Sometimes your ideal career doesn\u2019t become clear to you until you\u2019ve started something else.<\/p>\n
This was the case for Peter Santos of Queens Park, who is one the first ten students to graduate from Â鶹ֱ²¥\u2019s graduate entry Master of Pharmacy degree. The course offers students who have completed an undergraduate science degree the chance to fast-track into a pharmacy career.<\/p>\n
Peter said he knew half-way through his undergraduate science degree that it would not get him his ideal job, but he wanted to complete what he had started.<\/p>\n
\u201cI realised I didn\u2019t want to be stuck in a lab, I wanted to help people more directly,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith a graduate entry program into pharmacy, my previous years of study were not wasted. I was able to build upon my knowledge and be in the workplace making a difference to people\u2019s health much sooner than was possible before.<\/p>\n
\u201cCommunity pharmacies are very social. I enjoy working as a team, talking to people, and being able to help people through my knowledge of medications.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel my advice is really appreciated and many people return to the pharmacy to let me know how they are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
During his studies, Peter did work placements at Graylands Hospital Pharmacy and Savemor Pharmacy in Bentley. He is currently working at Terry White Chemists in Claremont.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am looking forward to gaining lots of experience, with the hope of one day owning my own pharmacy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Professor Jeff Hughes, Head of Curtin\u2019s School of Pharmacy, said opening up new pathways to enable students to gain pharmacy qualifications was a great step forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur graduates of the graduate entry Master of Pharmacy degree will be a welcome addition to the WA pharmacy community. They are curious and enjoy the challenge of problem-solving, which are essential attributes of a good pharmacist,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have shown great interest in making the lives of others better and like direct involvement with patient care. I wish them a very successful career as pharmacists.\u201d<\/p>\n