Where are they now? Wade Hinschen

What year did you graduate?

2005. Time really does fly.

What were your senior subjects at PSHS?

English, Maths B, Maths C, Physics, Chemistry and Graphics.

Favourite PSHS memory?

Friday afternoon rugby trips to Mackay. It was always fun playing rugby with mates and the bus trips were always a laugh.

Where did life take you after you graduated?

I went straight to James Cook University in Townsville and studied a Bachelor of Pharmacy for 4 years. I then came back to Airlie Beach to do my intern year. After that my now wife and I decided to move to Bundaberg as it was a town where we could both get jobs with our professions. We didn’t know how long we would stay in Bundaberg, however we’re still here 15 years later with a family and business!

What job position are you currently in?

Pharmacy owner and pharmacist.

Tell us about why you picked a career in Pharmacy and what your study/training journey has been?

Going through school I thought I would do Mechanical Engineering and picked my subjects for that. Then half way through Year 12 I realised I hadn’t really looked at other options. A James Cook University experience trip came up and we were able to go to Townsville and visit the uni and have a look at a few courses. I picked Engineering, Science and couldn’t think of a third, so I put down Pharmacy as few friends had put that down. I’m glad I did as I ended up enjoying the idea of being a pharmacist, and changed my uni preference to that.

In saying that, if I didn’t get straight into uni I would have looked at doing an electricial apprenticeship.

A few years after working as a pharmacist, an opportunity came up for me to be able to get into ownership in the pharmacy I was working at, and I jumped at the chance. It has been a great (but hard) experience and has even taken me to places such as New York, Las Vegas, Hong Kong, South Africa and Zambia on conferences.

Best experience since graduating at PSHS?

Having a family with my high school sweetheart. Getting into pharmacy ownership.

Best advice for current Year 12 students?

I always joke I still don’t know what I want to be when I grow up, and expecting to know when you’re 17 or 18-years-old is very daunting. Also, be true to yourself and don’t let others make decisions for you.

Favourite quote?

Don’t really have one but I do like “the early bird gets the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese”.