OVERACHIEVED IN MY LC AND NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MY LIFE??!1

idk4y

I'm stuck between pharmacy and computer science. Yes I'm aware they are two very different career paths.

Just completed my LC this June after having prepped myself I wouldn't manage to get the points for Pharmacy, especially towards the last few months, and internally I was settled for Computer Science. Despite this, I somehow achieved the points for Pharmacy and pretty much every other course out there!

It was such a shock to the system I've decided to take a year out, to work and mull over my options, precisely because they are two very different career paths. I've done a lot of research into both career paths and here are some of my observations:

I've always looked into getting into health science, even at the beginning of my fifth year I was settled on medicine, but quickly got over it, as I realised I'd value work-life balance over excess money any day. Pharmacy appealed to me a lot, as LC chemistry was my strongest subject and so I'd definitely find the course more manageable over others, and it lead to a job with manageable working hours and good pay. From my research on indeed.ie, with a few years of experience you could easily work 32-hour weeks with a salary of over 75k euros which is incredible, at least to me currently on minimum wage lol.

Now for my interest in computer science: I actually have no experience in it whatsoever. It wasn't a subject offered at my school. I did higher level maths, which was a mixed experience for me. I really enjoyed and breezed through statistics/probability/sequences&series/financial maths easily, while geometry and anything with shapes was a nightmare. I also struggled with physics to a point I dropped it mid way through fifth year because I found it impossible... In maths got a H1 in the end, but we had an obscene amount of choice on our maths papers this year so idk if that's telling of my math ability or if I just got lucky. I consider myself a creative person, I like the idea of creating things which pharmacy wouldn't really satisfy the itch for. There is also a huge variety of work available once you graduate. Salaries seem to start off lower but also have MUCH more room for improvement compared to pharmacy, especially in multinationals.

Overall, it seems like much more of a gamble as a choice than pharmacy. I have a feeling the material would either click and I'd be class with my ceiling being the sky, or I'd trudge my way through school and cling onto any mediocre job I could find in the end. It definitely seems like a route you have to be naturally talented at to truly get anywhere (eg FAANG), and I'm scared I'm not based off of how obscenely bad I was at LC physics which made me decide I would never go down a normal engineering route (even though CS is a bit different). While I found the other parts of maths and chemistry to be a breeze, so I must be capable of some form of logic, but idk whether its suited to computer science. Though the maths modules in TCD for example look really interesting and I'd put in the work needed. I just hate the idea of going down a route that's inherently against me and how my brain works, and the idea of not being good enough no matter how hard you try.

All the pros and cons of each are so different it's hard to make a comparison and a final decision. Pharmacy seems more secure, as a licensed profession. The hours also seem nice, as I'd like to pursue my other hobbies outside of work hours too. The course content seems interesting, and I know it'd be manageable based on my strengths in school. But the day to day job seems more monotonous though I don't think I'd mind a shop environment (hospitals creep me out and I hate the idea of working in a lab so I'm fine with retail). I think I would even prefer a fast-paced shop work environment, where I don't have to see the same faces or deal with the same people like I would in an office. But I'd also love the idea of working remotely like in a tech job, but again I hate the idea of going to a tech office in person and dealing with corporate BS and office politics BS or even sexism (I'm a girl and based off my research the tech bro environment is hostile to women)

I'd also like to work abroad and computer science definitely seems more transferrable, I've heard of horror stories in the US of saturation in the pharmacy field... not that I'd want to live in the US, I'm thinking more canada or australia (which don't seem much better in that regard).

so to summarise,,

Pharmacy PROS:

• Hours
• Salary
• Secure path
• No office politics/environment
• Course more doable though not as engaging

CONS:

• Unfulfilling work
• Saturated job market abroad
• Dealing with the public
• Not as open path to career growth

CS PROS:

• Meaningful/interesting work
• Career growth opportunities
• Engaging material (though potentially difficult)
• Salary
• WFH

CONS:

• Potentially too difficult to thrive or even work in
• Corporate environment (and smaller companies/start ups sound even worse)
• Ageism down the line
• Unstable (having to move from company to company constantly)
• Sexism (idk how relevant that is to Ireland)

I'm aware I've brought up a lot of unrelated points on each path but I'm lost and I hate that IDK where to go next. I'd appreciate anyone giving me advice or insight, especially from those with experience in either field. If I've got anything wrong on any point feel free to correct me too.

nothing

My advice would be to look into 1 year level 5 courses in both areas, and try them out. It's a much cheaper option than discovering you hate something 2+ years into a level 8, as you only get 1 shot of free fees.

I'd also say that you're not in any rush to have your whole life figured out, take the time to try things out while you can.

endacl

Jeez. You’re still a teenager. That’s far too much thinking. Do a plc in something you may or may not be interested in and take a year off from pressure. Take the time to take a breath.

Larbre34

Get a Trade.

Carpentry or joinery or plumbing or plastering or electrician.

You'll never be out of work or bored or inactive and the money is really good when you're qualified.

idk4y

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119752670#Comment_119752670

I’m already taking a year out, but I’m working and saving money because I’d like to move to Dublin. Tbh I don’t see how a PLC would help, I’ve already narrowed down my options and I’m at a loss of choosing between them, not really about what to do in general…

idk4y

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119752682#Comment_119752682

That wasn’t really what I was asking but thanks for the input.

Count Dracula

Give yourself as many options as possible. You are remarkably balanced and your attitude will benefit everyone you encounter.

Study what you enjoy and live your life through things that enthuse you. Don't waste your time with things you are not enjoying.

Whatever you decide, do it for good reasons. I would avoid being career focussed before finishing your studies.

Your gap year is a brilliant idea, providing you are satisfied with your LC. Have a plan for this year and I would advise travelling and learning a new language.

A year in Japan would be amazing. Learning how their technology is influencing the computer age whilst attempting their language would be a great challenge which you would enjoy.

Good luck.

cunavalos

Remember a practising Pharmacist is only one possible role for graduates of a Pharmacy degree. The percentage of Pharmacy graduates that enter the pharmaceutical industry in a wide variety of roles is growing all the time. Seeing as you mentioned computer science as an alternative if that is a passion or an interest there are pathways to implement computer science within the pharmaceutical environment e.g. AI, bioinformatics, data analysis.

o1s1n

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119752682#Comment_119752682

My dad is a painter and decorator and after 30 years of it, it's really taken a toll on him physically. And that's one of the lighter trades.

The OP has an amazing opportunity to work in a non manually focussed career and shouldn't turn it down.

cuttingtimber22

Head off to Australia. Get a manual job and enjoy your year.

Then go for the course which you are most interested in without over thinking it - passion for something is far better then going for what might be the “on paper” choice.

There are so many opportunities for further education once you have a good primary degree and no one is really tied down to a specific career choice.

Stheno

I'm almost 50 and have over 25 years experience working in IT.

I have never encountered ageism tbh.

I was recently job hunting and in the apace of four weeks had four separate offers

I have always found the work to be very diverse and interesting roo

Kurooi

Well, I can tell you few kids go into pharmacology because they are passionate about taking drugs. CS on the contrary will have individuals who have been meddling with programming and all sorts of wacky tech just for the joy of it, or at least they know they are wired for it. Idk, personal opinion if somebody doesn't have an interest in it before college, don't do it. That would be my opinion.

I will disagree with some of your pros & cons. Pharma pros : every job that has more than 1 person will have politics. Pharma Cons: Why would that be unfulfilling? You're looking after people's lives. Maybe you're not literally restarting their heart but your work matters. Dealing with the public - well maybe explore options around this, not all jobs will. I have some friends who finished pharma/biology related degrees and work in cushy pfizer research centres, manufacturing, offices, what have you. CS pros: Meaningful, I think most graduates would disagree. It will become very detailed and very menial, you debug, test for months, waste time at meetings. And engaging material... I firmly believe no college degree worth its salt is all that fun or engaging. Not constantly. Eventually you get into the detail, and the chore and memorizing. That's what learning is embrace it.

the_amazing_raisin

Okay I can't really comment on pharmacy, but I am a software engineer so I'll chuck in my two cents there

First of all, congratulations on the results. You've achieved a great thing already and you have the freedom now to choose your own path.

I think taking a year out is a great idea, it's rare in life you'll get a chance to do something like that, particularly when you're young and don't have family to consider. I'd recommend doing some traveling if you can, it's something I wish I'd done around that age

Don't go too far off the rails however, remember you still need a career at the end of this. It's true that money doesn't buy happiness, but it can buy an easy life if you have enough of it. That might sound a bit mercenary, but at the end of this you'll be selling your labour to someone, so you might as well ensure you're getting a decent wage and not in some soul crushing hell hole of a job

Okay, so my experience is that how much you enjoy your job depends a lot on your bosses, your coworkers and the company you work for

Working for multinational companies with teams spread across the globe will require some flexibility on hours, which can be grating, particularly as you get older if you have kids

Having said that, I'm currently in a team that's entirely based in Ireland so it's very 9-5 hours. The boss has said he doesn't want to be there after 5 and doesn't expect anyone to hang around if they're not needed

There will obviously be peak times when you might need to work in the evening, but those are hopefully rare and if your employer is taking the p1ss then you at least have transferrable skills you can bring elsewhere

You don't HAVE to change jobs every few years in software, I'm on my 3rd job since college, so far I've lasted about 5 years in each company before deciding to move on. I know plenty of people who are happy where they are and don't plan to change jobs.

You might end up getting bored and wanting a change of scenery, which can happen in any job.

I'm not sure ageism is as big a deal as it's made out to be in software. There was an attitude about 20-30 years ago that all software engineers were fresh out of college nerds, but then they all grew older and are now in their 40s and upwards

There is a natural progression in engineering that people tend to either move to the architect/design side or into leadership roles like team manager or project manager. This is part of the reason why you don't see a huge number of older software engineers changing jobs, they've moved onto different career paths.

It isn't for everyone though and you can stay as an engineer your whole career if you want

Since I'm from the gender which is usually dealing the sexism rather than on the receiving end, I'm not sure I can comment properly on it. I think unfortunately it's something which can be in any job, assholes are universal after all.

I have unfortunately seen one colleague talking down to another quite often, and I suspect he felt that he could do so because the person he was talking down to was a woman. I think he was quietly told where to shove his opinions because he seemed to back off after a while

So I guess sexism can happen, although it doesn't seem pervasive, at least to the degree it probably was 20 years ago

Regarding natural talen for the job what I'll say is that you don't necessarily need talent so much as interest. Software problems can be both incredibly interesting and extremely frustrating to solve, and you need a sort of drive to trawl through pages of logfile looking for obscure errors and trying to figure out what all of that means

One thing you can do in the short term would be to do some basic introduction to programming courses on LinkedIn or something. Get yourself started into programming and you can see if it's something that interests you. If you have a laptop I'd recommend setting up a virtual machine running Linux and start playing around with creating a basic webserver or something

At least it should give you an idea if it's worth pursuing

I might also have a "middle ground" idea which could suit you. You could consider chemical engineering or something like that, with a view to getting into pharmaceuticals?

It's quite rewarding to work in a job that helps people, and while some pharmaceutical companies have a shady reputation, everyone I've ever met who works there seems to take pride in their jobs and is genuinely committed to the idea of helping people

My wife works for a pharmaceutical company and the work is sometimes a bit tough. Not exactly that it's complex, but it requires a lot of attention to detail and a focus on quality.

The stakes are a bit higher after all. If I mess up in my job then someone's webpage doesn't load quickly, if my wife screws up then a bunch of people might end up dead

Not trying to put you off, but if you're the kind of person who is very detail oriented then it might be worth considering

Still stihl waters 3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119752682#Comment_119752682

Men in trades have a shorter life span, more musculoskeletal problems, lung problems due to dust and suffer a far wider range of health ailments than an office worker, not to mention job instability and mental health problems that go with worrying about being out of work.

I wouldn't be advising anyone that got enough points to be a pharmacist to pick up a hawk and trowel and go plastering, good as that advice may be to some young lad unsure of what to do with his life I think op has it more or less worked out with plenty options available to him

Former Former Former

@op, I stumbled into pharmacy over 20 years ago due to not really knowing what I wanted to do.

Really enjoyed the degree but I haven't worked in a shop in a long, long time. Loads of job opportunities beyond standing behind a counter for those who want them.

But FYI, the actual degree course is very demanding. If you're looking to cruise through college, I assure you pharmacy isn't for you.

Honestly, I think you need to do what you think you'll like doing. Looking for a cushy number at your age isn't a long term plan.

Markus Antonius

After 10+ years of professional life, you are spot on with the pros and cons lists. My one requirement for a job was not to have to deal with the public and everyday I praise the babe jesus that I don't have to interact with them.

I wouldn't take the salaries on indeed very seriously, I personally think they are overexaggerated most of the time.

Padre_Pio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119752958#Comment_119752958

Never really seen ageism in engineering. There is a fear of becoming specialised to the point of uselessness but that can be easy to avoid.

So long as you maintain a broad range of skills you're employable no matter your age.

You have corporate/office environment in your cons. Don't forget you can become your own boss easily enough in either profession.

BingCrosbee

Lucky you. You’re only a teenager, remember. I’m in my mid sixties and I was fortunate to have had a lovely non stressful job in a lovely company. I spent my life doing various courses and it stood to me. I am in good health, TG but I see guys my age who worked hard in physical jobs and they are in poor physical shape now. I feel for them and so you should thank your lucky stars that your options of a lovely career are unlimited. Think of those earning the minimum wage with no chance of picking up the sort of job you have access to.

Healy92

Have you been interested in computers/programing or some of the various aspects of computer science in the past? My friend who went down this route spent a portion of his spare time programing for fun.

Have you had experience of working in a pharmacy? Could you see yourself working in this environment? Though it pays well, many pharmacists are frustrated with the lack of career progression and challenge on a daily basis.

A small but growing number of pharmacists work in the pharmaceutical industry in ireland in Quality Assurance/Regulatory/medicial affairs. Im a pharmacist and i work in a remote job in QA.

Faith

This is almost certainly no help to you, but I was recently party to a conversation between a dentist in their 40s and a med student, where the dentist asked the med student "Did you consider pharmacy? I can see now that's the way to go. Several of my colleagues retrained in pharmacy and are really happy". It wasn't a helpful conversation for the 22 year old med student, but it was interesting to hear.

Go shadow some people and get a feel for their jobs. Start with a standard pharmacist, then try and find people in industry. Do the same with computer scientists. Spend a day or 2 shadowing as many people as you can, asking all you can think about their jobs and experiences. You'll get a much better feel for it than this abstract thinking. You'd be amazed how accommodating people will be too, and they'll link you in with people they know, so don't worry about people saying no to being shadowed. Some people might have to make arrangements with their companies, but even if they'd just sit down and have a coffee with you and talk about their jobs, you'd be flying.

RossGeller

Another area to look into would be Actuarial Maths. You got a H1 in the Leaving so you're able for it. Very high paying job with a good work live balance. Quantitative Finance would be another option, although I'm not sure about the work/life balance.

Keep in mind that Computer Science has the highest dropout rate of any degree. It requires an entirely different way of thinking compared to secondary school. A good idea is to look at www.w3schools.com and look at their Python and Java courses (all free). If you find it interesting then maybe it could be for you.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119752744#Comment_119752744

I think you aren't factoring in the most important thing - will you actually like the work.

You are going to be in a course with people who have developed whole systems with thousands of users that all major banks depend on to operate when they were 8 years old (I'm exaggerating but not much). Don't be put off by this though.

IT is not like like most careers - you either love it or hate it. Accountancy for example would be similar, but not quite as extreme. Unless you mean "working in IT" as chatting to the marketing people all day.

I'd advise you to do a few courses on somewhere like Udemy in the three topics below:

• Python - for programming
• HTML and CSS - for designing web pages
• Computer Networking - for setting up networks etc

I wouldn't advise you to shadow someone, except perhaps a networking person, as you won't learn very much and on average programmers tend to be socially awkward and will see you as a distraction as coding takes a lot of focus. You should be excited by one or more of the courses above - in the same way you would be learning an instrument you always wanted to learn.

They are three quite different IT topics. You will very quickly realise whether you actually want to do this for the rest of your life.

Also you can go into management etc with a primary IT qualification. However if you don't like IT you will be in for a miserable 4 years and most likely drop out.

The fact that you got a H1 in maths is a good omen - strong mathematical and logical thinking are a big part of it.

I know nothing about pharmacy but it looks as boring as hell to me - but does look like a predictable job with good pay and conditions - whereas coding might have reasonable pay, the conditions are often not great and even the pay is being challenged by offshoring. You can't offshore a pharmacy, or computer networking for that matter.

You are in a fantastic position - the world is your oyster. Good luck !

EDIT: This is pretty good and accurate : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1fc0FlCjyI

10-10-20

I'll add that data science is a small and growing industry with very good salaries and having the skill-set of the maths coupled with an analytical brain is a key component.

You would probably aim to complete CS and then get time in general industry and then complete a data science course when the time is right - things are changing rapidly in that sector, you don't want the qualification to age.

Community pharmacy certainly isn't the dependable stalwart which it used to be, it has been stripped away by successive governments and while the locum rates are high now, you can't depend on them lasting.

Good luck anyway in your decision.

spurious

Whichever you pick, make sure you enjoy it.

It is soul destroying to be in a career you no longer love, no matter what it pays.

Actually liking the area you want to go into would be a necessity for me.

Furze99

Whatever you do, DON'T type in CAPITALS!!

joe40

With strong maths and chemistry why not consider something like accountancy, it will be well paid with definite career path, due to the professional exams.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to give good advice on pharmacy or CS but I do feel you're limiting your options a bit, just focussing on those two. It is great that you have choice and your work for the LC paid off.

Exciting times, enjoy it and best of luck in whatever you decide.

idk4y

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119763978#Comment_119763978

Sorry 🥲 I feel like I’m currently heading into a quarter life crisis, also not in a good mental state. Working for the year while everyone I know has gone off to college and is living life, it’s quite depressing !!!

idk4y

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119763912#Comment_119763912

can you expand on the pharmacy situation? The pharmacy subreddit is… bleak, to say the least, but that’s mainly from an American perspective and they have a messed up health/corporation/etc system in general so I didn’t give it much thought. On indeed/glassdoor there doesn’t seem to be a lack of positions in Dublin at least, lowest salaries around €60,000 with plenty managerial/senior positions advertising the six figures in retail anyways. Hospital seems lower but I’m not interested in that myself.

idk4y

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119763837#Comment_119763837

Thank you so much for the sound advice and course recommendations! I’ll definitely check out Udemy—- looking forward to a new side project!

amacca

Probably not helpful, I find it unusual you got on so well at maths and chemistry but struggled at physics.

The level of mathematics in LC Physics doesn't go much beyond rearranging a formula and if you can grasp Chemistry so well it's puzzling to me to say the least.

Just a thought but have you considered doing some personality and intelligence/aptitude testing to see what they say you might be suited for?....proper in depth ones seem to help some people find a direction...and the fact that you have achieved so highly in areas like maths and chemistry but something like geometry and physics seems to be difficult might point to being particularly talented in one area along with being generally high achieving..or a blind spot that could be remedied and open up other directions....you might be overthinking your strengths and weaknesses based on knee jerk reaction ....maybe most things click straight away and just because you don't immediately get something you assume you are not talented in an area but perhaps you are incorrect...only a thought.

If you knew the area it might lend itself to a career direction particularly suited to you or point to the types of jobs you should avoid

Then again I could as some people say be talking through my proverbial........in my own case I'm high on the maths side of things but I enjoy constructing stuff....if that's a business or a paragraph in a speech or and old motorcycle or the kids lego set that's fulfilling for me..........and I sort of do it in various jobs now

idk4y

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119763751#Comment_119763751

Thanks for the link! I looked into actuarial and the maths in it does seem to align with the chapter I was stronger at in school— however, I’m intimidated. I’ve been warned that even maths geniuses who could easily get a H1 in maths in their sleep find the course/career path challenging!