What is Pharmaceutical Research like?

Hi! My name is Melanie, and I am in high school. I am searching for someone working in Pharmaceutical Research to conduct an interview for a Foundations in Health Science class project on researching prospective careers.

I have created questions (below), so please answer them all to be part of my project! :)

1. What is your field of pharmaceutical research, and why did you choose to pursue it?

2. Were there specific moments you realized you wanted to study pharmacy (in general) or your specialized field of study?

3. How many years of college did you need to complete? Please list all degrees earned/ still in progress, majors, and school attended.

4. How did you decide whether earning a Ph.D. in this field was worth it?

5. Did you have to pivot and go back to school at a later date?

6. What jobs did you work before you landed your present professional job?
Did they help prepare you for your career now?

7. Did you ever shadow or intern under another professional in the field?

8. Did you ever join any school clubs that helped build skills for your current profession?

9. Were there any particular subjects you struggled with during your school years?

10. What skill sets did you learn or gain while pursuing your career?

11. What is your work environment (ex: company or academic), and how would you rate the stress level of it?

12. Do you find your profession fulfilling? (in terms of work-life balance, weekly work hours, income, interest/ mental stimulation, etc.)

13. What other passions/ likes you have outside of your profession have you been able to incorporate into your job? (ex: socioeconomic equity, teaching others, discovering new things, etc.)