In high school, Megan Kucemba developed a strong interest in the sciences, but it wasn’t until she entered college that she discovered pharmacy was right for her. As she researched the different options in health care, she learned that pharmacy aligned perfectly with her passion for research, chemistry and biology.

When did you know you wanted to be a pharmacist?
I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist during my third year of undergrad. While I always knew I wanted to be in health care, it took me a while to decide which health care profession.

What type of pharmacist do you aspire to be?
I aspire to be a pharmacist that treats every patient like family and moves the field forward through clinical programs.

How did you go about deciding what pharmacy school was right for you?
To decide if pharmacy was right for me, I talked to people who were currently working as pharmacists. I also started job shadowing and researching what pharmacy programs included.

Do you have any mentors? How have they helped you grow?
I have had many great mentors. A close family friend growing up was a pharmacist and he always spoke highly of the field. However, before undergrad I was still unsure of what I wanted to do. As I began exploring more, I talked with one of my professors and she helped guide me based on my strengths as a student. From an outsider’s perspective, it was easier to realize what path I should pursue.

What do you love most about pharmacy school?
I love the faculty and the ability to start working with patients early on. From the beginning of pharmacy school, I was able to see the utility of what I was learning.

Are you able to collaborate with your pharmacy peers? How?
Throughout school, I have worked with peers very closely, through student organizations, class projects, volunteer experiences and internships.

What was the best advice someone gave you in high school?
The best advice I was given in high school was to keep my options open as long as possible.

What advice would you give a high schooler, as it pertains to pursuing a career in pharmacy?
There are many opportunities in the field of pharmacy. Start exploring early by job shadowing, talking to students and asking questions to people in positions you think you may like.