Like many students navigating career choices in 2019, Obi Echeumuna and Carolina Galvan found out the pathway to their dream careers in Pharmacy would not be so straightforward. While Obi pursues his pre-pharmacy credentials with the goal to one day become a Doctor of Pharmacy, Carolina dedicated herself to certification and licensure to get right into the workforce as a Pharm Tech. Both students are utilizing community college as a springboard to their ultimate destinations.
Carolina, 30, of Lansing, IL, was forced to step out of her state university because of the high cost of tuition. She returned to South Suburban College for the Spring 2019 Semester to pursue her Pharmacy Technician Certificate. Although she has an Illinois state pharmacy license, the renewal process in the state of Illinois requires passing of the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE), and with the progression of the profession requires additional pharmacy technician education.
“I couldn’t afford to continue my education at the university because it was just too expensive,” said Galvan. “SSC has good instructors and great atmosphere, and really everything I need to get out into the workforce as a pharm tech.”
Obi, 23, of Merrillville, IN, earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Indiana University after deciding to shift his career goal from dentist to pharmacist. His road also led through community college when he chose to finish his prerequisites at SSC to save money before applying to the University of Illinois—Chicago’s School of Pharmacy.
“There is no comparison as far as the cost and I would most definitely recommend the community college option to students.” Obi added, “The small class sizes have also been a really nice change from what I was use to at IU.”
Two institutions later, two students with two different goals in Pharmacy are on the road to success because of the agility and affordability of community college.