CollegeSurfing Insider

One of my friends from high school just came back home from her semester at school. Unlike most of my friends, she didn’t graduate this semester. Now, this isn’t because she just couldn’t cut it - she’s actually super busy in a six-year intensive pharmacy program. When she graduates officially in two years, she’ll have her doctor of pharmacy and will be able to go out into the world as a pharmacist.

A lot of us go into school, not knowing what we want to do. And even if we have an idea, it’s very likely that that will change throughout our four years at school. My friend basically had to know that she wanted to do this when she was 17 years old, when she applied for the program. She was admitted and has kept up with it ever since. I really admire her for sticking to her guns! She’s always very busy with schoolwork and it’s all pretty interesting. Let’s examine the career…

Pharmacists don’t just fill prescriptions, you know. They must have a working knowledge of all the drugs out on the market, while being the go-to person for healthcare information. What kinds of drugs interact negatively with each other? Which prescriptions should people not take because of allergies? This profession carries a large responsibility in handling the lives of many people and, as a result, it’s very important to pay attention to detail. One wrong move, and it can cost someone their life. But that likely won’t happen since pharmacists have much experience and training.

Since the end of high school, my friend has worked at CVS in the pharmacy as an intern to get hands-on experience. A pharmacy isn’t the only place pharmacists work, however. They can also do research at pharmaceutical companies and work in hospitals. Throughout school they take basic science classes, including biology and chemistry. As the years go on, students take more specialized pharmaceutical classes, with professors who are specialists in each topic. My friend’s last year will be spent doing various rotations at different locations. Here, she will get very specialized experience that will prepare her for a career in pharmacy.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), pharmacists held about 230,000 jobs in 2004 and the number continues to grow. It estimates that a career in pharmacy will grow faster than the average career by 2014. The median wage in May 2004 was $84,900, as reported by the BLS.

Looks like a good career to get into, especially if you like the medical field but don’t want to go as far as getting your M.D. If you like helping people you’ll definitely like a career in pharmacy, as you deal constantly with others and helping them with their prescriptions (depending on your place of employment, of course). I had coffee with my friend the other night and she’s definitely dedicated to her profession. She’ll spend her summer interning and reading up on all the drugs so that she can get a good handle on them and what they do, she told me. She’s moving along on the path to a successful career in pharmacy.

Click here for a different take on pharmacy: View Health Care From All Angles Through Pharmacy Technician Schools

-Amanda Fornecker

There are so many job titles out there. How can you possibly know which one is right for you? And there is a ton of information about these jobs too, but it seems that only the common ones, like doctor, lawyer, and teacher, are well known. What about those other jobs? There are lots of cool jobs out there (and variations on the common ones) - and books to tell you all about them. Take a look at two professions, outlined by these authors…

The Musical Engineer, A Music Enthusiast’s Guide to Careers in Engineering and Technology (Engineering Education Service Center, 2007), by Celeste Baine
If you have a knack for music and desire some different kind of career, consider being a musical engineer. You’ll combine your love of music, engineering, and technology.

“If you love music, like to work on computers, are fascinated by electronics and mechanics, or have a love for gadgets, combining music with engineering or technology may be the hot ticket for you. Not only can it lead to a successful career contributing to the newest releases on the charts, but it can also lead to success creating instruments or changing the way we listen to music,” says Baine in her book.

How cool is that?!? There are so many possibilities in the music and engineering fields. Did you know that there are engineers who design ring tones too? Hey, somebody’s gotta do it. Check out the engineering, technological, and musical possibilities.

The Upstart Guide to Owning and Managing a Restaurant (2nd ed., Kaplan Publishing, 2007), by Roy S. Alonzo
So you love to cook, but never thought of making a career out of it. But you’re an entrepreneur and know all about businesses. Or maybe you’ve gone to culinary school, but you’re tired of working for other people and want to be your own boss. Why not start your own restaurant?

In this book, Alonzo discusses how to get the restaurant of your dreams, and all that’s required to successfully run the business. Should you buy an existing restaurant or start one from scratch? What should the ambience of the restaurant be like? These are questions Alonzo answers in the second edition of his book, where he aims to keep up with the technology of a changing business world.

Says Alonzo in the first chapter of his book: “Most people prefer the stability of a nine-to-five job with a steady paycheck, and there is a great deal to be said for that. But if you enjoy seeing your creation grow and thrive on challenges, in spite of unusual demands, the restaurant business may be an exhilarating and profitable experience for you.”

-Amanda Fornecker

Want to make some noise at next year’s GRAMMY awards? You can with a career in audio engineering, says a brand new article at CollegeSurfing.com.

Learn more about how to make (sound) waves in this tech-driven profession that’s expected to see lots of job growth in the coming decade. If you love the music biz, but have an American Idol-reject type singing voice, a behind-the-scenes audio engineering career may be the big break you’re looking for.

Thanks for listening (sorry — couldn’t resist!).

Photo: Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times