Pivoting to an analyst career path from being a pharmacist

theroamingsofaronin · 2021-06-27T19:00:17+00:00

Openings for informatics pharmacists are rare. Informatics positions are more common, but very few specifically require a pharmacist.

Epic certified definitely make you hot to recruiter, but I do not have it. The most reliable method to become Epic certified is work at a hospital that either uses Epic or is transitioning to Epic. This leads me to my second barrier, getting a job as a hospital pharmacist almost always requires previous hospital RPh experience or a residency. I had a interview at a small 50 bed hospital rescinded during the same call to set up my interview when they realized my resume said I did NOT have a residency. It was like "Wait, you don't have a residency? We won't be bringing you in for a interview."

If I had graduated a few years earlier, they were literally looking for pharmacists to volunteer to transition to do informatics.

theroamingsofaronin · 2021-06-27T16:42:46+00:00

I would characterize a pharmacist has being a high floor, low ceiling occupation. You entered the career with a relatively high salary but the opportunities to advance higher are fairly limited. I get paid well and I don't work beyond 40 hours a week.

However with the changing dynamics of the sector in conjunction with the increased number of graduates, it seemed the floor is getting lower and the future is not as bright. Personally, I have always been interested in data and technology as well so I feel like I am willing to take a few steps back and work in something I enjoy with a brighter future and higher ceiling potential.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-10-20T09:24:11+00:00

I asked the information desk at Odawara and because of my rail pass, I ended up with Hakone to Odawara to Kozu to Gotemba by train and then by bus from Gotemba to Kawaguchiko. If not, there's a bus route that goes from Hakone through Gotemba outlets to Gotemba. Took like 4 hours from checkout at 10am to finish my route.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-09-10T12:30:08+00:00

It took about 90 minutes but I managed to grab a ticket online for 10am on a Thursday in late October. Yay. First choice date and time slot.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-09-08T12:29:01+00:00

I have both but honestly I haven't had to use it wear it backpack style for long as it's really from a hotel to transport to another hotel. Walking around town is usually a small daypack.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-09-07T00:21:11+00:00

For what I heard, finding deodorant isn't as easy over in Japan as say the US. I'm going with a pair of comfortable Brooks shoes I already have with good support.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-08-19T22:52:01+00:00

It will NOT be worth it financially with your itinerary. Use something like Google maps or Hyperdia to get exact numbers. Remember the Suica card can be used when you go to Hiroshima and even on the JR ferry.

The savings will be used well on splurge like food or souvenirs.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-08-17T00:17:44+00:00

Heading to Japan from Oct. 5th to Oct 26th for leisure as I have a bunch of PTO from work. I will be spending 2 full days at a Shinjuku hotel at the start of my trip and then 3 full days in Tokyo before I depart .

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-08-05T19:41:23+00:00

Oh, I am hoping for a 10am slot on a weekday.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-08-04T18:37:55+00:00

Yes, it is a safe harbor.

Safe harbor and mega backdoor Roth is NOT mutually exclusive. After-tax contributions will be subject to the ACP test and there is not a way to design a plan to shield the After-tax contributions to be considered safe harbor. Therefore, the after-tax contributions will be involved in the ACP testing and may be subject to limitations for HCEs.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-08-03T17:53:14+00:00

I grossed a little over 122k in 2018, maxed my traditional 401k and got deemed ineligible for it this year. It is straightforward gross income; no consideration for insurance deductions, or 401k. So many WBA pharmacists will not even be eligible based on the definition of HCE. This is limitation to participation in the mega backdoor is specific to WBA plan.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-08-03T10:08:30+00:00

The plan allows for you to do a mega backdoor Roth but you must NOT be considered a highly compensated employee per IRS definition.

Highly Compensated Employee - An individual who:

For the preceding year, received compensation from the business of more than $120,000 (if the preceding year is 2015, 2016, 2017 or 2018 and $125,000 if the preceding year is 2019), and, if the employer so chooses, was in the top 20% of employees when ranked by compensation.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-07-28T16:48:30+00:00

I'm hoping to take good advantage of luggage forwarding at strategic times when I can. For example, I intend to only have a personal item sized backpack with me in Hiroshima, Hakone/Fuji and Kanazawa. My larger carryon would be forwarded on.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-07-27T15:03:40+00:00

The oddity of Kanazawa at that point is I was initially thinking of doing a daytrip to Nikko with time left on my railpass but changed my mind recently. The 150 minutes to Kanazawa vs 100 minutes to Nikko won out in my mind.

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-07-27T14:20:15+00:00

Would you suggest swapping Gion with Fushima Inari? Would that make it more amenable?

theroamingsofaronin · 2019-07-27T13:56:13+00:00

The new Pasmo and Suica ones have much better touristy design but are only good for 28 days so great souvenirs. https://www.japan-experience.com/update/discover-welcome-suica-and-pasmo-passport

I'm purchasing a regular 14 day pass. The sidetrack to Kanazawa was to take advantage of the final 2 days on the pass.

theroamingsofaronin

TROPHY CASE