More Than Just Filling Drugs
Being accepted into the Auburn University Harrison school of Pharmacy is a goal that many undergraduate students at Auburn would like to attain. It’s a difficult task, but for one Auburn student, her dream came true.
Amanda Hibbert, 22, is in her first year of pharmacy school. She started in the fall of 2006 and plans to finish in May 2010. Amanda got her undergrad in animal science/pre-vet in the college of Agriculture.
“I decided to go to pharmacy school because of the goals I had set for myself, I wanted to be a professional, I didn’t want to work behind a desk and I get to surround myself with people all day,� said Hibbert.
Hibbert worked as an intern for Walgreen’s as a pharmacy tech. She filled prescriptions, but said she learned a lot about the business that is pharmacy.
“I went to meetings every other week in Birmingham with pharmacy students from Samford and Auburn, where I got to learn a lot about the corporate side of the business. We also learned about the future of Walgreen’s. They plan on putting clinics in the pharmacy where a registered nurse will work to diagnose common illnesses, like the common cold or sinus infections,� said Hibbert.
Hibbert is also involved in a program called PPE or pharmacy practice experience, which is a hands on learning program. PPE is unique to Auburn University; it is the only school of its kind currently running a program like this, although Hibbert says more and more schools are trying to implement programs like PPE.
“Pharmacy school students from all three years, P1, P2 and P3’s are grouped together and receive a group of patients in and around Lee County. You see your patient once a week, and then you meet with your group and mentors to discuss medication regiments. We bounce ideas off one another and it’s really just a great learning experience,� said the 22-year-old.
Hibbert is also in a pharmacy fraternity. She chose to join in order to meet people and establish relationships within her new school.
“I was in a social sorority during my undergrad years and had a great experience. I met some of my best friends through the sorority and knew that a pharmacy fraternity would be a great way to meet people and learn more about pharmacy in general,� said Hibbert.
Pharmacy students usually stick out like a sore thumb to the rest of Auburn’s campus. The number one way to know that a student is in the pharmacy program is the way they dress. While the rest of us slum around in our jeans and T-shirts pharmacy students are dressed in business casual attire.
“When you’re accepted into the pharmacy school you also accept the standards of professional attire. This means acting professionally and dressing professionally,� said Hibbert.
For those interested in Pharmacy school the application process is online. Hibbert said you must take the PCAT, which is the standardized test to get into the school, you must submit an essay, three letters of recommendation and your transcript.
After Hibbert is done with pharmacy school she plans on working in retail to pay off school loans. Her ultimate professional goal would be teaching pharmacy school.
To hear more of my interview with Amanda Hibbert, please click the link below.
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