Alberts Career Report
1. My Top 15 Jobs
1. Pharmacologist 6. Pharmacist 11. Actuary
2. Physicist 7. Insurance Underwriter 12. Scientist
3. Statistician 8. Biomedical Engineer 13. Market Research Analyst
4. Scientist Insurance Underwriter 9. Research Analyst (financial) 14. Investment Banker
5. Pharmacy Technician 10. Epidemiologist 15. Coroner
2. Top 2 jobs
Top 2 Jobs I am most interested in
1. Pharmacist
2. Actuary
3. Go to the Interviews on the left side menu. Click on Likes and Dislikes and report on 2 likes and 2 dislikes from each
interview. (See top right of interview page.) Report in point form below. Include your own likes and dislikes
Pharmacist
Likes Dislikes
1. The interviews likes 1. The interviews dislikes
- Challenges: constantly thinking about outside- - Mistakes: mistakes are rare, but can serious repercussions
of-the-box solutions for patients since they effect the health of other people
- Rewarding job: lots of thank yous, great - Constant noise like: fan, printer, telephone, cash register,
knowing you are making a different in someone crying children
elses life 2. The interviews dislikes
2. The interviews likes - Having to work every other weekend; its essential to be
- Enjoys helping patients live healthier lives and available for the public even on weekends
improving the quality of their lives - Helping people navigate through the changes in health
- Opportunity to learn new news from patients care every year; changes in policies and coverage are
3. Own likes informed to public
- Everyday is different: constantly evolving 3. Own dislikes
challenges; never bored - High stress: the constant need to be 100% accurate with
- Being able to incorporate biology, medicine medicine puts high pressure on the pharmacist
and chemistry in one job altogether - Having to keep constantly update with new medical
discovers: 15 hours a year of outside courses that
pharmacists may have to pay for themselves
Actuary
Likes Dislikes
1. The interviews likes 1. The interviews dislikes
- Using knowledge gained from university; is a math - Clients expect to be treated as your number one
grad and really enjoyed math priority, but it is tough when ten other clients also
- Enjoys also working other than math such as have the same expectations
communication: talking to clients, writing reports, - Be expected to work on weekends and long nights
helping people to make decisions 2. The interviews dislikes
2. The interviews likes - After 4 years, actuaries are required to spend at least
- The pay is good the next 3 years to become a fully qualified actuary
- Freedom: find the best solution in a way that he - Exams are quite difficult and needs a lot of time
thinks is best; no teacher is going to grade or commitment
determine how he does things 3. Own dislikes
3. Own likes - Entry level actuarial job market is getting super
- Meeting with interesting people: CEOs and competitive, so there will be very stiff competition
presidents of companies, helping them make for entry level jobs
decisions and learn from how they operate - Having so much responsibility on your shoulders
- Ive always enjoyed mathematics and I think I would may cause stress as: companys may depend on you
enjoy getting to work with mathematics for most of for financial success
day
4. In the interview section, there are many gems or insights each interviewee has shared. For each of the questions below,
give some great advice or information.
Career #1: Pharmacist
a) Can you tell me about your background and how you got into this field?
I decided to become a pharmacist after long deliberation with my family and friends. I did a lot of career research and
matched my wants and needs with the pros and cons of each career that I was interested in pursuing, including veterinarian
and dentist. I talked to people in each field about their job and that helped me decide to become a pharmacist. (For example,
because the sight of blood made me queasy, I learned that dentistry was not my ideal career choice.)
To put myself through school for my pharmacy degree, I worked in a provincial laboratory and for a drug manufacturer.
While working for the drug manufacturer, I formulated vitamins and herbal supplements. I also have a masters degree in
pharmacy and am currently working on my PhD. I enjoy investigating medical issues that affect the health care system,
including what anti-inflammatory drugs best treat arthritis. I also do drug policy research.
b) What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your job?
Pharmacists should be committed to life-long learning and receptive to change. Because the job of a pharmacist relies
heavily on customer service, its important to have good communication skills, patience, and compassion. Pharmacists have to
multitask. You have to concentrate on filling an order to exacting standards, answer the phone, and talk to patients.
c) What other jobs could you do with the skills you have gained in this field?
Pharmacists can go into many other jobs in the medical profession. Pharmacy is the base of medical treatment; therefore, we
are required to study the diseases and health systems those medicines effect. Some possible jobs in the medical field include
laboratory technician, researcher, public health worker, nurse, or any position that deals directly with patient care. Pharmacists
are also trained to work in retail fields and in customer service.
d) Are there many opportunities in your field? What should people do to get started?
Because seniors are the fastest growing segment of Canadas population, there will continue to be many opportunities for
pharmacists. Canadian pharmacists need to complete a degree from an accredited university and complete a pharmacy
internship. The length of internship varies from province to province. Pharmacists also need to apply to a provincial licensing
body for accreditation and a licence. Once you complete these milestones, the job market for qualified pharmacists is wide
open.
Career #2: Actuary
a) Can you tell me about your background and how you got into this field?
For the first 13 years of my life, I lived in Kenya. My family then moved to Canada, where I went to high school. Since I had
always found math easy, after high school I decided to enrol in the bachelor of mathematics program at university. I first
specialized in accounting but found that it was not for me, so I switched over to actuarial science.
When I graduated, I applied for five jobs. Luckily, one of the companies that I applied to decided to hire me.
b) What personal characteristics are required for someone to be successful in your job?
Actuaries must be able to think clearly and logically. Logical thinking helps solve problems, particularly mathematical
problems. They must also be hard-working and dedicated. They have to write a number of exams before they become fully
qualified. Each exam requires actuaries to read and carefully study about 1,000 pages of material. To make it though this exam
marathon, they must have a tremendous amount of stamina.
Actuaries must also have good communication skills. Like any other business, we have to deal with many different people. If
you are working at an insurance company, as I do, you have to talk to underwriters (people who decide if the insurance
company will insure a person or group of people), the claims department (people who issue cheques to insurance policy
holders who have registered a claim), and other actuaries who could help you solve difficult problems.
c) What other jobs could you do with the skills you have gained in this field?
Actuaries make good professors or researchers in the areas of math, statistics, or bio-statistics. With their expertise in
statistics, they could also work as statisticians, analyzing population data for Statistics Canada or public opinion polls for an
upcoming election. They could also work as financial advisors, especially in the area of personal financial consulting (helping
people plan for their retirement).
d) Are there many opportunities in your field? What should people do to get started?
There are many opportunities, but only for those who are hard-working and dedicated. Writing the actuarial exams is a large
time commitment and usually takes 2 to 3 years, after obtaining a 4-year degree from a university.
Also, doing well in your university courses is very important. If you get good marks, you will get a job immediately. I expect
the demand for actuaries to remain high. As well, there is strong demand from the US. A lot of the people I studied with have
ended up in places like Chicago and California.
5. Go to Education on the left side menu. This will take A LOT OF TIME TO RESEARCH & it is important to see the
options available to you.
Now, glance through the titles of the Programs and click on the one that sounds most interesting. Read about the content of
several programs, the length of time to complete, the cost, and decide whether or not the program might be the right fit for
you. Here you might decide to choose between two schools and report on both. Include the school information above in this
section. Repeat this for your second career option.
Career 1: Pharmacist Career 2: Actuary
Pharmacy Program Bachelor of Commer
Mailing Address Mailing Address
University of British Columbia - Vancouver University of British Columbia - Vancouver
2329 West Mall 2329 West Mall
Vancouver, Bc Vancouver, Bc
V6T 1Z4 V6T 1Z4
Contact Details Contact Details
Main Phone Number (604) 822-2211 Main Phone Number (604) 822-2211
Main Email http://www.askme.ubc.ca Main Email http://www.askme.ubc.ca
Website http://www.ubc.ca Website http://www.ubc.ca
Description Description
The Doctor of Pharmacy degree is based on the The UBC Bachelor of Commerce gives a broad range of
business basics and management skills that allow an
understanding of medications, their uses and
actuary to thrive. With a diverse array of course
interactions, as well as patient-centred care. Students in offerings, students of this program will develop the skills
this program will learn about pharmacy practice, and confidence needed to become leaders in the
therapeutics, pharmacology, pharmacy management, business world.
drug safety, and the Canadian health-care system in
classroom and practice-lab settings. This 4 year program allows room for developing critical
thinking, creative problem solving, communication,
This program is very competitive and only 224 spots are organization and leadership. This course includes
available each year. A minimum average of 80% is application of statistics in business and other general
required in order to be considered competitive. Students skills that are required for becoming an actuary.
are required to complete 46 weeks of experiential
learning as well, which includes practicum rotations in a The Bachelor of Commerce programs also helps
variety of pharmacy practice settings across BC. students discover their passions and build their careers,
diversify their skills and challenge themselves, connect
with the world, and make new friends and network.
To obtain a doctors degree in pharmacy, you must go
through the 4 year program. While there is neither a co- Additionally, this program is also quite competitive, only
op option or any honours options, pharmacy graduates high school graduates with an average of 84% or higher
easily find careers in community pharmacies. to be considered for admission.
Credential Credential
Doctors Degree in Pharmacy Bachelors in Commerce
Length Length
4 Years 4 Years
6a) Pharmacist: Pharmacy Program What did you find interesting about this program?
I found this program interesting because its what Ive wanted to study ever since I was young. As I child I always wanted to
grow up and become a doctor, or anything related to medicine. Why? Ive always admired how doctors are always being the
hero helping others out. So, I found the pharmacy program interesting as becoming a pharmacist is very similar to being a
doctor- helping others and possibly making a big difference in their lives.
6b) Actuary: Bachelor of Commerce (statistics) What did you find interesting about this program?
I found this program interesting because besides my passion in helping others out, I also find myself often intrigued with
doing math. Not only do I enjoy learning it, but finding the solutions to long and difficult questions is also very rewarding and
I find it very fun. So, as an actuary, although not all of your job is based on mathematics, I believe this career would still be
very interesting for me. Mathematics is one of my passions and I would take this opportunity to have a career that I am truly
passionate about.
7. Grade 11 and 12 courses I will need to take
Career 1: Pharmacist
Grade 11 Grade 12
Biology Chemistry
Chemistry English
English Calculus
Calculus Cell Biology
Biochemistry Organic Chemistry
Microbiology Humanities or Social Sciences
Career 2: Actuary
Grade 11 Grade 12
English English 12
Second Language Pre-Calculus 12
Pre-Calculus 11 Or Foundations of Mathematics 12
Approved Socials Studies Course 2 Other Approved Grade 12 Courses
Approved Science 11 Course
8. Final Reflection. Answer these questions underneath each question. Format neatly. Your response should be longer and
deeper than this.
What did I find interesting in this assignment?
I found this assignment very interesting because it gave me a list of jobs that suited my personality, interests and skills. While
I had a general idea of what I wanted to be when I grow up, it is still vague. However, through this assignment I understand
better about what I should do when I grow up. I also realized that preparing for my future is very important and I should spend
more time looking into my possible future careers.
What did I learn doing this assignment?
Not only did I have a better idea of what jobs suited me, but I also learned more about what universities expect from you if
apply for a program. It also gave me more insight into what programs and courses I should take in order to pursue my passion
and career in pharmacy or commerce. This assignment was great for giving me an introduction about my future and what real
life in the world is really like. Overall, this assignment helped me to become more prepared for my future.
What programs will I possibly want to take? (This is a summary of your research)
After delving into the programs for becoming and actuary and a pharmacist, I find that both programs are on my list as
possibilities for my future. While the pharmacy program allows me to follow my childhood dream of helping my community
and others around me, the Bachelor of Commerce at UBC is also high on my list as I believe it prepares me to face the
financial world after university. So, both programs are in consideration for me! I found that the Bachelor of Commerce is a
program that is more flexible and builds a foundation of skills for a variety of business careers. On the other hand, the
pharmacy program of UBC is specialized for becoming a pharmacists, even teaching you the aspects of running a pharmacy.
However, I found that the pharmacy program is more competitive and also a very stressful one whereas the Bachelor of
Commerce is easier to get in and seems more flexible.
What did I like and dislike about the programs?
The fact that both programs can be taken in Vancouver is something I really like about the Bachelor of Commerce and
Pharmacy Program. After finishing university I hope to start off my career and individual life in Vancouver, close to family
and friends. Both programs are very interesting and I would love to become either a pharmacist or an actuary. The only thing
that I dislike about the programs is that both programs are competitive and take at least 4 years to complete as I would like to
join a company as soon as I can. Also, these programs may be very stressful and difficult.
