PHS Senior Explores Career In Pharmacy At Buderer Drug

Senior Gavin Bohn recently had the opportunity to explore one of his potential career interests firsthand through a semester-long field experience at Buderer Drug, a pharmacy in downtown Sandusky. This experience provided him with valuable insights into the world of pharmacy and helped shape his future academic and career goals.

Reflecting on the purpose of the visits, Gavin shared that he wanted to learn more about pharmacy as it was one of two possible career paths he was considering for college. “The main goal was to see everything that they do, whether that was seeing consults, the administration side of being a pharmacist, and patient interaction,” he explained.

One of the moments that stood out most during the visit was witnessing a patient consultation. Gavin noted that seeing this interaction was eye-opening, as it revealed a side of pharmacy he hadn’t fully considered before. “It was something that I generally didn’t see that side of pharmacy before,” he said, recognizing the consult as a key learning moment.

Beyond observing consultations, Gavin felt the visit deepened his overall understanding of the profession. “I was able to see how they interact with people and those around them. I was able to see how they handled certain situations, and seeing all of this will definitely stick with me in the future,” he reflected.

Unlike some students who face obstacles during job shadowing experiences, Gavin found his visit to be smooth and informative. “I would say that there were really no challenges with my field experience because Caleb was very good at showing me everything and explaining it,” he said. Even technical tasks like insurance billing were made clear through Caleb’s guidance.

The visit also included exposure to the broader team at Buderer Drug. Gavin had the opportunity to observe other pharmacists in action, ask them questions, and even step into the lab where medications are made. “All of this was great to see, and it helped expand my knowledge of what they do,” he said.

Drawing connections between his coursework and the field experience, Gavin appreciated how his background helped him make sense of what he was observing. “There were some of those moments because of the medical terminology class that I took last year and my ethics class this year,” he said. These classes gave him context and clarity as he encountered real-world applications of medical terms and ethical decision-making in pharmacy.

The experience also helped solidify Gavin’s future plans. “This experience has definitely shaped my future academics because I will be attending the University of Findlay to study pharmacy” he shared. “This experience has allowed me to see this career and help me make a decision on what I may want to do for the rest of my life.”

Caleb Balduff commended the Academy Experience program as well.  “It was a pleasure to have Gavin shadow at Buderer Drug. We are happy we could show him a side of pharmacy that most students don't ever get to experience. The program offered by Perkins is one that we fully support. Allowing young adults to get a firsthand glance at future professions is a fantastic idea. We wish Gavin nothing but success in all his endeavors at Findlay next year.”

Gavin encourages other students to pursue field visits that align with their genuine interests. “If your friends are going to a different experience, and it is something that you don’t like, but you go with them so you are not left out, is not the right thing,” he advised. “Do not waste this opportunity as it can help shape your future. Make the most of this by going to different businesses and seeing different professions. You will know when you find the one that you like and think that you would like to do for the rest of your life.”

Ultimately, Gavin’s experience at Buderer Drug highlights the importance of hands-on learning and exploration when it comes to career decisions. By taking the initiative to shadow a professional in the field, he gained valuable knowledge and clarity about his future path in pharmacy.