Pharmacy technician program leads mom of three to new career.
For Yukari Arceo, returning to school meant more than earning a credential.
It was a step toward a new career in healthcare and an opportunity to turn her interest in medications and patient care into meaningful work.
Originally from Japan, Yukari came to the United States as an au pair. She later became a mother of three herself. When she decided to pursue a career in healthcare, she found a pathway through Front Range Community College’s pharmacy technician program.
“I wanted to start a career in healthcare, and FRCC’s pharmacy technician program seemed like a great way for me to gain the knowledge and hands-on experience I needed to enter the field,” she says.
Today, that training has taken Yukari from the classroom and clinical rotations into the workforce. After graduating from the program in August, she began working as a pharmacy technician at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Turning an Interest in Medications Into a Career
Yukari’s interest in pharmacy grew from her previous experience in healthcare and psychology. While working at a psychiatric facility in Japan, she saw firsthand the important role medications played in helping patients.
“I saw how medications were an important part of patients’ treatment, and that made me interested in learning more about medications and how they affect both the body and mind,” she explains.
For Yukari, the pharmacy technician program offered an opportunity to build on that interest while developing practical skills for a healthcare career.
Learning by Doing
Hands-on learning was a key part of Yukari’s experience at FRCC. Through labs and clinical rotations, she was able to apply classroom knowledge in real pharmacy environments and work alongside experienced pharmacy professionals.
“I had a very positive experience,” she says. “The class size was small, and our instructors were very supportive throughout the program.”
“I especially appreciated the labs and clinical rotations, where we were able to practice our skills and apply what we learned in real pharmacy settings while working alongside pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.”
Exploring and Learning
Her clinical rotations gave her exposure to different areas of pharmacy, including long-term care and hospital settings.
“My clinical rotations were especially valuable,” she recalls. “I had the opportunity to experience both long-term care pharmacy and hospital pharmacy.”
“My hospital rotation at Children’s Hospital Colorado really stood out to me because I’ve always enjoyed working with children. And I loved the idea of being part of a team that supports their health, development and care.”
That experience ultimately helped lead Yukari to her current position at Children’s Hospital Colorado.
Building Skills and Confidence for the Workforce
Workforce-focused education is about more than learning technical skills. For Yukari, her time at FRCC also taught her the importance of communication, accountability and knowing when to ask for help.
“One of the most valuable things I learned is to ask questions when I’m unsure instead of making assumptions. In pharmacy, even a small mistake can affect a patient, so it’s important to double-check my work and ask for guidance when I need it. I learned that asking questions is an important part of learning, improving, and keeping patients safe.”
Making—and Learning From—Mistakes
Her experience making mistakes in the classroom and lab also became an important part of her preparation for the workplace.
“The combination of classroom learning, hands-on lab, and clinical rotations helped me feel much more prepared,” she says. “I also learned a lot from making mistakes in class and lab.”
“Those experiences taught me to be open to feedback, take responsibility for my mistakes, learn from them and communicate with my peers. The program helped me build the foundation, skills and confidence I needed to start working as a pharmacy technician.”
A New Career—and More to Learn
After completing the program, Yukari transitioned directly into her new career. She is now working as a pharmacy technician at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she is continuing to build her knowledge and experience.
“Right now, my goal is to keep learning and become a reliable and well-rounded hospital pharmacy technician. In the future, I’m especially interested in gaining experience in sterile compounding,” she says.
For Yukari, the journey represents both a career change and a personal accomplishment. Returning to school while raising three children required commitment, but the skills she gained at FRCC are now directly connected to her work.
“Going back to school while raising three children was not always easy, but I’m very glad I did it,” she reflects. “It’s exciting to see that what I learned at FRCC is now something I use in my job. I’m very thankful for the instructors and everyone who supported me throughout the program.”
