Born and raised in St. Catharines, Andie Gordon is graduating from Niagara College’s Pharmacy Technician program as the Dean’s Award recipient for the School of Health Sciences with a 92.73 per cent average.
After discovering a passion for pharmacology and the science behind medications, Andie decided to pursue a new career path in healthcare. Through classroom learning, community placements, and hands-on experience in a hospital setting, she developed the knowledge and skills needed to enter the profession.
Today, she is working at the hospital where she completed her placement after successfully passing her licensing examinations. As she prepares celebrates convocation on June 8, Andie looks forward to continuing her career as a a hospital pharmacy technician while exploring the many opportunities available within her field.
What were you doing before attending NC?
Before NC, I graduated with my BscH of Geological Sciences from Queen’s University.
What led you to study at NC and to your program of study?
I drastically changed the trajectory of my career path due to taking pharmacology courses as electives during my time at Queen’s. These were some of my favourite courses and I knew it was something I wanted to be more involved with moving forward as it piqued my interest. Once graduating Queen’s, I remember logging onto my computer and scrolling through the NC program website. Once I saw the Pharmacy Technician program, I knew I had to apply for the upcoming fall.
What interests you in / why are you passionate about your field of study?
I am passionate about my field of study because it plays an important role in helping people feel better, no matter what their needs or circumstances. I am happy to play a part in their road to recovery. I also find medications and their mechanism of actions fascinating. I’ve always loved science and the human body, and being able to work in a field that highlights both feels so surreal. This deep interest and passion for pharmacy is the reason why I did so well in all my courses throughout my program. It made learning so easy.
Do you have a specific career goal in mind when you enrolled in your program. Did it change since you started?
When I first enrolled in my program, I only expected to be working in a community pharmacy setting, but since graduating, I have realized that there are so many different career opportunities I can take. I have yet to really explore these different options as I am still so new to working in this field, but I am glad to know they exist.
How did you find your program experience – any highlights?
My program experience was lovely. After coming from a university setting where class sizes were very large, it was nice coming to classes made up of 25-30 people. It made my learning experience better and allowed me to feel more confident in asking & answering questions. I also had a wonderful group of educators who ran the program and who played a huge role in my growing passion for this career.
Did you work a placement or co-op as part of your program?
I did work in a few community placements, as well as a hospital placement during my program.
Do you feel your NC experience has helped prepare you for the future? (if so, please tell us how)?
I strongly believe that my NC program experience prepared me for my future. They provided me with all of the tools, experience, and scenarios that I may encounter in my career, and I fully believe that this played a large role in me passing my licensing exams and getting hired from my placement
What have you been doing since you completed your studies at NC?
Since completing my studies, I wrote and completed all of my licensing exams and have become a Registered Pharmacy Technician.
What’s next for you?
I am currently working a job in my field. I got hired where I did my hospital placement. I worked as an intern while I waited for the results of my licensing exams and was eventually hired when I passed.
I thoroughly enjoy my role as a hospital pharmacy technician, but I am open to exploring other job opportunities and roles that a pharmacy technician can work.
