What would you do?

[pharmpharm2000]

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Hey Guys,

Here is my current situation. I'm 34 and was accepted into Pharmacy school for this coming Fall. I have been a tech for 8 years; hospital, home infusion, specialty. I've saved and invested my past income, which will allow me to go to school loan free... With that being said, I have read/heard about the horrible outlook and job aspects for this career. But, since I will not be taking any loans out for school, I have no partner/kids, and If I have to move to BFE for a position, I wouldn't mind. I, also have connections which should help me, however, I don't want to count on them 100%. With all of this being said, would you chance it? Or would you go towards another field such as IT?

Thanks member's of SDN!

 

[pms_testosterone]

If you're truly willing to move anywhere, I don't see how employment will be an issue.

And do your research before deciding to go into IT; grass is not always greener etc.

 

[pacificrx]

Pharmacy is getting more and more saturated as you know. But as the person above mentioned, if you are willing to re-locate to less saturated area, you should be fine. The fact that you also have connections is a TREMENDOUS advantage as most job opportunities nowadays are given through really good networking.

 

[Apples2Oranges]

Do what you like to do. Going to school loan free and having connections are big advantages.

IT and comp sci also involves a lot of connections. Nowadays, a comp sci major isn't enough anymore. There's a huge influx of students doing it now. You'll see people here that are mostly clueless about tech and tell you to go into it simply for the money and job prospects. That's only if you're good at what you do and can be useful in the industry over time. It's not recession proof nor is it stable. If you want a job after college, you need an internship. Most entry jobs for computer-related fields are $50-70k. I know because I went to college with a lot of them. I don't know where they suddenly got $100k. You earn that over time. And that's only if you can stay there or else they can replace you with someone better. It is boring the first few years, and many people don't stay at the same company for a long time.

Remember what you like to do. If you enjoy tech work, then maybe give it a try. Pharmacy is saturated but don't think you're safe if you enter IT. If you want real job prospects and stability at your age, go to medical school.

 

[BC_89]

Hey Guys,

Here is my current situation. I'm 34 and was accepted into Pharmacy school for this coming Fall. I have been a tech for 8 years; hospital, home infusion, specialty. I've saved and invested my past income, which will allow me to go to school loan free... With that being said, I have read/heard about the horrible outlook and job aspects for this career. But, since I will not be taking any loans out for school, I have no partner/kids, and If I have to move to BFE for a position, I wouldn't mind. I, also have connections which should help me, however, I don't want to count on them 100%. With all of this being said, would you chance it? Or would you go towards another field such as IT?

Thanks member's of SDN!

I'll be in the same boat as you (32 with both inpatient/outpatient experience 7 yrs should I persue pharmacy once again). With some bias in my statement I say absolutely go for it. You will be debt-free and with a mind-set to be willing to move anywhere you have an upper-hand with the competition. Why? Well for starters your starting a career change debt free so any job offer you recieve at any wage level is only in your favor. Cherish your connections, you understand how far that'll take you. In the end if this is something you will find some level of joy in with no debtor to hold you back ( worst case scenario you work prn or part time until you land a full-time gig somewhere) then strive for it

 

[PharmtoCS]

IT/computer science is a far better return on investment for your education. The risks of going into the field are significantly smaller as you can get into the field by teaching yourself for close to free if you're self-motivated enough. Go get into pharmacy, however, you would need to invest a minimum of an additional 5 years and $100-250k depending on where you go to school. To go into pharmacy, you would most definitely need to quit your full-time job or at least drop to part time or per diem. You will lose your primary source of income for 4 years as you burn through your life savings. By going into IT/programming, however, you have more opportunities to take classes on the side for a fraction of the tuition of pharmacy school as you continue to earn and invest your income.

Just look at how tech companies treat programmers compared to how chain retail pharmacies treat pharmacists. Many tech companies provide three catered gourmet meals a day, on-site gym and laundry, shuttle service, etc. whereas a retail pharmacist might be lucky to even get a bathroom break. There is a huge shortage of computer programmers right now. Tech companies know this and bend over backward to retain programmers. Chain retail companies used to bend over backward to recruit and retain pharmacists until saturation hit, now which pharmacists are being treated as replaceable commodities as we are forced to work harder with less pay and help - or be replaced by a hungry new grad with $200k+ in loans who will work even harder for even less.

 

[pharmpharm2000]

Thanks for all the reply's guys.. I am still in limbo on what to do. I am just afraid in 4 years, all the BFE jobs will be taken and then I will SOL. However, I can't predict the future, nor can I predict how the prospect for any job will be. I've also been doing my research on IT, and while there seems to be more positions open in my area, they are all low paying and require certs. which I could obtain, through self study. I still have some time before Pharmacy school starts, so maybe, Ill go get my magic 8-ball and ask away. 🙂 Thanks again everyone!