Gift Wogu

Deborah Okoye started her career as a Marketing Intern while studying Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria. As a qualified Pharmacist, she has gone on to work for some of the biggest brands in the world as a Marketing and Content Specialist while also holding on to her career as a Pharmacist.

In this feature, we interviewed Deborah Okoye and she was happy to share her journey with the team at Gift Wogu’s blog.

Hello Debby, thank you for squeezing a little bit of time from your busy schedule to talk to us today. We have some questions for you.

Thank you and feel free to ask away.

What inspired your shift from a career in Pharmacy to Marketing?

I think for me I’ll say I’m just that kind of person that would not like to be on her death bed and be like “oh I wish I had done this” and honestly that’s the reason I do what I do. I am also the kind of person who loves to explore different things. During my pharmacy internship, I realized that the part of pharmacy I enjoyed was marketing to the customers, listening to them, and even helping the pharmacy I was working at move to marketing on social media to get more customers. I also explored WhatsApp marketing. So, I decided to try marketing in other industries as well.

My experience in the pharmacy industry has significantly shaped my approach to marketing compliance and ethics. In pharmacy, strict adherence to regulations and ethical standards is paramount to ensure patient safety and trust. This background has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail, which I carry into my marketing practices.

In marketing, I apply the same rigorous standards to ensure that all campaigns are not only effective but also ethical and compliant with relevant regulations. This means being transparent, respecting privacy, and ensuring that all claims are accurate and substantiated, ultimately building trust with clients and audiences alike.

How is that working out?

Well, we’re still on the journey (laughs) but I haven’t entirely left the pharmacy profession though.

You must be a super star juggling a career in Marketing and Pharmacy

If you call me a superstar, who am I to object? (chuckles) 

Let’s get to the juicer part. What skills did you transfer from your pharmacy background to your marketing career?

Oooh, customer service. Understanding what the customers want. I worked at a community pharmacy, so I had more conversations with patients every single day. I tried to understand them and proffer solutions that would solve their needs. Understanding the target audience and tailoring content to them is one skill I took from pharmacy. Another is communication, putting myself in my customer’s shoes as well as storytelling, because trust me a lot of customers will like to engage in conversations with you and you need to be able to communicate with them as well. So yeah, I would say storytelling.

Thriving in Marketing was a breeze for you?

Yeah, it wasn’t hard.

What were the biggest challenges you faced while transitioning to a new industry?

I would say that my biggest challenge was competing with people who actually studied this thing for four or five years or even those who have their masters in this field. It’s still a challenge. My background as a pharmacist was sort of limiting. I had to prove myself, thankfully I had a little knowledge about digital marketing when I was in school, and with that I started doing some free work for people.  I even started a haircare community but regardless it was very challenging competing with those people who studied marketing as a course in school. For now I would say that I am very confident in my skills and knowledge compared to how I was when I first started.

What is your favourite thing about marketing ?

I love marketing because it allows me to creatively connect with people, understand their needs, and craft compelling stories that drive engagement and transformation. I love the flexibility that marketing gives. When I mean flexibility I mean with regards to work, I can be a remote marketer. Oh, I also get to have my weekends to myself.

How has your perspective on healthcare changed now that you’re in marketing?

There’s still so much to be done in spreading the word, and I love seeing more pharmacies embracing the digital marketing space. I’m impressed by their work in digital marketing and happy to see this trend. I haven’t left the pharmacy field entirely; I have two clients in the healthcare sector, allowing me to stay connected. I bring my pharmaceutical knowledge into my marketing efforts for these clients, which helps me relate to and understand healthcare professionals deeply, having studied pharmacy for five years.

The healthcare industry is progressing by embracing digital advancements, and my dual expertise in pharmacy and marketing makes me a valuable asset to any healthcare organization.

Okay this is getting interesting

Yeah, right?

How do you think your unconventional background has helped you stand out in your marketing industry ? 

I’m not sure if it has helped me stand out (laughs), but I often get questions like, “You studied pharmacy, so what are you doing in marketing?” I tell them that I’m creative, and marketing allows me to explore and express that creativity. It lets me come up with content and ideas, which I love. It’s also a great conversation starter! This blend of skills makes me a fun and interesting person to be around.

What’s been the most surprising aspect of this marketing path  so far?

The surprising part is that I didn’t escape math after all! I thought I had left it behind, but I encountered it again in marketing through data analysis. For example, when you see 3 likes, you need to evaluate what those 3 likes actually mean. It’s all about understanding the deeper significance behind the numbers.

The fact that you thought you escaped maths and you still get it back here in marketing (laughs). 

Yeah (laughs).

How do you think your experience in a highly regulated industry like pharmacy has influenced your approach to marketing compliance and ethics ?

My experience in the pharmacy industry has significantly shaped my approach to marketing compliance and ethics. In pharmacy, strict adherence to regulations and ethical standards is paramount to ensure patient safety and trust. This background has instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail, which I carry into my marketing practices.

In marketing, I apply the same rigorous standards to ensure that all campaigns are not only effective but also ethical and compliant with relevant regulations. This means being transparent, respecting privacy, and ensuring that all claims are accurate and substantiated, ultimately building trust with clients and audiences alike.

What’s been the most creative or innovative marketing campaign you’ve worked on?

One of my proudest moments was working on in the first-ever Nigeria Day at the Essence Film Festival in 2023. It was an incredibly interesting period. The event was packed with activities like panel sessions and discussions, requiring a lot of conversations. My marketing and selling skills helped me craft compelling content to raise awareness about the event on social media. It was a perfect blend of my abilities, making the event a great success.

How do you balance your analytical skills as a pharmacist with the more creative demands of marketing?

I understand that analyzing data can be a bit tedious, even if it’s necessary. Personally, I prefer focusing on strategy and implementation. While I don’t dislike data analysis, it’s not something I particularly enjoy. Coming from a background rich in analytics has certainly helped me understand the importance of data and its implications for strategy. However, it’s not my favourite part of the process. I find more satisfaction in the creative and strategic aspects of marketing.

Have you noticed any difference in work culture or team dynamics between the pharmacy and marketing industries?

I’ve encountered a surprisingly toxic culture in the marketing field, which left me thinking, “Oh my God, really, are you kidding me?” In contrast, during my time in the pharmacy field, I never experienced such a toxic work environment.

In marketing, the pressure to achieve numbers and the stress from various sources can lead to challenging situations, especially with people who struggle to manage their emotions. While I’ve heard about toxic cultures in pharmacy, I never personally experienced it. It makes me wonder if it’s an issue with work ethics or something specific to the marketing industry.

Looking back what would you say was the turning point that made you realise you were ready to explore marketing and what was the key factor that gave you the confidence to make that leap?

The ability to work remotely and avoid weekend shifts was a major factor in my decision to switch careers. I dreaded working weekends, and I realized that even if I wanted to continue as a pharmacist, I would prefer to do it on my terms. The flexibility that marketing offers, especially not having to work on weekends, made the switch very appealing. I wanted a simpler, more balanced life, and marketing provided that luxury. 

So in all we can say that the fact that you didn’t want or like to work on weekends was what made you make the leap ?

Yeah you can say that (laughs).

What advice would you give to others considering a major change of career ?

Firstly, I want to acknowledge that your fears are valid. However, it’s important to have faith alongside those fears. Stepping out of your comfort zone isn’t as daunting as it seems. If you find that your current career path isn’t working out, remember that you are free to switch as many times as needed. Don’t let anyone make you feel like you have to stick to one career forever. You wouldn’t want to look back with regret, thinking, “If only I had made that switch.”

Many of my colleagues are transitioning into tech because they recognize the world is becoming increasingly digital. To all the pharmacists out there, remember this: you are and always will be a pharmacist, even if you’re not practicing. You hold a license, and that identity stays with you. So, regardless of where your career takes you, you are still a pharmacist at heart.

So in all you said I can deduce that to make this step, you should face your fears don’t let anyone bring you down because of what they think and all that. We should always take that bold step. And also we should feel free to always make a switch if the career you went for isn’t working for you. 

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Where can we find you on social media to follow you?

I’m on Instagram @Debbyokoye_, LinkedIn @Deborah Okoye and YouTube @DebbyOkoye.

Okay Miss Debby, thank you so much for your time it was worth it and I appreciate it. 

Thank you so much for having me.