Student thrives in new career after graduating from online pharmacy technician program.

This story is the success story of a recent Gatlin Education Services Pharmacy Technician student.

From motherhood to medicine: student thrives in new career after graduating from online pharmacy technician program. Laura Weaver, 37 year-old mother of four, recently faced uncertainty of starting a new career after being a stay-at-home mom for 16 years. With no prior professional experience, not only did she need to complete a formal education program, but she’d have to do it between carpools and diaper changes.

Ms. Weaver became interested in becoming a pharmacy technician after researching about the position and comparing it to other jobs. The career would offer her versatility of hours and a comfortable work environment, but knowing she needed a comprehensive education in order to be successful, she became apprehensive about fitting school into her busy life as a mom.

“I wanted to have an actual career, make better money and be able to move up, but it would have been extremely difficult to attend any classes.”

Luckily, her mom knew that a local university, California State San Bernardino, offers online courses through Gatlin Education Services, giving her a home-based learning alternative. She decided to enroll in Gatlin’s online pharmacy technician program, a course that teaches students the skills and knowledge that will enable them to qualify for positions in pharmacies as well as prepare for the mandated national certification.

Were it not for the availability of the online courses, Ms. Weaver said she would have encountered trouble completing a program held in a traditional classroom because her kids are all different ages with different schedules.

“With the online class, I could get up at 5 a.m. and start studying, or I could do it when my two-year-old was taking a nap. The fact that I didn’t have to drive and didn’t have to find a sitter was appealing.”

In addition, Ms. Weaver participated in on-the-job training the course offers through Gatlin’s partnership with Walgreens. The 40-hour externship not only gave Ms. Weaver practice assisting pharmacists with prescriptions, but it also provided her with the job she has today.

“It helped because I knew I could get my foot in the door with some hands-on experience,” she said. “I don’t think I would have been hired if I would have just taken the course without the Walgreens externship.”

Because all of Gatlin’s online programs are self-paced and instructor-supported, Ms. Weaver had the peace of mind that she’d made the right decision. And most of all, she gained the confidence she needed to find her place in the professional world.

“The course gave me a very good knowledge base. Everything was covered, so when I went into my externship or work, I felt fine,” Ms. Weaver said. “I would definitely recommend going through the program.”

About Gatlin Education Services

Established in 1989 by Stephen Gatlin, Gatlin Education Services is the largest provider of Web-based, instructor-supported training to community colleges and universities. Gatlin’s courses are open enrollment, allowing interested students to start their desired training immediately. Gatlin’s online career training courses are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for many in-demand occupations.

About the Pharmacy Technician course

Offered solely in partnership with major accredited colleges and universities, the Pharmacy Technician course teaches the skills needed to gain employment as a Pharmacy Technician in either a hospital or retail setting. The objective of the program is to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to qualify for entry-level positions in pharmacies as well as prepare for national certification. This online program pairs students with an instructor for one-on-one assistance and includes a forty-hour externship. To enroll through a college or university near you, visit www.gatlineducation.com.

About Walgreens Co.:

Walgreens Co. is the nation’s largest drugstore chain with fiscal 2005 sales of $42.2 billion. The company operates more than 5,250 stores in 46 states and Puerto Rico. Walgreens also provides additional services to pharmacy patients and prescription drug and medical plans through Walgreens Health Services, its managed care division, which includes Walgreens Health Initiatives Inc. (a pharmacy benefits manager), Walgreens Mail Service Inc., Walgreens Home Care Inc. and Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy.