Reflecting on My First Year as a Software Developer After Leaving Pharmacy

It’s been exactly one year since I stepped away from my last shift as a community pharmacist and decided to pursue the role of a Software Engineer. After spending a solid year in this role, I finally feel ready to reflect on the transition. Was switching careers the right choice? Let’s dive into some key areas of my experience.

Work-Life Balance

One of the most immediate changes I noticed was a shift in my work-life balance. In pharmacy, my days were long and exhausting, leaving little room for personal time during the week. I found myself living for the weekends—a cycle that left me feeling drained. Now, as a software developer, I find myself having more time. Don't get me wrong, sometimes working late nights has to be done, but overall, I have my evenings back!

I've even picked up Muay Thai after work and started attending more social and networking events—something I could never manage before. My physical and mental health has improved because I have time and energy for activities outside of work. The option to work hybrid has also been a game-changer, cutting down on commuting and giving me more freedom to enjoy life beyond the 9-to-5 grind.

Working Environment

Adjusting to a new working environment was a big shift. As a pharmacist, I was constantly on my feet, interacting with patients all day. Now, I’m mostly at a desk, collaborating with my team online or in meetings. While I definitely appreciate the comfort of sitting, I'm very aware that I need to be intentional about staying active. So, I make it a point to incorporate walking into my routine whenever possible.

One thing I've also noticed is that, since you're not in a customer-facing role, the sense of "urgency" feels different. I might have a feature deadline, but as long as I manage my time well, I can still take breaks to use the bathroom, grab a drink of water, or have lunch—something that, unfortunately, wasn't always possible when I worked as a pharmacist.

What stands out the most is the positive energy. In pharmacy, the daily pressures often led to a negative atmosphere, where complaints were the norm. In contrast, I'm now surrounded by people who genuinely love what they do. It’s incredibly refreshing to interact with individuals who are passionate, driven, and always striving to improve. Hearing someone say, "I love what I do" was rare in pharmacy, but here, it’s the norm—and it confirmed I made the right choice.

Work Fulfillment

As a pharmacist, I often experienced the 'Sunday Scaries'. This was basically me, not being able to fully enjoy my weekends in anticipation of the horror Monday would bring me 😅. I simply accepted that as part of the job. Looking back, this was a huge red flag. If you're regularly feeling that pit of dread before starting your workweek, it's worth re-evaluating what you're doing.

Since switching to software development, that feeling has disappeared. I actually find myself excited to go back to work on Monday because I’m eager to tackle new coding challenges. Sometimes I even catch myself brainstorming solutions over the weekend! The most shocking thing is, I didn't know this was possible. I thought dreading Mondays was just a part of life. The sense of fulfilment and excitement I get from problem-solving and creating something meaningful has made all the difference.

Career Development Opportunities

In pharmacy, I learned a lot about patients, systems, and procedures, but after a while, it felt like I had hit a ceiling. As the most formally qualified person in the pharmacy (in terms of having a Pharmacy degree and being a registered professional), there wasn’t much room for further growth. The tasks I did on day one—checking prescriptions and ensuring accuracy—were the same ones I did on my last day. It was hard to progress beyond this.

In software development, it's the complete opposite. The learning never stops. I’m surrounded by developers with different skill sets, constantly exchanging knowledge and pushing each other to grow. One day I’m working on a front-end feature, the next I’m exploring DevOps tasks. The diversity of work and the opportunity to continuously upskill makes me feel like my career is always evolving, and I love the idea that I can steer it in any direction I choose.

Conclusion

A year later, I can confidently say that switching careers was the best decision I’ve ever made. When I first had the initial thought to switch careers, I was so scared, and had so much discouragement from the people around me. I am so glad I pushed through this and made the decision. If you are looking to switch careers too, go for it! Life is too precious to stay in a career you don’t enjoy. This blog post I wrote may help you too.

Until next time,

Ruth