From Retail Burnout to a Career in Pharma
How Alex Landed a Senior Diabetes Care Role After 11 Years in Retail!
“I didn’t hate my job—but I knew I couldn’t keep going the way I was.”
– Alex Godin, PharmD
– Alex Godin, PharmD
The Challenge: Retail Fatigue and a Career That No Longer Fit
After more than a decade in retail, Alex knew something had to change.
The long hours, constant urgency, and lack of flexibility were taking a toll—not only on his professional energy, but on his ability to show up fully for his family.
“I had two young kids, and a demanding job that didn’t allow for even basic flexibility. It wasn’t sustainable.”
Like many pharmacists, Alex wasn’t entirely sure what options existed outside of traditional settings.
He spent months applying on job boards when he had time—but received no traction and little feedback.
“I’d apply to three or four jobs in a window of free time, hear nothing back, lose hope, then repeat the cycle. I wasn’t even applying effectively—I didn’t have structure or direction.”
The Turning Point: Investing in Expert Support
Skeptical but curious, Alex joined Pharmacy Career Coach.
He quickly realized what he’d been missing wasn’t just a better résumé—it was a proven system, accountability, and someone who understood the pharmacist job market from the inside out.
“I finally had someone in my corner. Someone reviewing my résumé, helping with LinkedIn, showing me how to build a real job search strategy, and preparing me for what to say when I actually got interviews.”
- Together with his coach, Alex:
- Identified alternative roles that aligned with his interests and clinical strengths
- Repositioned his retail experience into a marketable, strategic asset
Gained clarity, confidence, and structure in a job search that had previously felt aimless
The Outcome: A Role in Pharma That Aligns With His Goals
Alex accepted a position as a Senior Diabetes Care Specialist—a role he had been interested in for quite some time but hadn’t felt qualified to pursue.
In this field-based industry role, he educates healthcare professionals on diabetes therapies and builds provider relationships—leveraging his deep background with diabetic patients, now in a non-dispensing, pharma-facing capacity.
“It’s a completely different side of pharmacy—but one that still allows me to make a meaningful impact. And the work-life balance is night and day compared to where I was before.”
What Changed
✅ Left retail after 11 years
✅ Transitioned into a field-based pharma role
✅ Improved work-life balance with schedule flexibility
✅ Joined a company that invests in growth and professional development
✅ Rebuilt confidence to compete for roles he previously ruled out
Alex’s Advice to Fellow Pharmacists:
“The job search is a skill set. If you want to land a competitive, non-traditional role, you need to treat it like learning any other complex skill—coaching, structure, and support make all the difference.”
On cost:
“It felt like a big investment at first. But looking back, it was just the cost of stepping into a better chapter of my career.”
On time:
“Between my job and my kids, I didn’t think I had time. But the structure of the program forced me to make time—and I’m glad I did.”
Ready to Explore a Career in Pharma?
If you're a pharmacist who feels stuck, burnt out, or unsure how to break into a more fulfilling role in the pharmaceutical industry…
Let’s explore what’s next—together.
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