Why did I choose Pharmacy: Fine Arts was my 1st choice because I really love to draw, but I chose Pharmacy because I want a course that will be a big help to my parents. My parents are both sick and they are taking many medications.

About my college education: At first, I thought that Pharmacy has no math, but I was wrong! There was a subject called Pharmaceutical Calculations where in we learned how to calculate doses for pediatric and geriatric patients. I also learned how to compound drugs and chemicals.

The subject that was the most difficult was Pharmacology. Almost half of the class failed and needed to take removal exams in order to pass. Pharmacology is considered as one of the core subjects in Pharmacy. It is where we discuss the mechanism of action of a drug, it's effect to the body.

Passing the exams was difficult. Almost half of those who took the exams failed. Also, some people shifted to another course.
I failed the board exam on my first try. But I didn't lose hope. I studied and reviewed day and night, and when the day of the exams came, I was prepared. I passed the exams and now, I am a Registered Pharmacist.

My current job: I am a clinical pharmacist at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City.
I review the medication history of a patient and make an appropriate plan of action that will be presented to the physician on duty.

Am I using what I learned in college: During college, we used to have Hospital Pharmacy Internship. We will be interns at a hospital for 360 hours. During the internship, I saw how pharmacists work in a hospital setting. Since then, I said to myself that I will be working in a hospital someday, and it came true!

The other useful thing that I learned are the type of prescriptions. I work in a hospital setting and the knowledge about prescriptions was very useful to me.

How long did it take to find a job: It took me over a year to find a job because I took the board exam for the second time.

Do I recommend studying Pharmacy: There are a lot of opportunities that await to Pharmacy graduates. They can work in a drugstore setting, or in the hospital like I do, or the manufacturing setting (where drugs are made). But you must pass first the board exam and be a Registered Pharmacist in order to be hired. Pharmacy graduates that are not board passers can work as a Pharmacy assistant.

A new entry pharmacist can earn up to 16,000 a month, while a more experienced pharmacist can earn up to 35,000 a month.

Advice to people who are thinking of studying this course: To all those who are considering Pharmacy, I would like to tell you that this is not an easy course. To be able to pass this course, you must be willing to sacrifice your "gimik" time because you will be doing research most of the time.

Also, be diligent in doing your home works. It may be petty to some but by doing this, you will form a habit of professionalism that will be required when you work.