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December 09, 2025
You might know where you want to go with your career, but there are many paths to get there.
Second-year MITT Pharmacy Technician student Katlynn Derouard knows this firsthand. Her dream? To become a pharmacist. Her route? Not exactly a straight line.
Fresh out of high school in Kenora, Ontario in 2021, Katlynn thought university was the ticket. After trying two bachelor’s programs and a pre-pharmacy stint, she realized those paths weren’t the right fit.
She entered MITT’s two-year Pharmacy Technician program in fall 2024, and suddenly, the road felt right.
“I love it here. All the instructors want you to succeed. When you need help, you just ask,” said Katlynn. “If you’re struggling with something but are putting in the effort, they are there to help and offer extra support.”
And succeed she has. This fall, Katlynn’s hard work earned her national recognition. In August, she became one of only seven students across Canada—and the sole Manitoban—to win an Indigenous Pharmacy Professionals of Canada (IPPC) Indigenous Pharmacy Scholarship. Then in November, the Business Council of Manitoba recognized her with an Indigenous Education Award.
“Moving away from home for school, there are a lot of costs that come with that. So, these scholarships are a breath of fresh air that takes some financial pressures off,” noted Katlynn.
But the awards are more than financial relief; they’re fuel for her passion. Because Katlynn isn’t just studying; she’s immersing herself in pharmacy. Before MITT, she worked in community pharmacies in Kenora. In Winnipeg, she’s gained experience at BioScript Solutions, which provides access to complex drug therapies; Brothers Pharmacy, a locally owned and operated pharmacy that serves residents of Winnipeg’s North End; and now CancerCare Manitoba. She’s even volunteered in addictions counselling, giving her a broader view of health care. =
Those experiences have shaped her vision for her career: to serve Indigenous communities and tackle challenges like substance use disorder and harm reduction.
“Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can be more integrated into that work and can be some of the most accessible front-line workers.”
Her time at Brothers Pharmacy drove that idea home.
“Their pharmacy is attached to a clinic specializing in addictions and mental health. When other health care professionals had questions, they could come right over to the pharmacist. You’re very much a part of the patient’s care.”
Katlynn’s journey proves that when you find the right career path, it can lead to powerful places. Her dream of pharmacy has her working towards a future where care is culturally safe, accessible, and inclusive.
Ready to start your own journey? Explore MITT’s Pharmacy Technician program at MITT.ca/pharmacy-technician today and take the first step toward a career that makes a difference.
