacy student on their rounding team and get a glimpse into the level of knowedge we hold.

What? Your argument has no basis. I'm not well-spoken for a Psych. major? Lame. I think you're pretty much assuming I'm on a "high-horse". Let me guess, I'm not allowed to post my opinions. Ok, go pick a useless internet fight with some other "pre-med". No where in my post did I mention I think being in Med. school will be peachy, and in fact I've seen the hardship firsthand(my mom was in med. school from me being 9 years old to eons). Essentially, I'm suggesting to other pre-professionals to not go in wearing rose-tinted glasses into ANY profession.

Again, no where in my post did I say Pharmacists aren't well-educated SCIENTISTS, merely it's a STEP-DOWN to work retail AFTER obtaining a Doctorate's degree. Did you understand me now? Or is my language not pretty enough for a forum?

I offered my opinion as a Pharm. tech. Apparently, no word of dislike of Pharm. is ALLOWED to be expressed according to you, your highness.🙄 Obviously, you're suffering from an inferiority complex. I suggest you search your soul for the answer. I've heard it all from floater Pharmacists I use to work with and their dislike of med students, also how they scored sooooo high on the MCATs but chose Pharmacy. They tell these sob stories like I care, it seems as if they have to DEFEND why they chose Pharm.

Well, this turned into a unproductive post. Let the online attacks begin.

 

[UES Girl]

What? Your argument has no basis. I'm not well-spoken for a Psych. major? Lame. I think you're pretty much assuming I'm on a "high-horse". Let me guess, I'm not allowed to post my opinions. Ok, go pick a useless internet fight with some other "pre-med". No where in my post did I mention I think being in Med. school will be peachy, and in fact I've seen the hardship firsthand(my mom was in med. school from me being 9 to eons) and essentially, I'm insisting people are not wearing rose-tinted glasses into ANY profession. Whatever.
I offered my opinion as a Pharm. tech. Apparently, no word of dislike of Pharm. is ALLOWED to be expressed according to you, your highness.🙄

I have no idea what you are talking about all I said is it was odd for you to say thay one cant be compassionate for a profession of pharmacy.

 

[Crown Chakra]

I have no idea what you are talking about all I said is it was odd for you to say thay one cant be compassionate for a profession of pharmacy.

Who's not making sense now? Are you popping pills? Valid question. Use commas, they help. Reread your post and try to put the pieces together. Go ahead....try it.😎

You read one post by me and flipped. That's what happens when you ASSume. There's compassion, then there's passion. Look.it.up.🙄

 

[pharm B]

We'll all be replaced by SkyNet eventually.

"I understand you had a question about your co-pay..."

 

[delano2000]

"I understand you had a question about your co-pay..."

 

[BabyBelle]

"I understand you had a question about your co-pay..."

Oh man...That freaked me out. Creepy....

 

[hillwilliam]

I took a buyout from an engineering position where I was making $110K/year but extremely miserable. The opportunity came up and I couldn't see staying in that job or field and just living the rest of my working years counting the years/months/days to retirement. In my situation Pharmacy is not the most practical option, however, I have a strong interest, I really want to do it, and I can make comparable to where I was at when I get back in the workforce. Realistically, I have less salary growth potential in pharmacy. The field I was in had more potential for promotions leading to salary growth, but, again I felt moving up would have increased my salary and my misery along with it.

You really need to decide if you want to do it and then balance that with the practical aspects of leaving a decent job and taking out loans. Pharm school is a huge time and money committment. I lost many nights of sleep trying to answer this question for myself, but decided it was right for me and my family long term. Like a previous poster said, look for some in-state school options that might allow you to keep your loans under $100K. It may make your decision to go for it easier.

 

[dxb8307]

i read this and went "man what a naive post"

while one should pursue something they're interested in, more people should be making financial calculations like this, if i followed my passions, i'd probably be some poor hippie painting caricatures on the street to help pay bills. i like pharmacy, i don't think i "love" it...and even if i did, if it costs me $500k to get the degree, i'd laugh and go find something else that makes sense.

It's like those dum dums that take out $100k loans for an arts degree that will pay them $30k/yr later.

To the OP, it'll depend on your age and what kind of lifestyle you want to lead (and how you feel about your current job). Have you looked into in-state schools with drastically lower tuition?

👍👍👍

 

[321931]

What? Your argument has no basis. I'm not well-spoken for a Psych. major? Lame. I think you're pretty much assuming I'm on a "high-horse". Let me guess, I'm not allowed to post my opinions. Ok, go pick a useless internet fight with some other "pre-med". No where in my post did I mention I think being in Med. school will be peachy, and in fact I've seen the hardship firsthand(my mom was in med. school from me being 9 years old to eons). Essentially, I'm suggesting to other pre-professionals to not go in wearing rose-tinted glasses into ANY profession.

Again, no where in my post did I say Pharmacists aren't well-educated SCIENTISTS, merely it's a STEP-DOWN to work retail AFTER obtaining a Doctorate's degree. Did you understand me now? Or is my language not pretty enough for a forum?

I offered my opinion as a Pharm. tech. Apparently, no word of dislike of Pharm. is ALLOWED to be expressed according to you, your highness.🙄 Obviously, you're suffering from an inferiority complex. I suggest you search your soul for the answer. I've heard it all from floater Pharmacists I use to work with and their dislike of med students, also how they scored sooooo high on the MCATs but chose Pharmacy. They tell these sob stories like I care, it seems as if they have to DEFEND why they chose Pharm.

Well, this turned into a unproductive post. Let the online attacks begin.

LoL. One thing I noticed about the hospital setting is the passive-aggressiveness of intellectuals. Within an allied health discipline, everyone loves to compare brains and intellect. Doctors on pharmacists, Pharmacists on Nurses, Nurses on Doctors, Heart Surgeons on Internal Med., MD's on DO's, Derm. on Radiology, PA on Pharmacists etc. It's like a big ego pissing battle. What's funny is that everyone needs each other, but its human nature to compare and contrast intellect.

Just another reason why I choose Dentistry so I don't have to be surrounded by that environment. 😴

 

[Lagunatic]

"I understand you had a question about your co-pay..."

I lol'd!!!!

But back on topic, career choices are tough and you really need to lay down what's most important in your life. What do you value and why do you appreciate it? It's not the money we make, it's the passions that we live for.

 

[NaOH]

"I understand you had a question about your co-pay..."

Thanks for saving this thread, B.

 

[liebht90]

"I understand you had a question about your co-pay..."

Haha this is awesome. This is a great thread to read... you're always going to have opportunity costs, but it's how you rate each one compared to others... The good thing is that there are plenty of branches in pharmacy for you to try out if you don't like one. In my opinion you should be asking yourself the big question right away, "Why pharmacy?" You will be asked this question plenty of times down the path to getting your Pharm.D so you should think long and hard about it now.

 

[Cloud 9]

We'll all be replaced by SkyNet eventually.

lol I can see it now on application forms as a screener...

Are you a human? x_Yes _No

automatic rejection for us...😛

 

[Electrode]

Thanks for saving this thread, B.

👍👍

lol I can see it now on application forms as a screener...

Are you a human? x_Yes _No

automatic rejection for us...😛