Choosing the pharmacy course : the need for guidance and counseling in preparation for higher education

Abstract

Background: Students sometimes join the pharmacy course without having adequate information on which to base their choice. It is being argued that career guidance professionals should play a major role in helping students make the right choice. This could be an important factor in student retention and satisfaction. Aim: This paper aims to investigate the decisions taken by a cohort of students joining the first year of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Malta. Methodology: The Gordon Personal Profile Inventory was administered to student during the first semester of their first year. A short satisfaction questionnaire was administered to the same cohort during the first semester of the second year. Results: Almost one fourth of the participants said that had they sought professional help they would have probably chosen a different course. Conclusion: Appropriate career guidance and counseling is essential for students to learn how to make informed choices regarding future careers as well as how to deal with issues regarding management of transitions and contingencies.