Could you tell us a little bit about your early educational background?
I received my Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from the University of California, Riverside in 2016.
What first got you interested in the healthcare field as a career choice? There are a lot of career options in the field – nursing, physician assistant, etc., what made you decide that pharmacy was the right practice area/career choice for you?
I chose the field of pharmacy because I knew that I wanted to be able to help people and build relationships with them. Having worked in a pharmacy for a few years, I came to know that pharmacists are very trustworthy, reliable, and consistent. The field of pharmacy is growing, and there are so many niches that I can explore. Pharmacy is a profession that balances both the field of science with patient care, both of which I am passionate about.
What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education and in particular in pursuing your PharmD degree? Was there any one thing that led you to decide, “this is definitely the right move for me”?
Throughout my four years at UC Riverside, I found it very difficult to be able to balance both academic and personal goals together. Working a full-time job as well, it was a challenge taking accelerated classes, working, and studying. After my second year, I finally was able to pull myself together knowing that I had to finish undergrad and then apply for pharmacy school. I had began to write out my personal and academic goals and I knew that I had to achieve every one of them. One of my goal’s was to get into pharmacy school, and fortunately I had received multiple offers. At the end, I chose KGI because it was close to home and their faculty and staff were willing to push their students to reach their maximum potential.
Once you decided to pursue a PharmD degree, how did you know that KGI SPHS was the right school for you?
Unlike many other pharmacy schools, KGI creates a pathway for students interested within the field of pharmaceutical industry. KGI also has a certificate program which will enable me to differentiate myself from PharmD. candidates from other schools.
What are you most looking forward to about beginning your PharmD studies at KGI?
I am most looking forward to begin networking, gain insight from faculty and staff, and grow both personally and professionally. I know that the curriculum will be challenging, but I am excited to finally start this journey toward my PharmD degree. All of the hard work and effort I have put in thus far is just the beginning, and I am eager to reach new limits and exceed my potential throughout the next four years.
What setting do you see yourself working in eventually -in industry, community pharmacy, clinical, government agency, etc.? Why does that area of practice appeal to you?
As of right now, I see myself working in either an industry or clinical setting. I would love to work within the industry field because I am very interested in the science behind the making of drugs. As for the clinical setting, I enjoy being part of a team setting where I would be able to work on various cases with a group of health care providers.
You're Invited to Join KGI for our In-Person Visit Day! October 19 | 9 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. PST. REGISTER TODAY.