Charity Olson
PharmD Candidate, Class of 2010
Charity Olson isn’t your typical pharmacy student.
The mother of four commutes daily to The University of Arizona College of Pharmacy from Casa Grande, Ariz., some 70 miles away. She taught pharmacy technician classes at Central Arizona College, worked as a pharmacy intern at the Safeway in Casa Grande, and has an Internet-based business selling pharmacy-related T-shirts she designs.
“I’ve had a difficult time adapting,” Olson says. “Especially with time management.”
Olson says she wouldn’t be able to succeed without a support network.
“If it wasn’t for my friends, I wouldn’t be here still,” she says. “It’s crazy as an adult. You have to re-learn how to study and learn.”
Olson studies often with another student who commutes from Casa Grande. During her commutes, Olson listens to recordings of herself reading her pharmacy assignments aloud. Not only does she learn something while driving, but she gets a chance to relax before and after class.
A Casa Grande native who has lived in Indonesia and Venezuela, Olson also de-stresses with her online business, PharmacyShirts.com, at night. She does pricing and markup for the shirts she designs, and an online host company produces the shirts.
“You get art, you get science, and you get to do what you love,” she says. “When it’s late at night and your brain is fried, it helps.”
Olson gets to use her design skills at COP, as she designed T-shirts for the 2007 Kappa Epsilon rush and the fraternity’s Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser.
“I really like what KE stands for and am happy to help support our charitable donations,” Olson says. “The shirts are a way people show their pharmacy pride.”
Olson, who received an associate’s degree in chemistry from Central Arizona College, worked previously as a pharmacy technician, medical technician and surgical technician.
“After eight years as a pharmacy tech, I knew I wanted to do pharmacy,” she says.”
Although her days are hectic and packed with activity, Olson wouldn’t have her pharmacy school days any different. She would rather be a positive role model than have easy work weeks.
“How can you preach college to your kids if you didn’t go?” Olson says. “They’re why I’m here.”