From Pharmacy Technician to Pharmacist

Noor Dallas Aloffe, Class of 2022

How did the skills you learned as a pharmacy technician translate to pharmacy school?
As a technician for a major retailer, I had to learn how to manage many tasks at once, while being efficient during high volume periods. I also became familiar with brands and generics and began associating medications to disease states. The skills I gained through being a technician not only made learning the top 300 drugs so much easier, but greatly improved how I manage my workflow in school.

What do you enjoy most about the PharmD program at UNTSCP?
My absolute favorite thing about the PharmD program at UNTSCP is the diversity. To be a part of such a diverse student body (AND faculty!!) makes me so happy! Not only do I get to learn from my peers of all different cultural backgrounds, our program is preparing us for the diverse communities we may work in.

Sanjida Hoque, Class of 2021

What led you to choose the UNT System College of Pharmacy?
I chose UNT System College of Pharmacy as my top choice pharmacy school because of its convenient location, its collaborative healthcare approach, and the overall feeling of warmth I received from the faculty and people of this campus. There was excitement, inspiration, and a feeling of belonging on my interview day that still holds true today.

What advice do you have for pharmacy technicians interested in becoming a PharmD?
Although PCAT scores and GPAs are important for pharmacy school admission, they are not the sole determining factors for acceptance into pharmacy school. Your personality, experience, and engagement with the community are areas that can set you apart from others and help you become a favorable applicant. In fact, being a well-rounded applicant will help reassure you and the school that you are able to balance the demands of pharmacy school and life.

What do you enjoy most about the PharmD program at UNTSCP?
I appreciate how our PharmD program emphasizes caring for the patient as a whole and taking their life into consideration when we manage their disease states. Disease states may have similarities among patients, but not all patients are the same. Our program provides examples, experiences, and approaches for managing a variety of patients, and I truly believe it will be valuable for improving health outcomes when we become pharmacists.

Noemie Kanene, Class of 2022

Do you still work in a pharmacy setting? What is the biggest difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy intern trainee? 
I still work at a community pharmacy and the biggest difference between being a tech and intern is the ability to be able to consult patients and use the knowledge you have gained while being school. Another advantage is being able to practice for your OSCEs on the job

What do you enjoy most about the PharmD program at UNTSCP?
I really enjoy all the student programs they have available to all of us and how much the professors truly care about our professional growth.

Tara Magallon, Class of 2021

How did the skills you learned as a pharmacy technician translate to pharmacy school?
The skills I learned as a pharmacy technician were extremely helpful when starting pharmacy school. I was familiar with a lot of the drugs and their indications, as well as important federal laws and the overall workflow of community pharmacy.  But most of all I had experience interacting with patients and other healthcare providers, which can be troublesome for some.

What advice do you have for pharmacy technicians interested in becoming a PharmD?
Tell your pharmacist that you are interested in going to pharmacy school. Ask them questions! A lot of them will be really receptive to your interest and will help you prepare, as well as write a great letter of recommendation for you.

Dorian Maloy, Class of 2022

How did the skills you learned as a pharmacy technician translate to pharmacy school?
The skills I learned as a pharmacy technician were able to benefit me in learning curriculum in pharmacy school more effectively. For certain courses centered around OTC therapy or insurance issues and laws, I was already versed on the subjects due to my background as a technician.

What do you enjoy most about the PharmD program at UNTSCP?
What I enjoy the most about the PharmD program at UNTSCP is that professors are open to students and willing to work with them in any way possible to ensure they succeed. Also, the curriculum involves interprofessional learning with other healthcare professional programs.

Kollin Meyer, Class of 2022

What led you to choose the UNT System College of Pharmacy?
What originally led me to the UNT System College of Pharmacy was just simply how close the program was to my hometown. However, after my interview with the College, I noticed just how genuine the faculty is here and how they prioritize student success over anything else.

Do you still work in a pharmacy setting? What is the biggest difference between a pharmacy technician and a pharmacy intern?
I still currently work in my original pharmacy at a large retailer and have recently been promoted to pharmacy intern. The biggest difference is adjusting to the change in responsibility and trying to transition from student to practitioner. However, working as intern has been very rewarding and I welcome the changes in responsibility.

Lan Nguyen, Class of 2022

What led you to choose the UNT System College of Pharmacy?
The atmosphere and staff were very welcoming. Originally from Houston, I am a city girl and Fort Worth/Dallas gave me the city vibes. Also, the tuition here was very affordable compared to other schools.

What advice do you have for pharmacy technicians interested in becoming a PharmD?
With the pharmacy job market being competitive, definitely maximize your experience during pharmacy school and use all the resources provided by the school, especially career services. Aim for not only good grades but leadership development so it can help in getting a residency, which is highly recommended.

Collins Njoku, Class of 2021

What do you enjoy most about the PharmD program at UNTSCP?
I enjoy learning things that I will use as a pharmacist that I never understood the background before pharmacy school. I like how all our faculty members have experience from different fields of pharmacy.