Aldine ISD Pharmacy Technician Program Opens a Career Path for Nimitz Graduate

Aldine ISD’s pharmacy technician program helps students build health science knowledge and apply it through real-world experience at CVS.

When Kaitlynn Brown first heard about the program during her senior year at Nimitz High School, she knew very little about the profession.

A friend from the previous graduating class recommended the program, telling Kaitlynn it was fun and could lead to both a certification and a job after high school.

By her senior year, Kaitlynn had completed the coursework required for high school graduation and her associate degree. She had also progressed through Health Science coursework throughout high school and was ready for the pharmacy practicum.

So, she thought, “Why not?”

That simple decision introduced her to a career she had never considered — and ultimately helped shape her plans for the future.

Today, the former Nimitz student is a second-year student at The University of Texas at Dallas, where she is majoring in biology and minoring in healthcare management. She plans to attend pharmacy school and earn her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, with aspirations of becoming a medical liaison.

For Kaitlynn, it all began with an Aldine Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunity that let her take what she learned in the classroom into a real pharmacy through Aldine ISD’s partnership with CVS.

What Do Students Learn in Aldine ISD’s Pharmacy Technician Program?

The pharmacy technician pathway is part of Aldine ISD’s health science offerings, giving students an opportunity to build foundational knowledge before applying those skills in a real-world health care setting.

Students can begin exploring health science and pharmacy-related careers as early as ninth grade. The pharmacy technician pathway begins with Principles of Health Science. It continues through a coherent sequence of Health Science courses that build the knowledge and skills needed for a pharmacy technician career. More focused pharmacy technician coursework and career preparation occur in upper-level courses during the junior and senior years.

During their senior year, eligible students can enroll in Practicum in Health Science – Pharmacy. The course provides pharmacy-specific instruction and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through clinical hours at CVS.

Kaitlynn’s Health Science coursework progressed throughout high school: Principles of Health Science in ninth grade, Health Science Theory in 10th grade, Dual Credit Anatomy & Physiology in 11th grade, and the pharmacy practicum during her senior year.

Before entering the CVS experience, students learn about medical terminology, pharmacology, medication safety, infection control, professionalism, communication, and patient care. They also learn about pharmacy technicians’ responsibilities and the importance of accuracy and confidentiality.

“The greatest value is authenticity,” said Stephen James, Aldine ISD program director of career and technical education. “A classroom can teach students the knowledge and skills associated with pharmacy, but a real pharmacy allows students to see those skills being used with actual patients, professionals, technology, and workplace procedures.”

Through the CVS experience, students can see how the concepts they learn in health science courses translate into the day-to-day operations of a pharmacy.

They also gain exposure to pharmacy professionals and develop skills such as professional communication, customer service, organization, attention to detail, inventory management, and teamwork.

Just as importantly, the experience introduces students to health care workplace expectations.

“Students gain a better understanding of communication, teamwork, accountability and customer service,” James said. “Perhaps most importantly, they can determine whether pharmacy is truly a career they want to pursue.”

‘Pharmacy Elves’ Become a Career Possibility

When Kaitlynn began the program, she admits she had a limited understanding of what pharmacy technicians actually did.

“I honestly had no idea what pharmacy technicians did before starting the program,” she said.

A friend jokingly described pharmacy technicians as “pharmacy elves” — the pharmacist’s version of Santa’s little helpers.

That description may have given Kaitlynn a starting point, but her experience at CVS — some of her peers gained their experience at Walgreens — quickly gave her a much deeper understanding of the profession.

What surprised her most was the organization behind a busy pharmacy.

“There are so many moving parts in a pharmacy, but I learned how important teamwork, communication, and organization are to keeping everything running efficiently,” she said.

The experience also taught Kaitlynn lessons students cannot learn solely from a textbook.

Working alongside pharmacy staff required her to become accountable and independent. She learned to ask questions, support her fellow technicians, step in when someone needed help, and understand how her actions could affect the workplace and the patient experience.

“Textbook work is essential for learning the basics,” Kaitlynn said, “but actually working at CVS in person allowed me to be hands-on, grasp a deeper understanding of what was learned in the classroom, and put words on a page into action.”

Discovering a Future She Hadn’t Planned

Before entering the pharmacy technician program, Kaitlynn had been interested in anesthesia since her first year of high school.

By her senior year, however, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to pursue.

Then she stepped into the pharmacy.

“Working in the pharmacy (CVS), learning the material, and everything in between sparked a passion in me that I never knew was there,” Kaitlynn said. “I genuinely enjoyed the process, and this program planted the seed that grew into my interest in pursuing a future in pharmacy and healthcare.”

For James, Kaitlynn’s experience illustrates one benefit of giving students opportunities to explore careers before they graduate.

“Kaitlyn is one student who stands out to me because she entered the program not knowing much about pharmacy,” James said. “She completed the program, earned her pharmacy technician certification, and gained hands-on experience with CVS. That experience helped her discover a real passion for pharmacy.”

Today, Kaitlynn is continuing to build on the foundation she developed at Nimitz, pursuing experiences that will prepare her for the next step in her pharmacy journey.

She said the experience has helped her narrow her goals and opened the door to additional opportunities, including studying abroad in the United Kingdom and preparing for an international shadowing experience.

For Kaitlynn, valedictorian of the Class of 2025, earning her pharmacy technician certification represents more than a credential.

“It means I am well-equipped with the skill set to maintain a career that assists in helping the world go around and open doors to opportunities in healthcare,” she said.

But more importantly, she said the accomplishment reminded her that she can take on difficult challenges and accomplish something meaningful through hard work and commitment.

‘Be All In’

Kaitlynn’s advice to current Aldine students considering the pharmacy technician pathway is simple:

“Be all in, and you won’t regret the outcome.”

Whether students ultimately pursue pharmacy or another career, she believes the experience gives them something valuable — knowledge, workplace skills, independence, teamwork, and a better understanding of what it means to work in healthcare.

After completing the coursework required for high school graduation and her associate degree, Kaitlynn entered the pharmacy practicum ready to explore a new direction and thought, “Why not?”

She left with a certification, real-world experience, and something she didn’t expect to find: a clearer vision of her future.

“I accomplished a lot during my high school years, from graduating valedictorian with an associate’s degree, president of numerous clubs, an athlete, and so much more,” Kaitlynn said. “But amongst all those accolades, the one I might say I am most proud of is my pharmacy technician certification — and you will be too!”

Learn more about the Pharmacy Technician Program by visiting the Aldine ISD CTE Department website.