October 23, 2017 by Stephanie Farid

Being a pharmacy technician is demanding job, but many people are up for the rigor.

There are many people who have jobs that are solely a source of income, but few people who really care about what they do. Those people make the biggest difference in the lives of others.

Maggie Attia is one of those people. She has worked as a pharmacy technician the past year, and says she loves it. It started out as a regular job, just to pay the bills, but soon turned into a passion for helping others.

“I needed a job, and a friend saw a ‘now hiring’ sign at a pharmacy and talked me into applying,” said Attia “I never imagined I would end up loving it as much as I do. I was planning on it being a temporary gig and then moving on.”

Attia was in between jobs when she applied to Bay Life, a private pharmacy she has seen many times but never payed much attention to. After getting the job, she endured onerous training, but she never let it get in her way.

For Attia, there was a specific moment in the beginning of her career that helped her realise she was in the right place.

“I was having a really hard day, but then an elderly woman cam in and my whole day changed. It was her first time being on some new medications and she was really nervous. I told her that I would take care of everything, and she became a little more at ease. Once I sorted everything and explained to her everything she needed to know, she was super grateful,” Attia said “That was a game changer for me, I realised that helping people, even if it’s a small act, is what I live for.”

Towards the beginning of her career, Attia encountered many situations that were similar in nature.

“Lots of people are worried their first time taking a new medication, but I love helping them, or connecting them with a pharmacist who can,” said Attia.

Although Attia loves her job, and enjoys what she does, there are, occasionally some bad days. Like any job, there are typical stressors.

“Sometimes, there are days that I’ll walk into work and there is so much work to do, it becomes overwhelming and I just want to shut down,” said Attia.

Attia, also, mentions her coworkers. Most days are good, however, human error inevitably occurs, which periodically stirs the pot.

“I love everyone that I work with, but sometimes the older ladies kinda bicker. Like one of them will say that another said something she didn’t say, you know little things like that. It’s never really anything serious though, it’s actually kinda funny,” said Attia.

Currently, Attia is in school to become a teacher, another job that proves to help others. She says that working in the pharmacy is something that has helped her with many aspects that teachers, also, deal with. Mainly, it has given her the patience she needs to deal with people under stress. It likewise has helped her realise her passion for wanting to help others.

“Honestly, I know it’s cliche, but if I even help one person a day, I feel better about my own self,” said Attia