Author: Erin Wilson
Third-year PharmD student Frances Abanonu knew at age 11 that she wanted to be a pharmacist. Her early career ambitions stemmed from her father, who was chronically ill and passed away when she was very young. She told herself then that she would grow up to manufacture drugs that would keep others alive.
“I knew he could have survived if he had good medical attention or if he took the right drugs,” Abanonu said. “As a young girl I thought, ‘This shouldn't happen. I want to work as part of a team that manufactures drugs so people's loved ones will stay alive forever’... but that didn't happen right away.”
At that time, Abanonu thought she would become a pharmacist in Nigeria, where she lived and grew up, and help change the country’s pharmaceutical industry. After finishing high school, she took an exam to determine which university and courses to attend. She selected pharmacy as her first choice. She was accepted, but opted instead for the Federal University of Technology Minna, where she was meant to study mathematics and computer science, to be near friends. After graduation, she worked in the banking industry. A couple of years in, she met her husband and moved to the U.S. to be with him.
“I always remembered pharmacy, my first love. It was always on my mind. After I had my kids, I told my husband I want to go to pharmacy school— this is what I've always wanted to do,” Abanonu said. “I'm still thankful for the routes that I took because every experience is valuable.”
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy was the only school she applied to, since it would allow her to stay near family. Now, a mother and a full-time student in the PharmD program, her plate is full.
“It's not been the easiest thing. It's been one of the most challenging things I've ever had to do…. It's just that this is what I've always wanted to do,” Abanonu said. “So, advice that I'll give to any mom out there who is looking to go back to school is you can do it, but you have to have the mindset that it's not going to be easy and you can’t give up.”
Abanonu started a blog to document her experiences as a mom attending school, to both encourage herself and other mothers. She thought about converting it into a podcast and interviewed a few student mothers, but her workload was too demanding at the time. When she’s able to, she plans to publish a podcast.
“I discovered that many moms in school connected deeply with what I was sharing. It became a safe space,” she explained. “Knowing I wasn’t the only one struggling motivated me to keep posting and to work toward building a community. I will create the podcast because I believe sharing my story—and others’ stories—can inspire moms in school to keep pushing forward, one day at a time.”
Abanonu attributes her resilience and determination to her career-driven nature, but even more so to her support system. She shared that her husband offers encouragement during challenging moments, often reminding her that “if it were easy, everyone would do it.” She also highlighted the crucial role of the college community—her classmates, faculty, and various college programs—in keeping her on track. As a member of a student group for parents pursuing healthcare disciplines, she rarely misses meetings, valuing the shared experiences and support the group provides. Abanonu also recalled that during a particularly challenging class in her first year, the college facilitated her connection with an upper-year student who tutored her. This tutor not only met her at libraries but even traveled to her neighborhood to ensure she succeeded.
“I would say the entire College of Pharmacy supportive environment has really helped,” she said. “That's exceptional. I mean, that's how much the school wants you to succeed, how much they want to support you and help you. The school is supporting me, my family is supporting me. Even if it's hard, I have to push myself. I have to want myself to succeed, too.”
Abanonu said her time in pharmacy school has opened her eyes to the diverse possibilities within the field. After gaining experience in retail, hospital, and clinical settings, she has started to narrow her focus. She is exploring a nontraditional path, such as consulting pharmacy, while remaining open to other opportunities. Regardless of the direction she chooses, she is fulfilling the aspirations of her younger self.
“Sometimes as a child, you make these proclamations without too much thought. But I think the universe has a way of bringing them to fruition, which is why I’m a firm believer in positive affirmations, even if they aren’t happening yet,” she shared. “I will always pay it forward. Growing up, I wanted to inspire young girls. Now, I feel called to inspire moms like me.”