Pharmaceutical Forensics: A brief overview of my experience volunteering at a Pharmacy
It was a tranquil day for your average high school senior, a placid Friday evening after the expected relief from academic activities. However, on this particular Friday I would delve into the workforce for the very first time. During my senior year in high school I participated in a program that prepared students for the Pharmacy Technician exam. One of the requirements of the program was to do an internship at a local pharmacy. I was placed at a Walgreen's not far from my home in Edinburg, Texas. What I experienced taught me way more than I could have hoped to find in a textbook or YouTube video.
For someone who is quite reserved and a little bit of a daydreamer, having to work in “the real world” stressed me out. I was so used to the confines of the walls of academia, the rules and letter grades and superficial competitions. To me school was a game, and I felt like I was at the top of the leader board. To me my class rank could very well be the same thing as being at the top of a popular video game’s standings. I would always wonder though, does being good at this “game” guarantee me success in the real world? I learned very quickly how little I know about work and life.
The experience
At 6 pm on that Friday evening I finally stepped foot into the pharmacy. I was promptly greeted by the Pharmacist whose name was Richard. He was a very calm and amiable person, and he made me feel less on edge (my stomach was taking a turn for the worse). From there I was told my basic responsibilities: I would fill the prescriptions while interacting and working with the Pharmacy Technicians. My very first prescription was a liquid medication, and I promptly began my endeavors by spilling most of the medication! I had no trust in myself or my ability. I felt like a five-year-old kid in an eighteen-year- old body. In a way though I laughed at the situation; deep down I knew that every worthwhile task began with discomfort and insecurity. I worked at this Pharmacy from March up until May and as time went on I became more confident in my abilities. Although being a somewhat timid person, the parts of my personality that really allowed me to work well was my love of competition and pressure. Playing tennis all throughout high-school helped me tremendously. One valuable lesson I learned was to love pressure and the excitement of the moment. At times it would become very busy in the pharmacy and I would have to be able to work under pressure. My experience with these situations made it easier for me to handle.
What I Learned
Working in the Pharmacy taught me that there is more to education than test scores and textbooks. Education is also about experience and being able to apply this knowledge to better our own lives and those of others. What I enjoyed the most about this experience was that I had the opportunity to test my resolve in an actual workplace. I found that with time my communication skills sharpened, and eventually I was able to speak with customers and communicate with them. I will be honest in saying that my interpersonal skills need work, and that my personal insecurities have not completely vanished, but I do believe that experiences like these will continue to help me grow as a person and find self-confidence. I have already finished high-school now, and my former classmates will always consider me to have been one of the smartest in their class. I know however that I have only begun my intellectual journey, and that it will take many more experiences like these to help me realize my full potential.
