November 15, 2019, by Mei Kee Lee

Alumni Testimonial: Wong Sin Yee (2017)

Having the opportunity to graduate from one of the most prestigious universities in the world is one of my proudest achievements in life so far. At this point in my life, I have just completed my last university paper (June 2017), and I have also successfully secured a three-year contract at a fast growing independent chain community pharmacy. I will be working as a community pharmacist upon my completion of pre-registration training in the UK.

Was it hard to secure a pharmacy job in the UK? You might ask. The good news is that almost everyone who applied for a pre-reg position has secured one. Initially it can be challenging and discouraging at the start of the application process when you constantly receive rejections from hospitals and pharmacies that received your CV. However, fret not! The academic staff here at UoN are very helpful and they are always more than willing to guide you through the process. All you need is perseverance and faith in yourself.

Besides, the sensibly designed modules offered by UoN had equipped us with all the basic skills and knowledge we need to thrive in our future career. While the first two years of university impart a thorough foundation knowledge of drugs and diseases, the last two years emphasise more on practical and clinical skills to ensure a post-graduation smooth transition for us. The holistic approach to learning would mould you into a confident, critical and independent individual. During our final year, my colleagues and I were randomly assigned to a group of five to seven students. In these groups, we had to complete several tasks throughout the year ranging from drug designing, peer teaching to operating a simulated pharmacy together. These provided the perfect opportunity for us to work closely with the local students, exchange ideas and apply the clinical knowledge that we have learnt.

And here are some advice from me, seize every opportunity that comes your way to enrich your student life and broaden your horizons! Get yourself a part-time job and get involved in some charity work (volunteer abroad!) There is so much more to explore in the UK and Europe other than your academic studies. My life in the past four years has been a whirlwind but the experience was definitely a fruitful one. And here I am, ready to embark on the next chapter in my journey!

Sin Yee is currently an employee pharmacist in Wellbeing Pharmacy, Alfreton, UK

Posted in AlumniMPharm