Mapping the Future Pharmacist: A National Cross-Sectional Study on Iraqi Students' Career Intentions and Influencing Factors
Keywords:
Iraq, Motivation, Pharmacy educationAbstract
Background: The rapid expansion of pharmacy education in Iraq has produced a growing cohort of graduates with diverse career goals and motivations. Understanding the determinants of their career choices is critical for aligning educational outcomes with national healthcare workforce needs. Objective: To explore the perspectives of pharmacy students regarding their future careers and to identify the major factors influencing their decision to pursue pharmacy education. Methods: A cross-sectional, hybrid methods survey was conducted among 508 students from public and private pharmacy colleges across Iraq. A validated self-administered questionnaire collected data on demographics, influences on career choice, professional aspirations, and confidence levels regarding career readiness. Results: Most respondents were female (65.7%), and the majority (84.8%) were enrolled in private colleges. The principal motivations for choosing pharmacy were an interest in healthcare (46.4%), family influence (35.6%), and job security (20.8%). Community and clinical pharmacy emerged as the most preferred career paths (26.2% each), followed by hospital pharmacy (17.1%). Work-life balance (47.4%) and salary expectations (37.4%) were the dominant factors affecting career choice. Furthermore, 40.9% of students intended to pursue postgraduate education immediately, and 44.3% planned to do so later, indicating a strong inclination toward continuous professional development. Conclusions: Iraqi pharmacy students demonstrate a strong commitment to patient-oriented roles and lifelong learning yet face uncertainty about career preparedness and limited awareness of non-traditional pharmacy fields such as regulatory affairs. The findings suggest enhanced career counseling, experiential learning, and curriculum alignment to support well-informed career decisions and workforce sustainability.
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