Skip to main content
2 answers
3
Asked 730 views

My father passed away this Aug 28 2024 me 120 thousand dollars and his pension but i cant receive this money until I'm 18 will this affect my financial aid, right now i have no money and I'm borrowing to survive and also i borrow to bury him. i start college in 2025?

My father passed away this Aug 28 2024 me 120 thousand dollars and his pension but i cant receive this money until I'm 18 will this affect my financial aid, right now i have no money and I'm borrowing to survive and also i borrow to bury him. i start college in 2025

Thank you comment icon Will your 18th birthday come before or after your first day of class? Emmanuel Henson, CFP®, EA
Thank you comment icon First, I am so very sorry to hear about your father. My condolences. Be strong. I think that Michelle M said it well. I would also visit your high school guidance counselor, to see if they have any other advice about your current circumstances. Take care. Stephen Trent

+25 Karma if successful
From: You
To: Friend
Subject: Career question for you

3

2 answers


0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

James Constantine’s Answer

Hello Betty!

Positive and Negative Pharmacy Experiences

Positive Experiences:

Job Stability and Demand: The pharmacy profession has historically offered a stable career path with a consistent demand for pharmacists. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for pharmacists is projected to grow by about 2% from 2021 to 2031, which is slower than average but still indicates a need for pharmacists in various settings.

Diverse Career Opportunities: Pharmacists have the opportunity to work in various environments, including retail pharmacies, hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, and academia. This diversity allows individuals to find a niche that suits their interests and skills.

Patient Interaction: Many pharmacists enjoy the aspect of patient care, providing medication counseling, health screenings, and immunizations. Building relationships with patients can be rewarding as pharmacists play a crucial role in healthcare teams.

Professional Growth: There are opportunities for continuing education and specialization within the field of pharmacy. Pharmacists can pursue certifications in areas such as oncology, geriatrics, or pharmacotherapy, enhancing their expertise and career prospects.

Impact on Public Health: Pharmacists contribute significantly to public health initiatives by promoting medication adherence, conducting health screenings, and providing vaccinations. This role can lead to a sense of fulfillment knowing that they are making a difference in their communities.

Negative Experiences:

Workplace Stress: Many pharmacists report high levels of stress due to workload demands, tight deadlines, and the pressure of ensuring patient safety while managing multiple tasks simultaneously. The fast-paced environment can lead to burnout.

Staffing Shortages: The pharmacy profession faces staffing shortages that can exacerbate stress levels among existing staff members. When pharmacies are understaffed, remaining employees often have to take on additional responsibilities without adequate support.

Customer Interactions: Dealing with difficult patients or customers can be challenging and emotionally draining for pharmacists. Complaints about wait times or misunderstandings regarding prescriptions may lead to confrontational situations.

Administrative Burden: Pharmacists often face significant administrative tasks related to insurance claims processing and regulatory compliance that can detract from their clinical responsibilities and patient interactions.

Job Dissatisfaction Leading to Turnover: Reports indicate that many pharmacists are leaving the profession due to dissatisfaction with working conditions or seeking better work-life balance elsewhere. This trend has been highlighted in various online platforms where former pharmacists share their experiences.

Is It Worth It? Deciding whether pursuing a PharmD degree is worth it depends on individual circumstances and career aspirations:

If you value job stability, diverse opportunities within healthcare, and have an interest in patient care, then pursuing a PharmD could be worthwhile.
However, if you are concerned about workplace stressors such as high-pressure environments or negative interactions with coworkers or patients based on current trends shared online (e.g., YouTube), it may be prudent to explore other healthcare careers that align more closely with your values regarding work-life balance and job satisfaction.

Ultimately, it is essential to weigh both the positive aspects of the pharmacy profession against its challenges while considering your personal goals and preferences before making a decision about pursuing a PharmD degree or exploring alternative career paths in healthcare.

Probability the answer is correct: 95%

Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - Provides comprehensive data on employment projections for various professions including pharmacy-related roles.

American Pharmacists Association (APhA) - Offers insights into the pharmacy profession including trends affecting job satisfaction among pharmacists.

National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) - Focuses on issues facing community pharmacies including staffing challenges and workplace dynamics affecting pharmacist well-being.

God Bless You!
JC.
0
0
Updated
Share a link to this answer
Share a link to this answer

Michelle’s Answer

Hello, Betty !

I am very sorry to know of your recent loss and I am glad that you've reached out to us. Federal Student Financial Aid does have income and asset guidelines so the best thing to do would be to visit the campus of the college you intend to apply to and go to the Financial Aid Office and ask what the Asset guidelines are - in other words, how much do they allow you to have in bank accounts that your name is on. This guideline may change from year to year and even semester to semester, so it is best that a certified official representative for Federal Financial Aid provide this information to you in person at a campus financial aid office and provide you with any printed information so you can keep it to refer to. The Financial Aid officer can also calculate your Financial Need and calculate your Student Aid Index. This is always best done face to face with the staff that are experts in this.

For a sort of preview, I have left the link to this school years' Federal Financial Aid Application (2025-2026 is not ready yet) so that you could possibly (depending on the type of file it is) read the whole application now to see what questions are asked. I don't know if this is still the same, but back in my day, when I first applied, there was some criteria that if you've lived with your parents the previous year, their information had to be put on the application. I didn't qualify my first year, but I was patient and received it my second year. I was also an out of state student. So there are different ways that they assess your need and it's important to become familiar with the most current information which would be at the college you intend to apply to. I have also left a link for the Financial Aid website, but they do not address individuals' specific concerns, so it's best to go in person, on campus.

Do remember that you can apply for scholarships and grants for college, too. If you need information and advice about these, do return here and mention what college you have in mind and what major you intend to have.

So make that visit on campus as soon as you can to have all of your questions answered. The sooner the better so that you won't have to wonder and think about it. I hope that this is helpful and best wishes for all to work out smoothly for you.

Michelle recommends the following next steps:

THE FEDERAL STUDENT AID WEBSITE https://studentaid.gov/
AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT QUESTIONS ARE ON THE FINANCIAL AID FORM - THIS YEARS' APPLICATION https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
0