Pharmacist Personal Statement

Growing up as a Type One Diabetic, I was very familiar with doctors and medications. I was used to routine doctor visits and experienced first hand the different forms of treatment available. This personal experience strongly influenced my fascination with different medications and how they work. As a teenager I would read the patient information packets and try to understand the mechanisms involved. I’m certain that this contributed to my interest in healthcare and science and led me to become a Biochemistry and Pre-Pharmacy major. It also led me to seek a job at a local pharmacy while in high school. I have been fortunate enough to work alongside pharmacists since the age of eighteen. I was able to see how pharmacists help patients understand their medications and
assist them on the path of recovery. I also saw how accessible pharmacists were to their patients and the general community. I was immediately drawn to the idea of having daily interactions with patients in a way that would be intellectually challenging and allow me to use my knowledge to help others. Because of this valuable experience, I knew that becoming a pharmacist was the right path for me.

My main goal as a pharmacist would be to enable people to live healthier lives.
I want to work one-on-one with patients on their medications and make sure that they are taking full advantage of their treatment. I also want to provide a caring environment, as opposed to a culture that emphasizes sales first. One day I hope to be able to own an independent pharmacy similar to the one I currently work at. I feel this would be extremely fulfilling and provide the best opportunity to work with patients to improve their short-term and
long-term.

To ensure my future success in pharmacy, I have strived to grow my teamwork, organizational and leadership abilities. From the start of my college career, I have been involved with the Chemistry and Pre-Pharmacy Clubs. In my junior and senior years I was elected as an officer of both clubs and was responsible for; running meetings, coordinating events centered on chemistry and pharmacy, scheduling events with faculty, answering student’s questions about classes and giving presentations to students interested in the field of pharmaceuticals. I also became involved in Student Senate to further my leadership skills and advocate for students on campus. My senior year, I was elected as the Vice President of Student Senate. Through these experiences, I feel that I have developed the confidence and skills that are necessary to be an effective leader.

I’ve learned that knowledge and credibility are important traits of a pharmacist. During my junior and senior years I had the opportunity to expand my own knowledge and experience by conducting analytical research with Dr. Jeanne Franz. My research focused on pharmaceuticals in wastewater treatment plants and their effects on the environment. Through this opportunity I was able to further my critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as my knowledge of analytical chemistry and green chemistry. I was also able to see the impact that pharmaceuticals can have on the environment when not properly disposed. It’s my belief that this experience will make me a better pharmacist.

Positively impacting my community through volunteering is important to me.
I have done so by serving the needs of others in church, school and organizations in the community where my family lives. By participating in events like the ELCA National Youth Gathering, I have been a positive role model for my friends and peers. Volunteering has increased my capacity for caring and compassion toward others and helped me understand that a simple smile can change somebody’s day. I feel strongly that pharmacists are in a position to positively influence the communities they serve and I’m hopeful that my years of volunteering experience will serve me well in that
capacity.

Being a pharmacist has its share of challenges as healthcare continues to advance and change. I am ready to take on those challenges and be one of the strong leaders and voices that help to drive the profession forward. My experiences have shown that when doctors and pharmacists work together the outcome can be life altering. The patient-centered focus of health care and the role that pharmacists play in improving their patients’ lives as well as improving the community as a whole is what motivates me each day towards a career in pharmacy.