Would you give up 4 years and $100K for this?

[SCSIfreek]

I was just thinking about changing careers and go into Doctor of Pharmacy. Looking at website of universities, my rough estimate would be 4 years and 100K to cover all expenses. If I came out with a PhD degree, my salary will be in the 100K+/year range hmmmmm.... need to really seat down and think about it.


--Scsi

 

[isasir]

Couldn't you finish a Master's program and make $80k, and work for awhile and then decide if you want your PhD? (I've considered pharmacy as well, as a move from IT, but I haven't looked into it at all yet)

 

[datalink7]

Well, 100k/year salary sounds awesome to me. I'll never be making that much.

 

[StageLeft]

Go for it.

 

[Hoober]

What are some good pharmaceutical schools? I'm looking for a career change, too.

 

[newbiepcuser]

If thats what you want and care about, then do it.

 

[Spooner]

right now's a good time to be in school

 

[MC]

how old are you?

 

[SCSIfreek]

getting a Masters degree won't get you in the 80K range I'm sure of that especially in this economy. I'm making close to that as of now but would like to change my life a little(actually a lot). But I dont think my fiancee will go with the idea of having instant noodle and bread for 4 years inaddition, giving up $100K.


--Scsi

 

[SCSIfreek]

Originally posted by: MC
how old are you?

I'm a old fart, 28 here.


--Scsi

 

[vi edit]

You're actually going to want a PharmD degree, and you could be able to do it for cheaper through a public university. My wife only pays $13k a year for her PharmD degree at the University of Iowa.

But to answer your question - if you can hack the school work, and you actually think you'll enjoy doing it when you get out, go for it. The job market is VERY optomistic for pharmacists and the pay is very well as well.

Have you ANY sort of hospital/clinical/or retail pharmacy experience? Or are you going into this blindly?

 

[vi edit]

US Pharmacy Schools

 

[SCSIfreek]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
You're actually going to want a PharmD degree, and you could be able to do it for cheaper through a public university. My wife only pays $13k a year for her PharmD degree at the University of Iowa.

But to answer your question - if you can hack the school work, and you actually think you'll enjoy doing it when you get out, go for it. The job market is VERY optomistic for pharmacists and the pay is very well as well.

Have you ANY sort of hospital/clinical/or retail pharmacy experience? Or are you going into this blindly?

in a way, I'm walking in blindly as you mentioned. but I do enjoy the chemistry aspect and the work as a pharmacist. I haven't gotten any real world experiences that is why I'm hesitant to jump the gun on such a big change in my current lifestyle. Please note I'm currently a Civil Engineer(E-I-T), about to get licensed later this year(if I pass the PE exam). Although I do (somewhat) enjoy the work but I can't find any satisfaction .


--Scsi

 

[Spac3d]

My mom told me to change majors to Pharmacy... I don't know why. The business school I go to is nationally ranked.

 

[dquan97]

Try an internship at a pharmacy. How does standing up 8 hrs a day sound to you? A friend of mine who did an internship reported that the job is really mundane (boring).

 

[LordThing]

Great! Look what you have started. Now all the 100k/year jobs will be taken up by the other 30 or so IT geeks that jump ship with you. Maybe you should move this to HotDeals


Check for ATOT members in your classes.

 

[vi edit]

in a way, I'm walking in blindly as you mentioned. but I do enjoy the chemistry aspect and the work as a pharmacist. I haven't gotten any real world experiences that is why I'm hesitant to jump the gun on such a big change in my current lifestyle. Please note I'm currently a Civil Engineer(E-I-T), about to get licensed later this year(if I pass the PE exam). Although I do (somewhat) enjoy the work but I can't find any satisfaction

Do a search for "pharmacy" or "pharmacists". There are a couple very informative threads about the profession buried here in OT.

I will tell you this - there are two VERY different paths you can go with pharmacy - retail or clinical. I'm rather biased (or actually my wife is biased) so I'm not the best person to tell you which is "better" per say, but outside of pay, I don't know how someone could be very satisfied with a retail position(walgreens, walmart, ect).

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: Spac3d
My mom told me to change majors to Pharmacy... I don't know why. The business school I go to is nationally ranked.

Are you Asian? It seems like a lot of Asian parents tell their kids to go into Pharmacy and medical these days. I know a lot of Asian parents discourage IT/CS these days.

 

[jhu]

well, what i've heard is that working at a pharmacy is boring but lucrative but working in a clinical setting is "fun" but not as lucrative.

 

[Doggiedog]

Originally posted by: dquan97
Try an internship at a pharmacy. How does standing up 8 hrs a day sound to you? A friend of mine who did an internship reported that the job is really mundane (boring).

Why does being a pharmacist equate to standing up 8 hours a day? There are other types of pharmacists jobs other than retail. My wife is a pharmacist at a large pharmaceutical company and sits down all day.

 

[hdeck]

Originally posted by: SCSIfreek

Originally posted by: vi_edit
You're actually going to want a PharmD degree, and you could be able to do it for cheaper through a public university. My wife only pays $13k a year for her PharmD degree at the University of Iowa.

But to answer your question - if you can hack the school work, and you actually think you'll enjoy doing it when you get out, go for it. The job market is VERY optomistic for pharmacists and the pay is very well as well.

Have you ANY sort of hospital/clinical/or retail pharmacy experience? Or are you going into this blindly?

in a way, I'm walking in blindly as you mentioned. but I do enjoy the chemistry aspect and the work as a pharmacist. I haven't gotten any real world experiences that is why I'm hesitant to jump the gun on such a big change in my current lifestyle. Please note I'm currently a Civil Engineer(E-I-T), about to get licensed later this year(if I pass the PE exam). Although I do (somewhat) enjoy the work but I can't find any satisfaction .


--Scsi

you really think standing in a confined space for 8-10 hrs per day putting pills in bottles is going to give you much satisfaction?

 

[hpkeeper]

Dood... for $100,000 a year, I'll put up with standing up for 8 hours a day.


To me, your decision is a no-brainer... $100,000 total spent to make $100,000 a year, if you saved all your money for one years worth of work, you'd have your entire tuition payed off in one year and the rest would be profit... for cryin' out loud... what's there to think about?

 

[richardycc]

there is no Master in pharmacy. you are either a pharm. d, or nothing now.

I dont think the starting salary is that high, maybe around 80k, I know there is a shortage for pharmacist, from what I've heard, CVS is paying your X year of tuition if you promise to work for them for X amount of year after you graduated.

 

[SCSIfreek]

Originally posted by: hpkeeper
Dood... for $100,000 a year, I'll put up with standing up for 8 hours a day.


To me, your decision is a no-brainer... $100,000 total spent to make $100,000 a year, if you saved all your money for one years worth of work, you'd have your entire tuition payed off in one year and the rest would be profit... for cryin' out loud... what's there to think about?

You know that there aint no tax free country on earth.

Might look into pharmacy research to better suit the satisfaction part.


--Scsi

 

[Aceshigh]

Yes, after you graduate, putting away just $20,000 a year, while still living damn good on $80,000 a year, in just 5 years you would recoup your investment, and then you can look forward to a life full of fat paychecks and fancy living. Do it.