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Derya Hopa's path to becoming a pharmacy technician wasn't straightforward. Between working full-time and raising her young daughter, there were countless moments when she wondered if pursuing her education was even possible. But her determination of finding a hybrid educational program that actually fit her complicated life, helped her transform both her career and her family's future.
“Pharmacy was always a career path I wanted to pursue,” shares Derya, her eyes lighting up as she recalls her childhood. Her connection to pharmacy began during childhood health struggles, where she witnessed firsthand the impact healthcare professionals can have on patients’ lives.
“Growing up I had multiple health issues especially during my elementary school years. During those hard days I was suffering in pain, and our pharmacist used to compound medications for me. I saw her helping me and other people in the community, and she became my role-model throughout the years.”
This early experience planted a seed that would eventually grow into a fulfilling career, though the path would be far from easy.
Like many adults, Derya found herself trapped in jobs that paid the bills but left her feeling unfulfilled at the end of each day.
“I was always busy working in jobs that I did not really enjoy, but I had to make a living for my family,” she explains, the frustration still evident in her voice. “Every day felt the same. I’d come home exhausted but not satisfied.”
Everything changed when she became a mother. “I had a completely different mindset after having my daughter. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about me anymore. I decided I needed to choose a path that would make me a good example for her.”
Working full-time as a pharmacy assistant while raising a three-year-old daughter meant Derya’s days were already packed from dawn until well past dusk. The thought of adding school to that mix seemed impossible.
“I wanted my daughter to grow up seeing her mother who has job satisfaction, and was happy,” she reflects. “But I also needed to keep food on the table and be present for her. Most days, I felt like I was barely keeping my head above water already.”
For months, Derya researched programs but kept hitting the same wall with rigid schedules that would force her to choose between her income, her daughter, and her education.
“I was searching every day for a way to make my pharmacy career happen without sacrificing everything else,” she recalls. “Then one day I heard that Robertson College was offering a hybrid program for pharmacy technicians. I remember sitting at my kitchen table after my daughter went to sleep, looking at the program details and feeling, for the first time, like this might actually be possible.”
The program’s flexibility wasn’t just a nice feature, it was the difference between pursuing her education or abandoning it entirely.
“The reason I chose Robertson College was simple: the hybrid option allowed me to keep working full-time without losing my income, and at the same time, I could still be there for my daughter.”
When asked what “flexibility” actually looked like in her daily life, Derya laughs. “It wasn’t glamorous. Most days I was up at 5AM to study for two hours before my daughter woke up. Then after working all day and putting her to bed, I’d be back at my books until midnight or later.”
She recalls one particularly challenging week when her daughter was sick. “I was taking care of her, still had to work, and had a major assignment due. I remember sitting beside her bed while she finally slept, typing my assignment on my phone because I couldn’t leave her side. I submitted it at 2AM and was up again at 6AM for work. There were definitely moments when I questioned if I could keep going.”
The hybrid model meant she could fit education around her life and not the other way around.
“The hybrid program gave me the option to study whenever and wherever I could make it work. Sometimes that meant listening to lectures on my phone during my lunch break or studying flashcards while waiting at the doctor’s office with my daughter. It wasn’t easy, but it was possible.”
When asked about her experience in the program, Derya emphasizes that beyond just flexibility, the education itself was transformative.
“I would describe my learning experience as not just convenient and flexible, but genuinely high quality. After completing the online classes, we had on-campus sessions which brought everything together. Those days were exhausting with arranging childcare, working partial days, then rushing to campus but they were absolutely worth it.”
The combination of experienced instructors and practical training created preparation for her future career that felt authentic.
“Our instructors weren’t just teaching from textbooks. They had years of experience in different types of pharmacies, and they shared real situations, real challenges. Most of the time, we had exercises and role plays that made us feel like we were already working in a real pharmacy.”
She particularly remembers one instructor who made a lasting impact. “She didn’t just teach us procedures but also taught us how to handle difficult situations, how to stay calm under pressure, how to be both efficient and compassionate. Those aren’t things you can learn from a textbook.”
Today, she finds deep satisfaction in her chosen career. “I find my career fulfilling because I know I contribute to the health and well-being of people and help increase their quality of life every day.”
She smiles as she adds, “My daughter is older now, and she tells people, ‘My mom helps people feel better.’ Hearing that makes every exhausted moment worth it.”
She also wants to honor her employer, Lemarchand Dispensary and Compounding Laboratory, who supported her throughout her studies and continues to play an important role in her journey. After graduation, she remains with them as a pharmacy technician.
For those considering following a similar path, especially parents, Derya offers candid advice: “If you’re passionate about healthcare and helping others, becoming a pharmacy technician is incredibly rewarding.”
She emphasizes that Robertson College’s program can work even for those with complicated lives: “Even if you have a busy life as a parent and have to work, it is still possible to achieve your pharmacy career goal with Robertson’s hybrid program. You don’t have to choose between being a good parent and building a career you love.”
Derya’s story isn’t about having it all figured out from the beginning. It’s about finding a way forward even when the path seems impossible. Robertson College’s hybrid Pharmacy Technician program continues to offer this flexibility to students balancing work, family, and education.
If you’re inspired by Derya’s journey and considering a career as a pharmacy technician, Robertson College provides a supportive environment and flexible learning options to help you succeed, no matter what else you’re juggling in life.
Learn More About Robertson College’s Pharmacy Technician Program.
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