Student Voices: Aaliyah Wade

First-year student, Aaliyah Wade, hopes her story will encourage others to embrace uncertainties and find their path

Story by Aaliyah Wade | Published January 28, 2025

Student Voices gives first-person perspectives written by the students of the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy. For this piece, first-year student, Aaliyah Wade, shares how identifying her core values led her to pursue an education in pharmacy.

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned during my time at the UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is to lean not on my own understanding. This truth, rooted in Proverbs 3:5, has guided me through an unexpected yet fulfilling journey. I’ve come to realize that while I may make my plans, it is ultimately the Lord who establishes my steps, as Proverbs 16:9 articulates. 

When I started preparing for my career, I was convinced I would pursue medical school. Throughout my undergraduate years, I focused my energy on becoming a physician. However, during my gap year, I worked as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant at the VA. What I experienced there completely shifted my perspective. Despite the stable position, I felt miserable, burned out, and eager to accelerate my career. The passion I thought I had for medicine began to fade as I worked closely with various health-care professionals. 

The more time I spent at the VA, the more I realized I needed to identify my core values and beliefs to determine which healthcare profession truly suited me. I took a step back and asked myself some difficult, yet necessary, questions: What do I genuinely enjoy doing? What does my ideal career look like? How would I want to be described by others? And most importantly, what do I value the most? 

It was during this time of reflection that pharmacy emerged as my answer. At my job, I observed the pharmacists, and their work truly piqued my interest. They were passionate about what they did, genuinely invested in their patients, and adept at building strong relationships with both physicians and the broader health-care team. I admired their ability to balance work and life while still making a significant impact on their communities. Unlike other professions, pharmacists seemed not only fulfilled, but also joyful in their role. 

My love for understanding how different ingredients interact with the body also aligned perfectly with pharmacy. I have always been fascinated by the science behind formulations and how they can be improved to better serve patients and consumers. This passion for innovation drives me to explore unique treatment plans and provide holistic patient education that integrates realities beyond traditional medicine. Knowing that my work can lead to the development of more effective treatments and improve lives motivates me every day. 

Looking back, I could have never imagined this path for myself. Yet, by trusting where the journey was taking me, I discovered a career perfectly suited to my interests and values. Pharmacy school has further solidified this decision, offering me the opportunity to create a supportive community, network with talented individuals, and become more involved in organizations that align with my aspirations. 

Sharing my story and making an impact in my own unique way has been one of the most rewarding aspects of this experience. 

I am now in a position to inspire others to trust in the process. Life may not always look the way you envision it, but I’ve learned that things often work out better than anticipated. I am grateful to be part of a program that not only nurtures my passion for pharmacy but also provides a platform to grow as an individual and a professional. My hope is that my story will encourage someone else to embrace the uncertainties of their journey and find the path that aligns with their true purpose.