This day in MY history

Wow, it’s been twelve years.  This very day twelve years ago I began my path to the career I have now.  I was a sophomore at San Diego State University, looking for a job, and for two weeks had no luck.  I wanted to work in the health field.  I applied at doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals.  Nothing came up.  I still remember it like it was just last week, yet it feels like twelve years ago.  It was a Monday in 1994, the day of the Northridge earthquake, MLK day if memory serves correctly.  I’d applied everywhere the previous two weeks and things were looking bleak.  I did have a job; I worked at the SDSU Love library.  I shelved books that were returned as well as picked books up from the study tables and returned them to their proper shelves. I just wanted a job in a field I was interested in having a career in.  I was a biology major, and wanted to do something with health care.  So anyway, back to MLK day in 1994, my Mom had to go to the pharmacy to pick up a cream for her feet, we went to SAVON because it was right across the street from the podiatrist office.  I was wearing jean overalls, hiking boots, and my hair was in a banana clip, I was by no means presentable. Anyway, I figured I’ll fill out one more application - it couldn’t hurt.   The pharmacy clerk gave it to the pharmacy manager, who was in the break room. I figured I would either get a phone call in a week or so, or not.  My Mom and I started to leave and the clerk called out to me and said the manager wanted to see me in the back.  I was so nervous! I was not expecting an on the spot interview.  So I figured I better walk in with the best attitude and major confidence because I was not dressed for it.  The manager told me he was leaving soon, but liked my application and apparently I had made a good impression because he recommended me to the next manager.  I did have a formal interview with him the following week.  That one I was ready for.  My official hire date was January 27, 1994 a date I’ll never forget.  After some time as a pharmacy clerk, I became a state licensed pharmacy tech.  I enjoyed it so much and the people I worked with were so encouraging that I decided to apply to pharmacy school.  My first pharmacist mentor was Pieter, the manager who hired me (the new manager at the time).  I learned a great deal from him, and though he left before I began the application process I still consider him a great teacher and mentor.  This company has been very good to me over the years, I was able to transfer my position to a store in Iowa while I attended pharmacy school, and I even earned a SAVON scholarship which was a huge financial help during my entire time in pharmacy school.  I’ve been a licensed pharmacist for nearly three years now, and I’ve been a pharmacy manager since November 2004.   I do like being a community pharmacist; what a great day January 27^th is for me.    take care