Is 23 years too old?

[pharm7212]

Hi,

I am going to be starting a masters in Pharmacy degree next year at the age of 23. I will be around 27 years old when i graduate and 28 years old when i finish my pre-reg year. Is 23 years too old to start a degree in pharmacy?

Also, would it be more difficult for me in finding a job in a pharmacy, in comparison, to younger pharmacy graduates.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[johnep]

Not at all, we had a student aged 31 in my year. Main problem for most people is that they have encumbrances in the shape of family etc. If you are single, no problem. In the old days, most students started at age 20 because of National Service or two year apprenticeship.
johnep

[laurabuk]

As above. I just graduated with at least three students who were the other side of 30 by the time they had graduated; and all have found prereg jobs no problem. Also, assuming you haven't been sitting around at home for the past 6 years then you will have some good life experience which can make your application for summer placements and prereg stronger.

[crit care]

agree with above posts...23 is not old at all...i knew of people in their 30s starting out in pharmacy....plus it means you have some life experience..but you may haveto relive your teens if you want to fit in with all the other freshers.....late nights and early starts!!!

[culchie82]

My advice is do something else, you're still young. Many people (especially bright eyed graduates) have some sort of romantic notion as to what Pharmacy involves, the harsh reality comes as bit of a shock (especially in community). I'm telling you this for your own good, because believe me if you do go down this route, you'll be on here in 5 years time with same gripes as me.

[shan]

If it helps, I came to this country when I was 33 and enrolled in OSPAP. I never had any problems so far, as I was determined to acheive this position. Today I am a very happy, high earning newly qualified Pharmacist. My wife was pregnant while I was midway through my OSPAP and my first child was born when I had just started my prereg. SO trust god, be determined and work hard. You will be a happy pharmacist too.

Shan

[culchie82]

If it helps, I came to this country when I was 33 and enrolled in OSPAP. I never had any problems so far, as I was determined to acheive this position. Today I am a very happy, high earning newly qualified Pharmacist. My wife was pregnant while I was midway through my OSPAP and my first child was born when I had just started my prereg. SO trust god, be determined and work hard. You will be a happy pharmacist too.

Shan

Christ Shan, you're living in cloud cuckoo land - Try and paint a more realistic picture and stop pretending everything is sweetness and light in the job. I'll tell you what community Pharmacy boils down to now in Britain, poor staffing levels, risk of prosecution, unrealistic expectations and targets, ignorants f**ktards of customers, etc etc
Any young Pharmacist I've talked to in community the general consensus is "hate job, want out, don't know what to do though".

[crit care]

culchie82 have you ever stopped to think that there are people out there who may enjoy their jobs...?

yes it maybe could be better, but its what you make of it at the end of the day!

[Fleegle]

Easy on Culchie..Shan is happy where he is. I wish we all were. I'm still in Ireland where as you know things are changing fairly drastically. I'm sitting where I am at the moment, with a guaranteed job. Not many others in my position just now.Sometimes you just have to take the hit and get on with it, and wait until things improve, which I like to think invariably do. This is the second time in my life I've experienced a recession. I remember paying 13.8% interest on my mortgage in Edinburgh in 1988. At least things aren't at that stage yet.

Fleeg.

[culchie82]

In a word no.
If you can work in the pressure cooker environment that community is nowadays, and enjoy daily confrontations with the public then there's something wrong psychologically ( on the other hand you may be just devoid of emotions completely.)
Maybe I would have a different opinion, if I had a nicy cosy, public sector job like your good self with a nice lunch, and a few tea breaks (and not an addict in site.)