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Clay Sprouse has discovered that sometimes the degree you pursue is not exactly what you are meant to do.

Sprouse graduated from Emerald High School and enrolled at the University of South Carolina. He completed his bachelor’s degree in 2004 in political science, intending to seek a government job in Columbia. He quickly found that getting a job in politics was much more difficult than he’d imagined. But, he had a back-up plan.

While attending USC, Sprouse worked at CVS Pharmacy, a position that helped pay for his education. When no government jobs were available, Sprouse made his way back to Greenwood and continued in his position as a lead pharmacy technician. He quickly rose through the ranks.

“When CVS bought Eckerd Pharmacy, I would travel to different locations and help them convert for their openings,” he said. “That was what launched me into turning this into a career.”

Ironically, when the position for a new pharmacy technology program coordinator came open at Piedmont Tech, Sprouse was not the first candidate who came to mind for people he knew.

“When I heard about this opening, my friend who had seen the posting was actually trying to reach my fiancée to see if she would be interested in applying,” Sprouse said. “She is a nationally board certified pharmacy technician as well as a teacher at Emerald High School.”

Sprouse said she declined because she was happy teaching at EHS, but he was interested. His experience proved to be what the committee was looking for in a program coordinator.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I have a lot of experience training folks with CVS and I have a lot of good resources here.”

Sprouse wants to bring his personal expertise to the students. And he wants the students to leave with their own expertise.

“My goal is for the area pharmacies to say ‘We need a reliable pharmacy technician, Piedmont Tech is the place to go.’ I want them to know this is where they can count on getting quality pharmacy technicians,” Sprouse said.