Female pharmacists' career perceptions in Saudi Arabia: A survey at an academic center in Jeddah

This study aimed to describe existing patterns of female pharmacy students' perceptions and their expectations regarding employment, job sectors, salaries, difficulties, and burdens, and to understand students' long-term prospects for employment in the pharmaceutical sector. The second objective was to assess students' perceptions of their careers in the short- and long-term.

This prospective survey was conducted on female pharmacy students at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah from January 12, 2013 through January 21, 2013. The survey instrument was distributed online using Survey Monkey and was designed to assess students' opinions regarding employment in pharmacy.

A total of 108 students responded to the surveyed. Approximately half reported that they would prefer to work in the government sector (50.9%), followed by the academic field (19.4%). Community pharmacies were underrepresented in the responses. Students' working durations, their preferred working shifts, and their 10-year prospects differed significantly from what was expected (p < 0.001). Similarly, students' preferences to work specific shifts (p < 0.001) and their long-term prospects (p < 0.001) were significantly different from what was expected. Participants perceived community and private pharmacies as the least rewarding in terms of remuneration. Approximately 61.1% of the participants perceived salaries at private hospitals to range between $1865 and $2397/month (p < 0.001).

Female graduates anticipate challenges in the pharmacy workforce, especially in the pharmaceutical sector. Lack of training, job stability, as well as religious and cultural constraints appeared to influence female graduate's decision to join a particular sector in the pharmacy field.