Soham Patel

A small-town pharmacy would completely redirect my academic life.

When I first started working at the pharmacy, I thought that it was just going to be a job to get some extra money. It seemed simple enough, I just had to restock the medicine, count pills, and ring people out.

The more I worked the more curious I got about what goes on behind the counter. I’d watch the pharmacists carefully inspect prescriptions, explain medications, and talk with patients who sought them for guidance. It wasn't just handing out pills to them, it was about trust, responsibility, and making sure people stayed healthy. Their reliability really stuck with me.

At school, I saw my classes in a new way. Chemistry wasn't just about a bunch of formulas anymore, I could actually connect it to some of the medications I saw every day. Math started to feel important for the first time ever because it really mattered when calculating dosages. Even communication skills mattered, as I saw how clearly the pharmacist would communicate with patients.

Over time I realized that this is something that I want to do. Working at the pharmacy showed me how much of a difference pharmacists make in people's lives and made me want to learn more. Instead of just mindlessly doing assignments, I started thinking how this was going to help me prepare for the long collegiate years ahead.

Now, when I look ahead, I see myself as not just a student but as someone working towards becoming a pharmacist. Someone who is reliable.