WHY I CHOSE PHARMACY OVER MEDICINE | My story + some advice 

1. less time 2. more specific 3. work life balance 4. no invasive procedures

“so i started watching a lot of RU-vid videos” me rn lol

Watching this video right now as a 4th year pharmacy student and I can totally relate to you. My motivation has run out and I'm trying to watch fellow pharmacy students so that I can get back on track 😂

Girl you have the same exact story as mine!!! I wanted to pursue medicine and dermatology for specialization. And at the end of my highschool i realised my grades werent that good. In addition i have the same reasons as yours for not opting pharmacy over medicine. Thank you so much for sharing this one! It definitely did build my confidence up.

So true about being able to chat with pharmacists. My family doctor is an empathetic guy and a great doctor but I can always feel my chattiness annoying him under the surface (understandably so as I know he's sooo busy). I know that professionalism is also important too, but I love how pharmacists always seem to be able to slow down and talk to you and really get to know your situation whenever you go to them for help! I guess it has to do with the pace/nature of the job but its really nice getting to approach your health care practitioners like that :)

20+ years in pharmacy here and love ever second of it! May not pay the greatest in my country (Australia), but it is definitely very rewarding. Passed on med (no rectal exams 😂😂😂😂) and pharmacy was really hard to get into, and I got a scholarship! So win win at the time for me! Do what makes you happy!

Omg, thank you so much Armitta!!! This was so helpful!! I really need this🥰🙏🏻 I’m a high school student and I’m thinking of becoming a pharmacist😍 Thank you for the tips!!

This is such a good video!! Thank you for making it I feel so seen as this is so similar to my own trajectory, I’m going into my final year of undergrad at a Canadian uni as well, was really pre med at the beginning but then changed my mind, I’m really hoping I get into pharm school!!!

thank you for this video! it's very helpful and informative! thanks for sharing your story, and giving advice to people who maybe considering becoming a pharmacist one day!

Hello Armitta! I’m a tenth grade high school student in Canada. I have been doing some researching about pharmacy and I also decided to watch some videos as well! So far, I think pharmacy is something that I would like to pursue. Everything that you have stated is basically what I have thought. Thank you for making this video, as I was able to relate and evaluate my career choices!! I appreciate it :)

Thank you for sharing your story Armitta! I also chose pharmacy over medicine and it involves similar thoughts and value systems. I pursued critical care and academia as a pharmacist after 9 years of training.

i love this video armitta! im going to a pharmacy course in the uk and im so excited. after i watched this video, i do not regret choosing pharmacy.

Love this one! I was exactly in the same situation as you! first it started with medicine, then dentistry and finally pharmacy. and the reason I didn't consider pharmacy at first is because I didn't know much about it! it's as simple as that! it was never an option for me. but now I thank god for it! cheers all the way from France! 🇫🇷

Thank you for this video! It was really helpful and I agree woth you in so many things. I'm actually trying to decide between Pharmacy and Medicine but I'm definitely leaning more towards Pharmacy so far.

You talk good and friendly,i would just come to say hi like others often and listen to you, if you become a pharmacist soon. This is one of the best pharmacy guidance or career guidance video.

Please keep on making videos regarding Pharmacy! Love from Italy x

Waow I really love your video I can really relate my self on almost all what you talked about. The transition from medicine to dentistry and finally pharmacy. After watching so many videos I finally made up my mind too on pharmacy. I just submitted my application form recently and hope to start the Pharm D program soon😊

The part about middle Eastern parents, SAMEE, also I loved this video thank youu❤❤❤

Thank you for the advice! I feel like I can relate to your thought process.

This video is really helpful. Am currently a 400l pharmacy student from Nigeria and it has been an amazing journey so far.

Wonderful video !! Your story is amazing as it provides great advice and tips for those who are not sure which career to pursue in health care ... I think i may get to pharmacy field as i love chemistry and it has a much flexible hours to work as you mentioned and you can finish faster I hope you get back to uploading videos ... I watched the video fully and payed attention to every point you mentioned about the pros and cons of both careers ... I subscribed ... liked the video I am really fascinated by your method of demonstaring things ..... your way of clarifying things is astonishing you deserve much more subscribers and views ❤️ Its obvious that you have such a bright future ✨ Have a nice day ☺️🌷

Hey. Your video is great. I'm a rambler sometimes so it was fine for me. I currently have a bachelor in Chemistry, the program was biochemistry. I graduated back in 2016 and am now looking at pharmacy schools. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner because your courses expire after 10 years, at least in the U.S in Massachusetts. Thankfully I was undecided my 1st year there , Fall 2010-Spring 2011. While I was in my major I just figured well as long as I get Cs I'll graduate. The phrase "C's get degrees". So I wasn't exactly trying my hardest toward the end. I worked at CVS as a pharmacy technician for 3 years and just recently started working as a pharmacy technician at a hospital in the inpatient pharmacy. It is a lot different. I don't see patients like I used to see my customers. That is what is the hardest, not seeing my customers. I bonded with all of them. I'm not sure if that's me or just because of retail, but I enjoyed that part of my job. So I do miss retail but it's been nice to get a different view of pharmacy in hospital. I make IVs for patients both in the ER and those staying in the hospital. I also make IVs for patient who are coming in for infusions. Some I've made are biologics which are wicked interesting how the medications work in the body. Anyways, I'm speaking with another admissions advisor today from the Boston campus of MCPHS. The college has 3 different campuses. I spoke to an advisor who works at the Worcester site yesterday. I have some work I need to do as some courses I did not take while in my major such as Microbiology (I'm kicking myself because I took molecular instead, but the class was cool and interesting), Anatomy and Statistics. I need to retake my gen Chem but the advisor I spoke too told me I should look into CLEP for Chemistry because as long as I passed it would fulfill the requirement and I would avoid having to retake the course. I'm most likely going to take them online, as she emphasized "to get on the ground running". She said to make sure to do well in those courses to raise my GPA in that coursework. Good luck to everyone. Make sure you know the prerequisite courses and try to do well since pharmacy school, especially in Boston, is competitive. That's where I am. Sorry for the huge paragraph 😬

this soo relatable to my lifee ...i am soo happy to here there are people thinking the way i am ......considered going to medicine becoz of much more higher status and money.....but the thing is too cant see blood and stuff.....and ruining my half youth and young age which i want to enjoy THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Brilliant Armitta! My son is choosing either to go to Med or Pharmacy school. This could help him. ^^

I loved your video Armitta!!! I’m an undergraduate studen from an Univesity in Puerto Rico and I want to pursue a career in pharmacy. Thank you so much for sharing your experience!

Thank u i really needed that as a sign. I was really hooked on medicine however i didn't have the grades for it so i thought maybe dentistry is more accessible .well that didn't happen either so when i got accepted into pharmacy school i wasn't really happy about it. Thank u for giving me reasons to like it. In September i will be starting my first year and i'm slowly getting excited for it thanks to ppl like u💓

I lovee your videos! Could you also make a video giving your tips on how to get your application to stand out for pharmacy school?

i love your personality. thank you for this video, it’s extremely helpful

I am a U.S. pharmacist and I regret that I became a pharmacist. The pharmacist job market is really bad here in U.S. 70% of pharmacist (most are forced due to a lack of other options) work within traditional retail pharmacy practice settings with poor working conditions: standing 12 hours on feet (can't sit down), little respect from doctors/public (retail pharmacist is really viewed as a salesperson by other healthcare professionals and public), unrealistic work loads, full-time working as a pharmacy technician, little or no lunch breaks. Most importantly, as a retail pharmacist, you will be expected to work as a full time pharmacy technician. This is the biggest untold truth (by pharmacy schools) about working at a retail pharmacy in the United States. This directly puts you at a much higher risk of making a serious mistakes as a pharmacist! How many doctors have to work as full time nurses too? I am sure zero! I went to pharmacy school because I thought I could enter pharmaceutical industry field after graduation. However, unless you have strong connections with the right professionals, you need to forget about working in non-traditional pharmacy settings where work conditions are appropriate. The real lesson of life: don't choose a profession that you like, but the one with realistic work conditions. Moreover, finding a job as a hospital or clinic pharmacist will be extremely difficult because this is where most pharmacists want to work (due to much better work conditions, benefits, work-life balance etc). My advice: if you are already in pharmacy school, go directly into a residency program and become a clinical pharmacist. This was a significant oversight on my part because I was money-hungry, and I went to work for a retail pharmacy instead of getting more specialized-training. After I realized how much I hate working in a traditional retail pharmacy, it became too late/difficult to take another path in the profession. Second life lesson: it is not enough to determine what is the right thing for you to do, but doing it at the right time as well is crucial! I only hope that most traditional pharmacy settings will be converted to mail-order pharmacy where you verify prescriptions behind closed doors with acceptable work conditions!

This is so informative and relatable, I'm sill in high school and I love health care but I'm not a fan of blood and all that too so that's why I choose to be a pharmacist

I am a 3rd year pharmacy student from India...i love this course....it doesn't have level of popularity as compared to medicine and dentistry....but the specificity is the golden rule...

The idea of me being able to have a side job on the weekend if i want to as a telepharmacist where i can work at home is super cool too!

Being a pharmacy student......I can relate to you at this point 12:10. I too am afraid of blood and needles. That was my reason as well for taking pharmacy over dentistry and medicine. My parents always wanted me to become an MBBS doctor but getting a lower percentage in college took me to this field. Not getting admission in MBBS and dentistry is really not the end of the life there are other great options as well in the medical field that one can think about. Love from Pakistan❤

Same. A lot of your reasons are my reasons too why I'm interested in Pharmacy. So thankful i came across in this video. I really hope i'll get a chance to study pharmacy.

I absolutely love this video so much ! I applied to pharmacy in the uk and i got my offer and will start soon in September. I honestly have the same reasons as you, i literally relate so much. Keep up with making more videos they are great !! Also im Lebanese where r u from !? I definitely relate to having middle eastern parents too 😂🙈

I love your video❤ Thanks for the advice

Love your video

Merci azizam that helped me a lot cause I was very confused choosing my career between med or pharmacy and I think I’ve came up with decision 😌☺️

yesyes i felt the same working as a pharmacist assistant never got bored it was very flexible and loved hearing all the chats with patients who came by regularly. would you mind saying what your gpa was in undergrad i rly hope ill be able to get in!!

I'm so stuck choosing between medicine or pharmacy i needed this video

I was exactly in the same situation when i passed my 12th in India 2005. It was so pretty and Love the way you put in thought process why you have choosen Pharmacy over medicine. This is an eye opener for the young professionals who are looking to pursue pharmacy.. kudos for the effort. Appreciate if you can post some videos on PEBC exam steps for overseas pharmacists with present scenario and job prospects etc or who are looking to step in to Canada and server the people of the country/ to server the nation. God bless you abundantly Lots of love Tc

This is the current information really I was looking for

I can relate to you in so many ways,!!!! Thank you for this

Hello! I'm gonna start my pharmacy studies in couple of days! This video was kind of motivation for me. Now I'm more confident about studying it . Thanks to you💕

Hi👋 Armitta. I am a pharmacy student in Thailand. I think we have the same story because I didn't want to become a pharmacist at first. I found it's interesting when I got there. Now my dream was changed, and I aim for graduating pharmacy in order to become a forensic pharmacist.💟 P.S. sorry for my inaccurate english, I just wanted to share my story with you.😃

Video still helpful after three years tysm 🤍🤍

Thanks so much really needed this as a high school student

Hi Thanks for the sharing your story here. It's really helpful to aspiring pharmacy students

right now i am in stage of choosing my career path and i dont know what career is best for me. besides like you i dont want to become a doctor because for the working schedule and the time they spend on the same place its kinda like a prison for me . but lately i am thinking about pharmacy and your video help me to know about this career

My situation totally same like you,and I'm dying which one should i choose between dentistry or pharmacist..thanks for those these information and rn i feel my heart choosing pharmacist more.i hope i won't regret it.

Thank you for this vid. It helped me a lot realizing things. Same as yours, I was also very unsure which path to take since I am really interested in medical field. I was considering on applying to medschool but it will take me a while since I have to study really hard for MCAT that's why I switched my interest to Dental School but apparently, as what you have mentioned, it is super competitive here in Canada thus having low chance of getting into medschool. That's the reason why I'm considering to apply as a PharmaD since I am currently working at the Pharmacy as an Assistant in a Hospital. I have a question for you though, since you mentioned you did a different undergrad degree (not BSc Pharmacy), was it hard for you to apply into Doctor of Pharmacy? I am from Alberta and I'm quite unsure if they're gonna accept me into the University since I took Biotechnology during my undergrad and did my undergrad in the Philippines. I hope you can give me some tips. :D Thank you!

Great video, I live in Ontario and I’m considering it, I’m only 15 though.

Thanks for information, have been worrying if am on a good path way to good career.

Great video it really helpful Love from Sierra Leone😍

Thanks for sharing your story.am an undergraduate student looking forward to studying pharmacy

thank uuu for this video

Thank you very much for your help, I've decided that I'll apply to Pharmacy school 😁💊💉

Thankkk you so much irani. You hepled me a lottt, i was so confused about that, And youre soooooo cute btw. 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

My mind was ever programmed to be an entrepreneur And doing pharmacy was my first option....Thanks 👍 for this video

I'm actually planning on going to Trent uni biochemistry this january! and from there pharmacy hopefully!

Interesting insights. Thank you for sharing. Video welldone🙂👍

I love the video .Me too am the same first year student pharmacy in Uganda

I too relate with you about the situation 🙂🙂🙂

This was a great video Armitta! you said your dad is a doctor, how did he react to you wanting to do pharmacy? Also are you just interested in community pharmacy?

this is helpful to guess if a pharm D good for me and thank u for sharing your story💕💕

This is a great vdo❤️

Hello i studied pharmacy too. this is my first semester. Greetings from Indonesia.

I love your video.. Thanks for sharing ❤ I'm a 2nd-year pharmacy student in India

This really helped me thank youu🤍

I also chosed pharmacy over medicine

Proud to be pharmacist❤❤🤞

Hey, I had a question. I'm an international student currently in grade 12th, will be applying to Canadian universities for the 2024 fall intake. Can we apply to the pharmacy program after high school itself or r we suppose to take a 2 year course in science with specific subject requirements and then apply for the pharmacy program? (I'm interested in hospital pharmacy where u get to interact with patients and stuff idk what it's called lol😹) and can u please make a video on your application process would be great ☺

Thanks a lot for all your videos ma'am

Can you do more videos about pharmacy, how indicates grades growing professional in academic, what we can go in specialized!

Thank you for being here❤

Straight away i knew you had middle eastern roots from your eyes and accent mashallah ❤

Thank you so much 😊😊😊

Currently a senior in high school and was also dead set on derm too! Crazy how the world works lol

Ohhh thanks for giving advice my queen but I asked one question for u .........I want to be learned pharmacy then what need before learned pharmacy?

This is exactly mee.....samezies

pharmacists do have to work weekends and holidays tho :( currently thinking about this thank you for the video!

I know someone who failed out of nursing and has completed 2 years of pharmacy school

Thanks Armitta I like your advice but please pharmacy is more of what subject?

I am also a student of Pharm D In Pakistan. In our university one Canadian guy also studying.

You are amazing i like your videos despite i speak arabic 💓💓

Thank you 😊 😘

pena for sure shes the most likeable and respectable one here and all her fights have been ending in a stoppage and she also beat nunes in a stoppage def pena.

Hello! I'm Rayen from Algeria 🇩🇿 I really appreciated your video Wish you a good continuation 😊❤

2:06 ahahaha felt that on a spiritual level. My parents pretty much ain’t giving me a choice for anything except within the healthcare industry.Which middle eastern country are you from btw?

Wow I love it

Questions I would say everybody wants to know (straight to the point): Can "C's get you degrees" get you by in this career ? (Currently in the military and considering transitioning out to this with MGIB/ Tuition assistance/ Cross train into medical if possible to get some experience as a pharmacy tech later to go full pharmacist without any debt) With minor experience in mind, do pharmacist's in retail have to do a lot of research having to give out medication? : I would figure if its something to do with a prescription the doctor is going to do a "pre-scan" of the patient to ensure they aren't allergic to medication. IF they are, would they then be prescribed something specific to them by the doctor or is there a pharmacist always on site inside of a hospital who pre-checks the medication later for them to go to a pharmacy. Would you say the average salary of a pharmacist is 120k+ in big GDP areas (California, Texas, New York) Etc ? "Pharmacist have their license on the line as if a Pharmacy tech makes a mistake it'll come back to you", : Would you have to review every on of your techs pills after they have counted and bottled pills so this doesn't happen? Or in what situation would this occur. Entrepreneur/ Intrapreneur aspect: Sounds like opening a pharmacy would be one of the only ways you would be able to progress on your own in this career aside from being hired by a CVS, Walgreens, Hospital, etc. Is there any other ways?

Currently considering pharmacy. I'm super interested in psychiatry & neuroscience, so I'm thinking perhaps specializing for psychiatric pharmacology. HOWEVER, I've been seeing stuff around RU-vid about "complex calculations" and I'm a bit scared of that.

If you know, you know xD

I am from Egypt and I will start studying pharmacy in a week , thx for this video 💖

I can totally relate you now at 8;23😂❤️

omg so relatable . one thing always gets stuck in my brain is when people says this field is saturated ? what’s your thought on it? also is better for both salary wise and interesting wise ? how much demand is there for pharmacy in canada as i’ll be going there too. which uni r u from?

I loved this video!!! how is the process of becoming a Pharmacist in Canada? thank you

yes.l chose pharmacy over dentisty

Oh yhhh. I wanted to become a dermatologist . But the fact that I have to study medicine first then blablabla . It all takes about 12 years .. no no no . So I decided to become a cosmetic formulator/scientist/chemist instead where I have to study chemistry or any related course . But I'm going for pharmacy . I think it's better of . Then go for cosmetic science .. ❣️❣️

Hi Armitta a am also aa student of pharmacy in india. I want to do my ms in Canada . In Canada the GRE exam is mandatory for the pharmacy graduate. For applying University?? And tell me what are the career opportunities in Canada completing pharmacy ms degree?? Lots of love from India ❤️❤️😄😄. Go forward I appreciate your work 👍👍