Photo by Rural Health Professions from Flickr When you visit a local pharmacist, that store is likely managed by a pharmacist and an assistant. These professionals are experts in dispensing and prescribing medicines. The profession existed thousands of years ago when people sought and used medicines derived from herbs and minerals. The advancement in biology, understanding of human anatomy, chemistry, manufacturing process, and computer technology made pharmacy - a profession we know today.    OTHER RELATED/SIMILAR ROLES  Chief Pharmacist Clinical researcher Druggist Food and Drug Regulation Officer Military pharmacist Pharmaceutist Pharmacist in Charge Pharmacologist Pharmacy aide Pharmacy Assistant Pharmacy instructor Radiopharmacist Retail Pharmacist Staff Pharmacist   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Dispense medicines as prescribed by a medical doctor through a medical prescription. Organise medicines according to general sales (GS), pharmacy, prescription-only, and controlled drugs. Perform administrative tasks Ensure a safe and clean workplace Adhere to governing laws that cover pharmacy practice Communicate with prescribing physicians Counsel patients Educate other health professionals Assess the identity, purity, and strength of medications Order and buy pharmacy drugs, medical supplies, and pharmaceutical supplies. Maintain stocks  Check expiration dates Maintain a database of medicines Provide other medical services such as checking blood pressure or temperature measurements and administering injections.   WORKPLACE - WHERE DO THEY WORK?   Clinics Hospitals Pharmacy chains Pharmaceutical companies Supermarket pharmacies Food and drug regulatory body (in the Philippines, it’s the Food and Drug Administration). Forensic laboratories Consultancy Clinical research labs Pharmacy instructor   SKILLS NEEDED   Soft skills Hard skills Teamwork Oral and written communication Negotiation Customer service Attention to detail Time management Organisation   Biochemistry Pharmacy Finance Valid license Knowledge of software used in pharmacy information systems   EDUCATION AND TRAINING   To be a legit pharmacist, you must finish a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (Philippines) degree. Before graduation, your school will require you to undergo job training or internship in a hospital or pharmacy. From there, you’ll be consulting with patients, taking blood pressure, and instructing them on the correct way of taking medicines.    After graduation, if you want to be a licensed pharmacist, you must pass the Pharmacist Licensure Examination conducted by the Board of Pharmacy and supervised by the Philippines Professional Regulations Commission (PRC). You can also take post-graduate education, such as the Doctor of Pharmacy. Edukasyon.ph lists the 10 best Pharmacy programs in the Philippines.   PAYSCALE   Although there’s a minimum wage set for all labour sectors, salary depends on the following: Location (Metro Manila versus Provinces) Seniority level Company size Position Licensure status Skills set Experience   According to payscale.com, the average yearly salary of a registered pharmacist (RPh) is 206 394 PHP, which is 87.92 PHP per hour or 19 727 per month.      Note: The data for this Salary range is subject to change on the source website. Salary changes depending on the economy, time, and location.   JOB MARKET OUTLOOK There will always be a need for pharmacists as people need medicines to solve their medical problems. As time passes, the aging population will increase the need for pharmacy services in geriatric centres, clinics, and hospitals.   PROSPECTS FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT You can advance from your current pharmacist job in a drug store to a pharmacy manager or food in drug regulation officer in the government. Also, you can take post-graduate studies to    RISKS OF BEING AUTOMATED OR REPLACED BY ROBOTS According to willrobotstakemyjob.com and replacedbyrobots.info, there’s a 1.2% chance that AI and robots could replace pharmacists. Probably, in upcoming decades, when technology advances, repetitive and lower-level tasks could be automated and delegated to machines. Humans will still hold the oversight role in the pharmacy industry. On top of that, machines have no emotions, and thus, they can’t completely replace humans.   PROS AND CONS   Pros More job opportunities - People often get sick and need medicines. Pharmacies are everywhere. You can have an option to work from home in telepharmacy You can be self-employed - set up your drugstore Job outlook is improving - more people born in the 20th century will get old in the middle of the 21st century.   Cons You could face some competition - Many students are taking pharmacy degrees You may work the night shift at hospitals Your work could be repetitive You could be underemployed and underpaid    

Photo of Medical record by Nick Youngson CC BY-SA 3.0 Pix4free Often when medical jobs are discussed, and doctors, nurses, med techs, and radiologists are noticed. Most or some don’t know that there’s a medical records officer profession that is essential for efficient healthcare services. If you’re thinking about this career without spending a huge amount of money on a medical career, you can consider this job. OTHER NAMES FOR THIS ROLE Medical records clerk Medical records administrator Medical records staff Patient registrar Medical Secretary Health records officer Medical records analyst   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Gather patient demographic and personal info. Safeguard data from theft and nature’s  Perform clerical duties such as answering calls, recording patient admission and discharge information. Maintain the accuracy and quality of records by following hospital standards. Provide medical records to appropriate offices or departments and medical staff.    WORKPLACE — WHERE DO THEY WORK? Hospitals Clinics Specialised medical research facilities   EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND OTHER QUALIFICATIONS In the Philippines, you can train as one by completing a certificate course in health information management. Some hospitals require candidates with a course in a medical background such as pharmacy, biology, nursing, and medical technology. In addition, you could be required to know some health records software used as a standard in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories.   PAYSCALE According to Salaryexpert.com, the average salary for this job is 798,000 per year. Here’s a graphical representation: Data source: SalaryExporer Note: This data is subject to change depending on time and the job market. Last update: November 21, 2024   JOB MARKET OUTLOOK Medical records officers will continue to see a demand in the near future due to increased healthcare. People will become seniors and need healthcare.   PROSPECTS FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT Through experience and training, you could climb the career ladder and become a medical records manager.   RISKS OF BEING AUTOMATED OR REPLACED BY ROBOTS According to willrobotstakemyjob.com, the chances of automation for this job are 92%. This could be due to advances in robotics technology, software, and artificial intelligence. However, this result should not be taken as an exact measure to justify not taking the career of medical records officer. Even though there’s a risk of automation, human oversight is needed, and robots won’t replace humans.   PROS AND CONS PROS Contribute to the healthcare system. Gain knowledge in medical science and health software Work in an office environment far from the risk of infections and biohazard specimens. You may choose a career path to other medical professions, such as    CONS The work can be sedentary, and you can gain more weight. You may work long shifts depending on the number of patients.

Photo credited to Elevate from Pexels   Warehousemen receive, store, keep, retrieve, and send items. They are the stewards of the warehouse that stores different goods — inedible and edible items.   OTHER RELATED NAMES Warehouse worker,  storekeeper,  warehouse keeper,  warehouse manager,  warehouse stock clerk,  warehouse supervisor,  Property custodian,  Yard Clerk, Parts person,  Divisional Storekeeper,  Freight Associate,  Inventory Manager   PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Receive, sort, and store items in the warehouse; Count inventory (in and out) and record the data. Enter data of items to logistics software. Label merchandise. Open crates and containers. Organise pallets. Prepare and ship orders. Receive delivery vans or trucks. Sort merchandise according to unique number, shape, size, and type. Store merchandise using a forklift. Use forklifts to move merchandise. Verify invoices and ensure their information is correct such as consignee, sender, number of items, expiration, and tracking number.  Confer with clients and suppliers about the items’ delivery and retrieval; Arrange transportation Coordinate with deliveries Retrieve items required by the clients; Fill up paperwork to inform customers regarding the deliveries of their items. Prepare items for shipment. Maintain warehouse cleanliness; Prevent infestations from pests such as rats and roaches; Report malfunctioning devices and machines; Check if items need special storage facilities such as extra packing and refrigeration. Follow and maintain safety procedures and policies; Use gloves, goggles, and helmets Use forklift safely. Place safety signage in designated areas   POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRIES Industries and companies that purchase or deliver goods or require storing items in large numbers.  Airlines Electronics and battery manufacturers E-commerce companies Food and beverage companies that own warehouse Malls Vaccine manufacturers Wheel manufacturers   OTHER RELATED ROLES Distribution Center Manager Forklift Operator Inventory Control Manager Warehouse Associate Warehouse Clerk Warehouse Manager Warehouse packer   INVESTMENTS Formal route Bachelor’s degree in warehouse management Supply chain management course Certificate in logistics Certificate in warehousing operations   Informal or hybrid route You could be a warehouseman by taking an informal route. Even if you didn’t have a supply chain degree, you could work your way up the logistics ladder. You can start as a warehouse apprentice and get promoted once you learn the fundamentals and gain experience.   SKILLS NEEDED Soft skills Hard skills Communication (oral and writing) Punctuality Self-motivation Teamwork Willingness to learn   Forklift driving and license Picking and packing RF Scanning Knowledge of safety rules Computer literacy —  experience and skills in logistics software (SAP) High levels of integrity, honesty, and reliability. Physical strength for handling heavy items.   WORKING ENVIRONMENT Your 24/7 life will likely be in the warehouse or within its premises. The warehouse size depends on the goods or products, such as pallets of crockeries, medicines, computers, or anything that could be sold online or through stores.  If you know some logistics software, you could be assigned to a warehouse computer room where you manage the inbound and outbound flow of goods. An entry-level warehouseman will spend time using a manual forklift to retrieve or store pallets. You can use a forklift to get merchandise with a driving license.    Stress level The stress levels depend on the volume of deliveries, demands, and the warehouse location. Stress can arise from handling heavy items and repetitive retrieval and storage of items. In a car parts warehouse, you could pull out a 30 kg to 53 kg car battery and bring such human-weight items into the loading ramp and truck. You’ve to worry about carefully handling products under your care because, with one mistake, you could bump into heaps of bottles or mistakenly drive the forklift in the opposite direction.   SALARY AND BENEFITS  Salary depends on the company size, experience, location position, and skill set. According to Salaryexpert.com, the warehouse salary in the Philippines is 184,762 yearly on average.    Data source: Salaryexpert.com Note: The data above may change depending on time and job market conditions.   Depending on the company size, location, and position, benefits may include: Free accommodation or stay-in Free transportation Free meals Government-mandated benefits Vacations and leaves Health cards Mobile Allowance   PROS AND CONS   Pros Stable industry — Businesses need a warehouse to distribute goods — from healthcare to automotive. Fitness — You spend your day walking around the warehouse, which means you can stay fit compared to sedentary jobs.   Cons It can be physically exhausting — you could work in a warehouse for truck or car batteries that weigh more than 30 kg. Repetitive —  If you do the same menial tasks daily, you could get bored, such as picking and loading, and you’ll face boredom and frustration.    CAREER PATH Depending on your education, company, skills, and performance, you can work your way up the career pyramid or ladder.     ROBOT AND AI REPLACEMENT CHECKER Because of advancements in Artificial intelligence and robots, some warehousing roles could be replaced by machines. Robots may handle tasks that are repetitive or dangerous. For example, Amazon USA has already employed robots in their warehouses. Machines may not overtake our jobs since oversight will always go for humans, and AI or robots will support human workers.  If you want to check whether robots could replace warehousemen, check this site.   JOB OUTLOOK This occupation will continue to grow due to the increase in online shopping and the use of shopping platforms. Logistics is an essential part of business and will remain an essential business force today and in the near future.  

Photo by jtronics80 from Pixabay   Barbershops are known for their recognizable symbol - the swirling barber pole with red, white, and blue stripes. Did you know that the barber pole originated in the medieval period when bloodletting was recognized as a treatment for several disorders? While bloodletting is no longer a barber’s task, using the barber pole is a homage to the occupation’s historical legacy. The pole communicates that the shop is open for business. Barbers are also called haircutters or hairdressers. In this role, you can be proficient in making people look good and presentable by knowing hairstyle cuts and chemicals used in the face and hair.    OTHER RELATED NAMES AND ROLES Beautician Coiffeur Cosmetologist Haircutter Hairdresser Hair Stylist   PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES Apply the proper haircut requested by the customer Maintain cleanliness throughout the saloon by collecting and disposing of hair. Keep scissors, comb, clipper, neck duster, hand mirror, razor, and shave brush clean and sanitized. Receive payments, issue receipts, and return changes. Washing and conditioning the client’s hair. Provide back, face, neck, hand, and shoulder massage Welcome customers and consult them about their desired haircuts and styles. Trim beards and facial hair.   POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRIES Salon Barbershop Part-time or freelance roles Training schools for barbers and beauticians   INVESTMENTS - EDUCATION AND TRAINING In the Philippines, a barber can be more marketable and skilled by finishing the TESDA Barbering NC II which is 456 hours and 200 more to complete. In the United States, some states require licensing for barbers.   SKILLS NEEDED Physical stamina - Most of the time, you’ll stand for hours while tending to a customer. Positive and customer-friendly demeanor Organization Keeping the workplace clean and tidy   WORKING ENVIRONMENT Your working environment will be in a saloon full of hair-cutting tools, hair care chemicals, a mirror, an electronic hair cutter, and a rotating chair. The volume of customers depends on your saloon's location:  whether it’s in a busy street corner, city centre or a non-busy village.   STRESS LEVEL The more customers, the more likely you’ll experience stress. The stress level also comes from the long hours of standing while working.   SALARY AND BENEFITS  The salary depends on your location - city vs province - and company size. If you’re full-time employed in the Philippines, the employer is expected to provide government-mandated benefits such as SSS, Pag-big, and Philhealth. You could earn tips from generous customers if your service is good.    Data Source: Salary Explorer Note: Salary depends on time and location. When the above statistics change in 2025, it's only true for the year 2024. RISKS OF BEING AUTOMATED OR REPLACED BY ROBOTS Robots and AI could potentially make haircuts, but the required extreme dexterity to provide a nice haircut can make such a robotic takeover far from reality. In addition, providing haircut and grooming services is not just about the service: it's also about a human connection, where individuals prefer the personal touch that comes with a human barber. According to willrobotstakemyjob.com/barbers, barbers had a 48% chance or moderate risk of being automated.   PROS AND CONS Pros Meet new people and hone your customer service skills Help people look good and well-groomed. Cons The role might not pay well if you’re employed in small to medium-sized barbershops.  Standing for the whole of your shift can be taxing.   CAREER PATH AND OUTLOOK You can move up a career ladder by taking up these roles: Salon manager Salon owner Educational instructors who train newbies at trade schools

Photo credited to Pxhere Graphic designers make up the information workers alongside programmers, SEO optimisers and writers.    OTHER RELATED/SIMILAR ROLES Graphic artists are also known as video editors, photoshop editors, and designers.   WORKPLACE   You may work at web development companies, advertisement agencies, and product manufacturing companies.    INVESTMENTS Educational requirements and training  You can be a graphic artist with just any course provided you have solid training in tools of the trade. You can have a more solid background if you finish a four-year course of fine arts offered in various universities, colleges and online schools. Although some companies may accept applicants who can demonstrate competencies in the use of the tools of the trade such as photoshop and premier.   Self-learning on online courses offered by online schools. Alison.com Edx.org Khan Academy Udemy.com  Coursera.com Full time or in-house schooling offered by private and public universities and TESDA. Here are some of the degrees  Schools - For more info, visit https://www.finduniversity.ph/graphic-design-schools/    Degrees AB in Multimedia Arts Associate in Multimedia Technologies Associate in Computer Graphics and Animation Computer-Aided Design and Drafting BS in Digital Illustration and Animation Master of Computer Graphics and Animation Diploma in Digital Arts & Design   Hardware Graphics tablet and pen External monitor Reliable internet connection Laptop or desktop capable of running video and graphics editing software. Minimum requirements for such computers include: 8-above Gigabytes of RAM Dedicated graphics card i5 upwards - i7, i9   SKILLS NEEDED   Soft skills Hard skills   Empathy Creativity Teamwork Concentration Time management Customer service        Graphic design fundamentals Colour theory Typography Visual hierarchy Repetition       Industry tools Adobe Photoshop CC or its previous versions CS6 and CS5 Adobe Illustrator CC or its prior versions CS6 and CS5 Adobe Premiere Adobe XD for wireframing Inkscape Gimp       Project management Project management tools such as Molly for project collaboration.     DUTIES Make concepts, graphics and layouts for company logos, product illustrations and websites. Liaise with clients to determine their budget and requirements. Suggest layouts and review outcomes if needed. Make social media posts and videos. Make infographic videos for marketing and online streaming media. Determine copy size and specifics such as colour, font and typeface.   WORKING ENVIRONMENT You might work in companies with air-conditioned offices similar to call centres. You could also work from home depending on    SALARY AND BENEFITS Remunerations depend on the company size, location, skill level, experience and position. In the Philippines, a typical graphic artist may earn from 12, 000 to 30, 000 or more. High -        42, 700 Average -     26, 900 Low -         12, 400   Source: SalaryExplorer   Salary and benefits depend on the following factors: Company size Experience Skills set Proficiency for each graphic skills   PROS AND CONS Pros Possible generous compensation depending on company size and experience. Less stressful work depending on workload. Creativity opportunity - You learn while being creative. Your skills and experiences are transferable. Most or all businesses use graphics for their communication. It feels great when someone appreciates your work and you see your hard work. Cons Sedentary lifestyle - You will sit in front of your computer for 8 or more hours. A competitive market - More people are now training for graphic design and tools and so an increase in competition. Others will say your job is easy - Someone who doesn’t know about the intricacies of graphic design training will likely assume that making logos, posters and videos are easy as folding clothes.   POSSIBLE EMPLOYERS AND INDUSTRIES Graphic designers work in the following industries and companies that need visual content (graphics and videos) for advertisement and communication. Possible industries include: Advertisement agencies Food and beverage Job search boards Marketing Public relations firms Real estate What are the uses of graphic arts? Billboard ads Food and Beverage packaging Mug and plates Online streaming sites (Dailymotion, Youtube, Vimeo) Social media - Facebook, Twitter, Mix, Vkontakte and other social media sites Tarpaulin Television ads   CAREER PATH Graphic artists may choose to explore these related fields by gaining experiencing and learning skills. Indeed, graphic artists can be versatile. Book publisher Brochure designer Ceramic designer Clothing designer Computer-Aided Designer Freelance worker Game designer Marketing Specialist Packaging designer Production artist Teachers  Textile designer User experience designer User interface designer Video editor Website designer   ROBOT AND AI REPLACEMENT CHECKER Some websites dedicate themselves to providing readers or users with info on whether a specific job could be replaced by a robot or automated by AI. Here are the results from these sites. Willrobotstakemyjob.com           = 8% chances of being replaced or automated Replacedbyrobot.info                 = 1.5% chances of being replaced or automated   JOB  OUTLOOK Disclaimer: This graph is an estimate and it doesn’t express absolute accuracy. The job market depends on the country’s economy and trends in information technology, advertising and marketing.    There can be an increasing demand for graphic artists and designers as there will be always a need for visual art (images and videos). The job outlook may differ in different countries because of population size, supply and demand, school to students ratio and the variety of industries specific to a country.  Source: Salaryexplorer.com