An unexpected path to pharmacy
Andy Luc is a final-year PharmD candidate at the Sullivan University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
When people think of pharmacy, many picture someone in a white coat dispensing medications to patients. Before beginning my journey to pharmacy school, I was one of those people. Pharmacy was never a profession I expected to pursue, yet it has become one of the most rewarding decisions I have made.
Reevaluating my future
I graduated from the University of Louisville with a degree in bioengineering while pursuing a pre-medical path. After several medical school application cycles, I found myself reevaluating my future. At the time, I believed that choosing a different health care profession meant changing the impact I could make on patients. What I eventually realized was that the title itself does not determine your ability to improve lives.
My introduction to pharmacy came unexpectedly. While exploring other health care careers, the admissions director at the school I now attend suggested I consider pharmacy. Initially, I was hesitant because my understanding of the profession was limited to community practice. However, I decided to keep an open mind and explore the opportunity. Within a week, I was offered a seat as a PharmD candidate at Sullivan University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences.
Discovering the profession
Today, I am preparing to enter my final year of pharmacy school in an accelerated PharmD program. The experience has completely changed my perspective on the profession. I have discovered the wide range of opportunities available to pharmacists, from ambulatory care and community practice to hospital and specialty settings. More importantly, I have learned how pharmacists directly influence patient outcomes through medication management, clinical decision making, and patient education.
My pharmacy journey has also extended beyond the classroom. As APhA–ASP Chapter president, I have had the opportunity to advocate for the profession while creating opportunities for fellow student pharmacists at our university. Through leadership and service, I have gained a deeper appreciation for the impact pharmacists have on patients, communities, and the health care system as a whole.
Looking back, I would tell my younger self to pursue pharmacy with confidence. What once felt like an unexpected detour became the path that helped me discover where I truly belong. As I prepare for APPE rotations and the next stage of my career, I am excited to continue growing as a student pharmacist and future health care professional.
A message for my fellow students
To anyone questioning their career path or feeling behind because their journey looks different from others, remember that success does not follow a single timeline. The experiences, skills, and lessons you gain along the way are never wasted. Sometimes the path you never planned for becomes the one that leads you exactly where you are meant to be.