It’s not every day that a student in the middle of finishing a master’s degree suddenly quits to start another career path from scratch, but that’s exactly what San Jacinto College pharmacy technology alumnae Meredith Fugitt did.

“I was literally halfway done completing my master’s degree in psychology when I decided that it wasn’t the right decision for me,” said Fugitt. “Pharmacy school had always interested me, so I looked up the San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program and knew it would be a great place to start.”

“San Jacinto College solidified my desire for a career as a pharmacist.”

Beginning classes in the Fall of 2011, she was able to catch on quickly to the material, but not without a learning curve on time management. “I definitely had no pharmacy experience whatsoever before entering the program,” she said. “I personally appreciated the challenge of being bombarded with all of this new information, because I love challenges. It was very difficult working full time and going to school, so you have to know when to study and how to study.”

As far as being prepared for her internships and clinicals, Fugitt said she felt more than prepared for the real-world pharmacy settings. “I knew all the drugs, brands, generics, how to fill and how to create the labels. I was completely confident and prepared. This pharmacy program absolutely prepares you for everything you need to begin a career in the pharmacy industry. The trainings and practicals we do in the classroom are exactly the way it is in real pharmacy environments. Both of my clinical jobs offered me positions, so this program has been nothing but a benefit.”

Despite receiving job offers before graduating from the program last August, Fugitt was also offered a position as a supplemental instructor (SI) for the San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program, which she immediately accepted. “I wanted to give back because the pharmacy technology program is an excellent program, and I wanted to help other students as much as I could,” she said. For Fugitt, one of the most rewarding things about her SI experience was having the students she tutored pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) exam. “It’s a great feeling to know that I was a part of their success,” she added. “I encouraged them to keep pursuing a career in pharmacy, and was able to give helpful advice for applying to pharmacy school. I’m proud that almost all of them are now beginning their clinical rotations to complete the program.”

This Fall, Fugitt will enter the University of Houston’s College of Pharmacy program with plans to study psychiatric pharmacy, saying that it combines her previous psychology background with her new pharmacy career path. She has also accepted a position as a pharmacy technician at a local CVS/pharmacy, noting that completing the San Jacinto College pharmacy program and her experience as an SI gave her an advantage when applying for pharmacy schools.

“San Jacinto College solidified my desire for a career as a pharmacist,” said Fugitt. “The pharmacy technician program gave me confidence and prepared me for pharmacy school interviews. My time as a student and tutor gave me an advantage over other pharmacy school candidates that have not had as much education on the subject. I’m also really excited about the position as a pharmacy technician at CVS, because two of the students I tutored are employed there as well. I can’t wait to see how well the pharmacy technician program has prepared them for a work environment firsthand.”

The San Jacinto College pharmacy technology program is accredited by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), provides students with the skills and knowledge to qualify for entry-level positions in pharmacies, and prepares them for the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) in order to apply for registration with the Texas State Board of Pharmacy (TSBP). Within the Gulf Coast Region, there are an estimated 401 job openings per year, with certified pharmacy technicians earning an average of $15 – 19 per hour (about $30,000 – $37,000 annually).

For more information on admission requirements to the San Jacinto College pharmacy technician program, visit: www.sanjac.edu/pharmacy-technology.

Andrea Vasquez