Review The Videos In This Section After Viewing, Create A 2 ✓ Solved

Review the videos in this section. After viewing, create a 2

Review the videos in this section. After viewing, create a 2-page Word document in APA format addressing the following topics: 1) Briefly describe two careers: one in your major and one in the technology field. 2) For each career, describe in detail the salary (based in MD, VA, and DC), education level or certifications required, and typical duties. 3) Identify an emerging technology (within the past five years) used in each industry to improve production or workflow. 4) Describe ethical issues associated with each career. 5) Include at least four references. Research sources may include the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, O*NET, the PGCC Library guidance on evaluating websites, and other credible sites. Keep URLs for all sources.

Paper For Above Instructions

Introduction

This paper compares two career paths: Pharmacist (representing a health sciences major) and Cybersecurity Specialist / Information Security Analyst (representing a technology field). For each career I describe the role, provide approximate salary information for Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), and the District of Columbia (DC), explain typical education and certification requirements, identify a recent emerging technology used to improve workflow, and outline key ethical issues. Information is drawn from occupational data sources, professional associations, and government guidance to support career decisions and evaluation (BLS, 2023; O*NET, 2024).

Career 1: Pharmacist

Role and Typical Duties

Pharmacists dispense prescription medications, counsel patients on proper use, check for drug interactions, manage medication therapy plans, and collaborate with healthcare teams to optimize outcomes. In institutional settings (hospitals), pharmacists oversee medication safety systems, prepare compounded medications, and manage clinical pharmacy services. Community pharmacists focus on patient counseling, immunizations, and inventory management (BLS, 2023; O*NET, 2024).

Salary (MD, VA, DC)

Nationally pharmacists earn a high median wage relative to many healthcare occupations (BLS, 2023). Local averages vary: recent regional salary aggregators and occupational reports indicate pharmacists in Maryland commonly report annual earnings around $115,000–$130,000, in Virginia roughly $110,000–$125,000, and in the District of Columbia approximately $120,000–$130,000, depending on setting and experience (BLS, 2023; Glassdoor, 2024).

Education and Certification

Pharmacists typically require a Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) degree from an accredited school and successful completion of the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX). State licensure is required in MD, VA, and DC, and additional certifications (e.g., Board Certification for clinical pharmacists, immunization certification) enhance clinical roles (BLS, 2023; APhA, 2022).

Emerging Technology Improving Workflow

Recent advances include robotic dispensing systems, automated medication cabinets, and telepharmacy platforms that support remote counseling and order verification. AI-driven medication reconciliation and clinical decision support tools have emerged in the past five years to reduce errors and streamline pharmacists' review of complex medication regimens (ASHP, 2021; FDA, 2022).

Ethical Issues

Pharmacists face ethical issues related to patient privacy, medication errors, prescription access and affordability, and conflicts between corporate policies and patient care (HHS, 2020). The adoption of automation raises concerns about over-reliance on machines, maintaining clinical judgment, and the equitable access to telepharmacy services for underserved populations (ASHP, 2021).

Career 2: Cybersecurity Specialist / Information Security Analyst

Role and Typical Duties

Cybersecurity specialists protect organizational information systems from unauthorized access, detect and respond to incidents, implement security controls, conduct vulnerability assessments, and advise on policy and compliance. Duties include monitoring networks, configuring security tools, performing threat hunts, and developing incident response plans (BLS, 2023; O*NET, 2024).

Salary (MD, VA, DC)

Information security analysts and cybersecurity specialists earn competitive salaries influenced by demand in government and defense hubs like the DC metropolitan area. Regional salary reports and job-market surveys show typical averages near $100,000–$130,000: Maryland positions often report around $100,000–$120,000, Virginia roles about $95,000–$120,000, and DC positions commonly range higher, frequently $110,000–$135,000 for experienced practitioners (BLS, 2023; Indeed, 2024).

Education and Certification

Many cybersecurity roles require a bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field. Employers also value certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and vendor certifications. For federal roles, certification and security clearances may be necessary (NICE / NIST, 2022; O*NET, 2024).

Emerging Technology Improving Workflow

Over the past five years, major technology trends in cybersecurity include AI/ML-driven threat detection, extended detection and response (XDR), and adoption of zero-trust architectures that reduce implicit trust in networks. Security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) platforms automate routine incident response tasks, improving speed and consistency across security teams (NIST, 2021; Gartner summaries, 2023).

Ethical Issues

Ethical concerns center on privacy vs. security trade-offs, acceptable monitoring of employee activity, dual-use research (tools that can be used for defense or attack), and bias in automated detection systems. Cybersecurity professionals must balance surveillance measures with civil liberties and ensure responsible vulnerability disclosure and use of offensive tools (NIST, 2021; ACM Code of Ethics, 2018).

Comparative Evaluation and Career Outlook

Both careers offer stable demand and good compensation in the MD/VA/DC region, though they require distinct education and certification pathways. Pharmacists require an advanced professional degree and direct patient care ethics, while cybersecurity roles emphasize continual skills updating and certifications. Emerging technologies—automation and AI in pharmacy; AI, XDR, and zero-trust in cybersecurity—improve efficiency but introduce new ethical considerations that practitioners must manage (BLS, 2023; NIST, 2021).

Conclusion

Selecting between these careers depends on aptitude (clinical patient care vs. technical systems defense), willingness to pursue required credentials, and tolerance for the ethical tensions each field presents. Both fields are rapidly integrating new technologies to improve workflow and outcomes, and professionals must combine technical skill with ethical judgment to ensure benefits are realized equitably and safely.

References

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Pharmacists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/pharmacists.htm
  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023). Occupational Outlook Handbook: Information Security Analysts. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm
  3. O*NET OnLine. (2024). Summary Report for: Pharmacists (29-1051.00). https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1051.00
  4. O*NET OnLine. (2024). Summary Report for: Information Security Analysts (15-1212.00). https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/15-1212.00
  5. American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP). (2021). Automation and robotics in pharmacy practice. https://www.ashp.org
  6. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2022). Medical device safety and automation. https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices
  7. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). (2020). Health Information Privacy (HIPAA). https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa
  8. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). (2021). NIST Cybersecurity Framework and guidance on zero trust. https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework
  9. Indeed (job market data). (2024). Cybersecurity specialist salaries by state (Maryland, Virginia, DC). https://www.indeed.com/salaries
  10. Glassdoor. (2024). Pharmacist salary estimates by location (MD, VA, DC). https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries

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