Hot Tip -- by Warren Werle

How does that old Monks tune go? "I've got drugs in my pocket and I don't know what to do with them...." The answer is simple. Take them to your local pharmacist. Pharmacies will always take in your old, outdated medications for proper disposal (you shouldn't throw them out or flush them). Anyway....

If you are a science buff and you love biology, chemistry, physiology, and anatomy -- and you easily pay special attention to details and perform your work with precision -- the pharmacy business might just be for you. Good grades seem to be an essential element to getting accepted into the only post-secondary pharmacist program in Alberta and the competition is heavy. One good source says about one in seven applicants are accepted.

Be prepared to write an essay explaining why you want to get into this type of work, and you'll need a full year of "pre-professional study" before concentrating on the four years of courses required to become a pharmacist. Once you get there, the workload is heavy. One pharmacist recommends not skipping class and studying in groups.

In addition to doing well in the sciences "people skills" are very important. Most pharmacists work in retail (about 80 per cent or so) and the rest work in hospitals, do research, work for drug companies, etc. Honing up on your customer service skills is a must. Shift work isn't uncommon and it can be stressful, one mistake could literally be fatal. It wouldn't be such a bad idea to get some part-time work in a pharmacy -- which might mean stocking shelves. From this you'll get a feel for the business and you'll make some connections at the same time.

The way health care will be provided is changing, and pharmacists will be called upon to help patients with more than prescription information. They likely will soon be dealing with broader health issues. Best of all, there is large demand for pharmacists that is expected to continue for a few years to come.

(Warren Werle is a career counsellor at the Calgary Youth Employment Centre.)