Barely two years after graduation, it is evident I don't hold the credentials required to advise a newbie in the profession. Wisdom, it's said, can only be attributed to the old and the experienced. Interestingly, neither the former nor the latter can be attributed to me. I have learned that a man's worth is the sum total of all his experiences. I have not had a great career. My career is barely launching. But as an onlooker, I have experienced what it means to be great in the theater of life. For that, I invite you on this voyage so that we can learn together.
You've graduated from college. Wow! Congratulations. I'm optimistic that you are ready to take on the challenges of the real world. And I know you've promised yourself that you want to make a difference. You desire to leave your mark on the world. But I want you to heed my advice: Don't try to change the world. That would be too overwhelming. Try to change yourself. Be the pharmacist's pharmacist: a reference point for other pharmacists and healthcare professionals. To that end, make yourself a repertoire of knowledge, your fingertips biting with information and your mouth frothing with valuable suggestions on patients' medication problems. For you, I beckon: lifelong learning is not a choice, but a necessity.
We've all heard it since childhood. Curiosity killed the cat. I want you to remember that you're not the cat and your curiosity will not kill you. Instead, it will put you on par with your heroes. We all have heroes. Don't we? Your hero became your hero because he opened his mind to various possibilities. The parachute cannot work unless it is open. You cannot fly unless your mind is open. So listen to your intuitions, but most importantly, act on them.
Alright. I know you all want it at once. But success is a lousy courtesan. You cannot have it the day you court it. Success comes slowly, then at once. You must be willing to delay your gratification. Put in the work, and if possible, put in more work. Forget about being a genius. There are no geniuses. Only those who wouldn't stop until the job is done.
Sorry to hurt you. But you're not ready to take on the world. You cannot even take on the world. You can only play a significant role in the grand theater of the world. You are not enough. Go in search of mentors and stand on their shoulders.
Career advise From Other Pharmacists And Healthcare personnel
Check the name, dosage, and instructions carefully along with the name of the patient" (Before Dispensing Drugs).
Dr. Munish Raizada, Attending Neonatologist at Carle Health, Illinois, United States
Stay up-to-date on current trends concerning the profession: It’s extremely important to stay up-to-date for not only your drugs but also your profession. Know policies and political factors affecting your profession, know the trend of innovation, and what is artificial intelligence doing to your profession. Is machine learning affecting your daily doings? Find out as a pharmacist.
Isah Dahiru, NYSC pharmacist, Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital Yola, Nigeria
Always be relevant and evolve with advancement with new technology, and new changes in new treatment approaches approved by WHO and other relevant health stakeholders and medical organizations.
Casimir Daranwaenyi, Intern Pharmacist, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Nigeria
Think towards domesticating production of a tangible product as that is what stands pharmacy out from other medical professions and also pick an interest and learn the current emerging application of IT to pharmacy practice in order to be at par with current trends.
Edward Oyedeji, Intern Pharmacist, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Nigeria
There are no jobs out there. Learn skills like programming, data analytics, and data science and enroll in online courses to diversify what you can offer an employer or to see what you can do for yourself. Lastly, attend conferences and seminars to acquire relevant exposure.
Muhammad Ridwan, NYSC pharmacist, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Imo State, Nigeria
Start an alternative source of income in case of eventualities. And find time to build up yourself on something, aside from the profession( eg writing, handwork, or any skills).
Idris Yakubu, NYSC Pharmacist, Specialist Hospital, Jalingo, Nigeria
As a young Pharmacist, you need to be patient, dedicated, hard-working, and ready to learn new skills.
Umar Faruq, Intern Pharmacist, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Nigeria
Choose a path as early as possible and working towards that path, avoid distractions. Learn other skills that would help the path of choosing Bloom. Practice the best way as it pays off. Do one thing at a time.
Ahmad Lawal, NYSC Pharmacist, Oyo State Hospital, Oyo, Nigeria
Being a pharmacist is challenging, a pharmacist with specialicialization in terms of educational advancement would help protect the integrity of the pharmacy profession. Being a drug custodian, a leading example of pace has to be set among health professionals with apt and holistic knowledge as it relates to drugs and medicines.
Umar Muhammad, Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital Lafia, Nigeria
Know what you want. But then, in my little experience and exposure, the private sector holds more promise as Nigeria is currently driving towards capitalism. Community and industrial Pharmacy, in addition to Nongovernmental Organizations, are green areas to venture into.
Yahaya Muhammad, Inventory and Marketing Officer Yobe state drugs and Medical Consumables Agency, Damaturu, Nigeria
