Mid-Career Reflection

Introduction

Pharmacist was not my lifelong dream, but it has been my career for the past decade.

• Initially, it was an exciting adventure filled with new learning experiences and professional growth. I believe I could excel in this field.
• Over the years, I have worked hard to keep up with the ever-changing medical field.
• However, reflecting on my journey, I realise that enjoying life and nurturing relationships are far more precious than achieving great career heights.
• Moreover, knowledge can be likened to a vast ocean, endlessly swept by waves of new information.

There are not that many people whose names will be remembered by future generations.

• However, the crucial questions we must answer in life is: Upon leaving this world, will we be missed? Are there any regrets about things we wish we had done differently?

NOTE: Importantly, different stages of life and individuals may have distinct priorities that bring them joy and fulfillment. During their teenage years, young people often prioritize friendships and adventurous experiences.

Embracing the Artifical Intelligence Era

As a member of Generation Y, I have witnessed the gradual adoption of the internet by the public and the pivotal role smartphones have assumed in our lives, evolving from simple phone calls to messaging, shopping, and navigation.

Since the emergence of AI chatbots in 2023, we have seen increasingly sophisticated developments and a growing number of companies entering this competitive field, despite ongoing debates.

• To avoid becoming obsolete in this rapidly advancing world, we have no choice but to embrace the new era of artificial intelligence.
• These AI chatbots are constantly updated with real-time information and capable of answering complex questions with sound reasoning, potentially rendering traditional medical textbooks obsolete in the future.
• Moreover, the radical speed at which AI can create artwork and generate creative images within minutes could easily revolutionize, and even replace, traditional methods of designing commercial posters and anime production, which traditionally involves countless meticulous hand-drawn frames. This shift raises questions about the future role of human artists, potentially transitioning them from creators to curators, guiding AI's output and adding the crucial human touch of emotional depth and unique artistic vision.

Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals must prepare to interact with customers who are increasingly "well-informed", often with limited context, not necessarily through formal qualifications, but through information obtained from AI chatbots.

• Future generations may be deeply accustomed to the information disseminated by these tools, placing complete trust in their outputs.
• Addressing and correcting misinformation will be a significant challenge.
• More importantly, we must showcase the value of the skills and practical experience we have cultivated over years, demonstrating their importance beyond simply reading an article.
• While the role of common disease diagnosis management by protocols and laboratory markers can be easily overtaken by AI, the sophisticated, insightful gut instinct gained from experience, and the creative ideas needed for managing unique cases, remain irreplaceable.
• Nonetheless, increased health literacy will lead to greater public involvement in self-care management, a prominent trend in contemporary healthcare.

The absolute answers presented by artificial intelligence are left to be challenged, much like how we once questioned established ideas of the past.

• Our current understanding of the world remains a mere drop in the vast ocean of knowledge, and how far we can see is restricted by what we know today.
• A spark of genuine creativity can easily revamp the whole landscape of technology's final destination, leading to the next revolution, as evidenced by the accumulated, slow but steady evolution of technology throughout history.

Human Politics

Politics is inherent to human society.

• Instead of connecting through communication, people often shut down dialogue and express unhappiness behind closed doors.
• While some view this as a way to build relationships, others see it as a means of releasing stress, and some simply enjoy gossiping.
• Nonetheless, this unhealthy culture fosters an environment where individuals prioritize self-preservation and choose not to voice their disagreements.

Management may strategically foster competition among colleagues with the aim of enhancing work quality and driving performance.

• However, this can backfire, resulting in office politics and a decline in employee morale.
• Furthermore, inconsistent and discriminatory micromanagement, a form of abuse of power, further demotivates employees.

The Bottom Neck

After several years in a monotonous role, the job inevitably devolves into a dull routine: work, go home, repeat.

• While the pursuit of new knowledge is initially exciting, it often exposes our own inadequacies, which we gradually come to accept as part of ourselves.
• The stressful reality that everything requires money forces us to confront the limitations of our current salary trajectory and professional development, casting a shadow over the future.
• We seem to be endlessly chasing ambition and fleeting goals, yet we remain hopelessly adrift, with the map to success and financial freedom remaining a distant dream.

For example, community pharmacists may aspire to own their pharmacy, but what lies beyond that?

• Perhaps a few more stores?
• However, despite leading a larger team, which presents new challenges, the fundamental work remains largely the same.
• At some point, the ambition fades, and the desire for a less stressful life takes precedence.

This pattern is common across many professions: the initial excitement of a new role gradually gives way to another day of routine.

• Ironically, it is this same boredom that often traps us within our comfort zones.

The Easy Way Out

A common phenomenon in career progression is the accumulation of responsibilities.

• As you advance in a role, you often inherit a multitude of tasks, many of which are seemingly simple but incredibly tedious.
• These can range from ensuring adequate medication stocks, monitoring short expiry medications, providing patient counselling to managing office stationery.
• Furthermore, your responsibilities may extend far beyond your initial job description, often encompassing tasks that were previously delegated to others or simply overlooked.
• This disparity becomes particularly pronounced when we observe that underperforming colleagues often have significantly fewer responsibilities than high-achieving individuals like ourselves.

Honestly, given the choice, many of us would gravitate towards higher-paying roles with fewer responsibilities.

• We may exhibit a natural reluctance to take on additional responsibilities or face challenging decisions, including those associated with leadership roles.

NOTE: Certainly, there are individuals who thrive in leadership roles, relishing the opportunity to make important decisions and embrace challenges as part of their daily routine.

Summary

Quitting my current job and pursuing a new career path would require immense courage and a strong adventurous spirit.

• As I am no longer young, I face the fear of competing with younger, more energetic individuals.
• This fear is further compounded by existing commitments and the need to maintain a certain quality of life, which requires a steady income.
• The thought of losing my current career and risking everything feels like gambling on an unknown outcome, potentially leading to a worse situation.

Change can often be frightening due to the uncertainty it brings and the potential for an overwhelming workload required to adapt to the new challenges.