College Degree? Check! Now Let the Real Learning Begin.

College Degree? Check! Now Let the Real Learning Begin.

My advanced degree (a PharmD) did not prepare me well to succeed in today’s world.

I had such great professors who loved their job and taught very well. I loved college and am grateful for what I did learn! Yes, my university education gave me a particular, valuable pool of knowledge. What it didn’t teach me was how to use that knowledge.

I don’t think this is unique to a particular institution. I think this is on par with other advanced degrees in healthcare.

What I was taught overlaying the critical didactic information was:

  • To succeed, you need even more letters after your name
  • How to be an employee
  • How to follow orders
  • How to follow rules

I think it is important to share with bright, eager students that they can think outside the box. I would have particularly loved to see examples of others with my degree doing amazing things.

My profession is changing quickly. Most of healthcare is along for the ride. To adapt to the future and be relevant, we need a new set of skills vastly different from those we have seen in traditional practice.

I am eagerly searching out those skills for myself. I love learning from online courses, books, and mentors who are a few steps ahead of me.

I’ve learned more valuable real-life skills through my own self-study in the past 2 years (for a fraction of the price) than I learned in total from my doctorate degree.

Some examples of what I’ve been studying recently:

  • Essential business principles about how to start and run a business
  • How to effectively collaborate and support other professionals
  • How to create a presence online
  • How to think outside the box
  • How to sell

For me, my college degree wasn’t the finish line to my education but the starter pistol.

Jamie

*If you enjoyed this article and are a pharmacist and looking for some real-life skills of your own, I'm happy to share what I've learned and how 275+ pharmacists are re-inventing their careers across the country. Check out my white paper on the topic!

Kelly McLean, PharmD

Market Access + Medical Educator + Entrepreneur + Precision Medicine + Servant Leader + Start Ups + Seeking opportunities impacting Drug Safety

2 年

Truth! Thank you for your post!

Johnnie Kemp, RPh

Business/Personal Development Coach | Pharmacist | NCSC@NeuroChangeSolutions | Changing organizations from the inside out

2 年

Great article Jamie! I am right there with you!

Kay Ockey

Centsei Co-Founder | Systematize Your Finances

2 年

College degree is just the beginning!

Neshe' Conley, MPH, CHES?

Black Maternal Mental Health Reformer | Public Health Strategist | Founder, Ebony Women Health Corps | CHES? & Health Equity Advocate

2 年

I love this Jamie Wilkey! Many people don't realize that once you have that degree the next step is to use what you learned in real-life situations.

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