An ancient Chinese proverb says, "If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody." This saying is comparable to what each one of us chooses to do in our everyday lives. While others might choose transient happiness--an hour, a day or a year--, I choose an inveterate path of service to others. This reason coupled with my devotedness to the field of science accounts for my career choice in pharmacy.

The scientific aspect of this choice was elicited by my fondness of being able to concoct methods of achieving a particular goal. For instance, I was prohibited by my elders to use fireworks when I was young. Since I have a curious mind, I researched the basic elements of fireworks. And from there, I employed everyday objects such as a box of matches and an aluminum foil to imitate these basic elements. I can still remember my astonishment as I struck the match, mimicking a simple firework.

As a Filipino immigrant coming to the U.S., education opportunities in the form of AP chemistry greater enthused my interest in science. The simple match and aluminum foil experiment that originated from my childhood advanced into a small-scale experiment. At last! I was able to transform a simple compound, barium chloride, into magnificent green sparks.

During these years of high school, I also indulged myself in an advanced psychology class. I became fascinated with the human mind. Psychology answered the most intriguing questions I had about certain aspects of humanity. I had one dilemma: it did not sufficiently give me what I am craving for in research and science. I reflected upon this and thought that pharmacy synchronizes with psychology as pharmacists are proficient at medication counseling for psychiatric patients. Being able to choose pharmacy allowed me to indulge in science as well as psychology.

On that occasion, I was also able to experience my very first pharmacist job shadowing. I was filled with awe as the pharmacist explained the varying sections of our local CVS pharmacy. Her passion in the field of pharmacy reverberated as she carefully described every single detail of her job. I knew then that I want to become a pharmacist.

The other part I admire about pharmacy is being able to provide service to other people. My altruistic attitude commenced while participating in medical missions back in the Philippines. We went to several impoverished areas providing basic medical care to the indigenous Filipinos. After given care, these people would share with us the little food they have as an act of gratitude. Most importantly, the smiles of relief and appreciation melted our hearts. This is the same goal that I have in life. I want to be able to help other people especially those who are underserved with medical care. This goes hand in hand with my desire to improve the lives of billions of people in the world by engaging in research, allowing constant improvements in the field of medicine.

Just recently, I job shadowed a pharmacist that exemplified who I want to be as a pharmacist. She handled conversations with her patients the way a mother would care for her young. She showed me how being a pharmacist goes beyond giving medication to those who are in need. Being a pharmacist is a case of building personal relationships to people as simple as needing a monthly inhaler to someone with a debilitating sickness.

It is my highest ambition to further my education in pharmacy. I hope that my aspirations for "happiness of a lifetime" will come with my devotions in the field of science and my passion of giving service to others.