How can I become a research pharmacist?

Pharmacist or Doctor?

• Hello, i am currently a freshman in college, and i am looking towards these two professions as a possible career. I want to work in the healthcare industry, and it seems like being a doctor is the top of the chain with this. I am interested in the drug development/research aspect of becoming a pharmacist, or the clinical aspect where i interact with patients, not the retail side. If i want to become a doctor, education will be a few years longer, but salary will be considerably higher. If i want to become a pharmacist, education will be shorter, but salary also smaller, but still like (120k!) Is 120k like enough to be uber rich? like smacking doughs!!? Thank you! Please if you are in either professions, describe your experiences and jobs.

• Answer:

  My personal bias would say become a pharmacist (I'm a pharmacy student)! However, I would shadow both a decentralized clinical pharmacist (does rounds with doctors and makes drug recommendations) and a general physician to help make a decision. I would not rule out retail just yet--independent or compounding are two fun areas of community pharmacy. In independent pharmacy, you have more patient interaction and are able to develop relationships more than in other fields. :) One suggestion is to not get into it for the money alone--the coursework required for both careers is grueling (although, being able to have a job almost immediately after graduating is a huge plus). You have to want it for the patients to get through it, in my opinion. Hope this helps and good luck in choosing a major!