First of all, what is it about your relative/neighbor the pharmacist that makes you want to follow him into his profession? Is it the money? The prestige? Do you even know whether this person is happy beign a pharmacist? Have you asked him lately? More importantly, have you ever followed this person through a typical day – or even better, a typical week? Ever asked this person what he likes least about pharamcy, or about how much time he stay at the store and how much time he spends furthering his education by keeping up on the latest research and newest drugs being developed ? Ever asked how long it took him to set up a practice, or how many hours a week he had to work before establishing his practice?

These are revealing questions that may help you explore a career in pharmacy more realistically. Ask them before you romanticize your relative, the pharamcist.