[aspirinpharmacist]

So, lately TSR has exploded with people warning future pharmacy students/future pharmacy applicants to jump off a sinking ship and find a lifeboat, and basically look for an alternative. Which is lovely, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the heads up and I'm grateful that you're trying to get us to go into this with our eyes open. However, not a single person has given a reasonable alternative to pharmacy. Someone suggested optometry, but it seems that optometry is suffering similar problems. Every other subject that's even remotely similar is going through the same issues as pharmacy, so what would you suggest the pharmacy entrants of 2012 and beyond do with our futures? It's all very well telling us to do something else, but what exactly is there?

[shuaib786]

(Original post by aspirinpharmacist)
So, lately TSR has exploded with people warning future pharmacy students/future pharmacy applicants to jump off a sinking ship and find a lifeboat, and basically look for an alternative. Which is lovely, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the heads up and I'm grateful that you're trying to get us to go into this with our eyes open. However, not a single person has given a reasonable alternative to pharmacy. Someone suggested optometry, but it seems that optometry is suffering similar problems. Every other subject that's even remotely similar is going through the same issues as pharmacy, so what would you suggest the pharmacy entrants of 2012 and beyond do with our futures? It's all very well telling us to do something else, but what exactly is there?

Well you could work hard and try and do summer placements. Like try to build more contacts. Or you could try Post Grad Medicine or Dentistry, but its up to you if you want to go for them, but its another option though. You could do a Phd, and go for research or industrial. Do a clinical diploma.

You could move abroad, i heard theres a demand in Australia. I heard Australia, USA, Canada, Abu Dhabi the pharmacists are getting paid in the 6 figures.

[johnnyavfc]

Drug dealing

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by shuaib786)
Well you could work hard and try and do summer placements. Like try to build more contacts. Or you could try Post Grad Medicine or Dentistry, but its up to you if you want to go for them, but its another option though. You could do a Phd, and go for research or industrial. Do a clinical diploma.

You could move abroad, i heard theres a demand in Australia. I heard Australia, USA, Canada, Abu Dhabi the pharmacists are getting paid in the 6 figures.

I was expecting to need to do those things anyway. Well, not Post Grad Medicine, I was never destined to be a doctor. It's never appealed to me. Always did fancy industry though. Doing a PhD doesn't sound too horrific either. Hard work, but that was to be expected anyway.

I would actually love to move to Canada. Or America. Or Australia. I could live with that.

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by johnnyavfc)
Drug dealing

That was going to be my job on the side.

[firestar101]

I would be interested in going to Abu Dhabi. Not sue about the process though in becoming a pharmacist there.

[shuaib786]

(Original post by firestar101)
I would be interested in going to Abu Dhabi. Not sue about the process though in becoming a pharmacist there.

Yeah it interests me as well. Also its tax free lol.

[Craming Revision]

I drug deal and call myself a pharmacist tbh

[johnnyavfc]

(Original post by aspirinpharmacist)
That was going to be my job on the side.

Ah Touché, At least with pharmacy you're a legalised drug dealer..

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by johnnyavfc)
Ah Touché, At least with pharmacy you're a legalised drug dealer..

That's what I tell my friends.

[college80]

Dony forget the pharmacy board will know about the situation and they might be trying to redue it so have faith it may not all be doom and gloom.

[ArounaF]

(Original post by johnnyavfc)
Drug dealing

I'd +rep you, but I've already given too much love

[CosmicVengeance]

Teaching ?


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by college80)
Dony forget the pharmacy board will know about the situation and they might be trying to redue it so have faith it may not all be doom and gloom.

To be honest, I have no intention of studying anything other than pharmacy. At least, not at the moment. I mean, were it not for the fees I would've loved to do a degree in English or something later on in life, just because it interests me as well. I've wanted to be a pharmacist since I was 10. They're not getting rid of me that easily. Drama school applicants know that there's going to be blood sweat and tears involved if they want to get anywhere, medicine applicants know that there's a ridiculous amount of work involved in becoming a doctor, and even when you're newly qualified, but they do it anyway because that's what they really want. But having seen a lot of people saying that we should do something else, I'm just curious as to what this magical alternative is supposed to be. And I know that a lot of other pharmacy applicants are wondering as well, so really I'm just looking for a definitive answer.

[. . .]

(Original post by Craming Revision)
I drug deal and call myself a pharmacist tbh

Kind of sums you up.

[petzneo]

(Original post by aspirinpharmacist)
So, lately TSR has exploded with people warning future pharmacy students/future pharmacy applicants to jump off a sinking ship and find a lifeboat, and basically look for an alternative. Which is lovely, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the heads up and I'm grateful that you're trying to get us to go into this with our eyes open. However, not a single person has given a reasonable alternative to pharmacy. Someone suggested optometry, but it seems that optometry is suffering similar problems. Every other subject that's even remotely similar is going through the same issues as pharmacy, so what would you suggest the pharmacy entrants of 2012 and beyond do with our futures? It's all very well telling us to do something else, but what exactly is there?

Optometry is duller than pharmacy from what I hear and see so I don't think it is a good alternative.

There is no perfect alternative to be honest, as an alternative for me may not be suitable for you. If you like pharmacy and don't want to change, then you could emigrate to Australia, America or Canada? Sounds silly, but I have heard of a few people doing this.

In terms of an alternative to a career in pharmacy, well for me it is and always was studying medicine. Its something that I have always wanted to do. If following my pre-reg, it appeared that hospital pharmacy was not for me then I would apply for medicine. Even if I could not get a job here, you could easily find a job in America or Canada as a medical doctor.

My best advice is to not have an alternative, honestly just forget about what you are hearing on TSR. You have yet to start your pharmacy degree. The face of pharmacy could change in 4 years, such that when you reach graduation you will know or at least have a better idea of the best options for you.

[aspirinpharmacist]

(Original post by petzneo)
Optometry is duller than pharmacy from what I hear and see so I don't think it is a good alternative.

There is no perfect alternative to be honest, as an alternative for me may not be suitable for you. If you like pharmacy and don't want to change, then you could emigrate to Australia, America or Canada? Sounds silly, but I have heard of a few people doing this.

In terms of an alternative to a career in pharmacy, well for me it is and always was studying medicine. Its something that I have always wanted to do. If following my pre-reg, it appeared that hospital pharmacy was not for me then I would apply for medicine. Even if I could not get a job here, you could easily find a job in America or Canada as a medical doctor.

My best advice is to not have an alternative, honestly just forget about what you are hearing on TSR. You have yet to start your pharmacy degree. The face of pharmacy could change in 4 years, such that when you reach graduation you will know or at least have a better idea of the best options for you.

That's what I was thinking as well. Didn't really fancy optometry anyway.

I honestly wouldn't mind emigrating, I've actually been hoping to do that after I graduate anyway. Need to focus on getting a pre-reg place but after that I'm hoping to run away to Canada or something, and have done for a few years. Puts me in a better position than those who can't/don't want to move I guess. So it doesn't sound silly at all.

Yeah, that's definitely a possible path, I know a few pharmacy students are doing that as a route into medicine anyway, but I've known for a long time that I'm not cut out for medicine.

I completely see where you're coming from. I was saying that to my mum actually, we've been discussing it a lot and we agreed that things could change a lot in four years, we can't predict what will happen. I mean, four years ago we couldn't really have predicted the position the world is in now, could we? So things have changed a lot already and they can and will change in the future. But thanks for the advice.

[Past Creature]

It really isn't the responsibility of other members to tell you what you should be doing as an alternative. That is an individual's choice. Saying 'there is nothing else,' is unjustified and simply shows how influenced you have all been by the allure of University.

As someone 50 years down the road, your lives do not start and end with schooling, and University does not have to be done right now as this early point in your life.

Options include NVQs, apprenticeships (all tailored to under 25s, check the Gov's website/look in the paper/college career counsellor), or straight into work. There is nothing wrong with gaining a little life experience, vocational qualifications and putting away some money now. People used to take a gap year abroad. I suggest a gap year or two on an apprenticeship.

When you do decide to go to Uni (and you may not once you have broken free of the brainwashing scandal that is higher education), you'll have age, some finances and critically some life experience on your side to make a more informed decision.

I know it seems like this is an urgent situation and you need to decide now. But believe me, you do not.

[Sammydemon]

(Original post by aspirinpharmacist)
So, lately TSR has exploded with people warning future pharmacy students/future pharmacy applicants to jump off a sinking ship and find a lifeboat, and basically look for an alternative. Which is lovely, don't get me wrong, I appreciate the heads up and I'm grateful that you're trying to get us to go into this with our eyes open. However, not a single person has given a reasonable alternative to pharmacy. Someone suggested optometry, but it seems that optometry is suffering similar problems. Every other subject that's even remotely similar is going through the same issues as pharmacy, so what would you suggest the pharmacy entrants of 2012 and beyond do with our futures? It's all very well telling us to do something else, but what exactly is there?

Study pharmaceutical chemistry. It's like pharmacy with more science and the crap cut out.

[Pharm Boy]

(Original post by Sammydemon)
Study pharmaceutical chemistry. It's like pharmacy with more science and the crap cut out.

And what would you do with that degree?