Opinion

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I'm applying this cycle (2013). I have no pharmacy experience so far but have an interview upcoming with Walgreen's. I am scheduled to take the third trimester of Organic (A's in 1 and 2) this August which would pretty much prevent me from taking the job (I have another full time job - non Pharm related) I would then not be able to take organic 3 until next spring or summer after decisions have been made.

More important - taking Organic 3 or getting experience?

Thanks

My opinion would to focus on school since you're close to the application time. Trying to get experience during the application might seem like a last minute effort to pad your application. I always think of working in a pharmacy is like having a drivers license and claiming you can race in Nascar. The scope and responsibilities of a pharmacist are way different than someone else working there.

Originally Posted by ChemPharm77

My opinion would to focus on school since you're close to the application time. Trying to get experience during the application might seem like a last minute effort to pad your application. I always think of working in a pharmacy is like having a drivers license and claiming you can race in Nascar. The scope and responsibilities of a pharmacist are way different than someone else working there.

What a silly analogy, but I'll play: How can you know you want to be a nascar driver if you don't get your license and start driving?

Pharmacy experience should be obtained to know whether YOU want to commit yourself to the profession, not to impress admissions.



As for the OP's situation, obviously a pre-req class is more important than experience admissions wise. Any possibility to cut back hours on the other job in lieu of Walgreens?

Thank you both. I was thinking experience would be more important since I already have Organic 1 and 2 completed...but I may reconsider now. I can't cut back at my other job, but I may try to see if Walgreen's can work around my schedule for August. Thanks

The analogy was silly and provided by a pharmacist when I was asking him questions about experience prior to applying (my thoughts were similar). Other pharmacists I've spoken to said they wouldn't worry about the experience but rather you can show "true" interest in the field.

Originally Posted by ChemPharm77

The analogy was silly and provided by a pharmacist when I was asking him questions about experience prior to applying (my thoughts were similar). Other pharmacists I've spoken to said they wouldn't worry about the experience but rather you can show "true" interest in the field.

I'm curious: what do you define as "true" interest in the field? It's all well and good to spout facts and figures about the latest and greatest pharmacy world trends that you picked up from some journal somewhere, but if you're not really willing to get in and get your hands dirty as a tech, do you REALLY have "true interest" in understanding the field?

It's like some of the students I've seen come through CVS and my hospital during IPPE's or summer internships. These kids are absolutely brilliant, but I am at a complete loss as to why they chose pharmacy; they seem to know zilch about the daily activities of a pharmacist or the workflow of the entire operation. Seems like an awful lot of tuition money to stick into something you're not even sure you'll like doing for the next 40+ years...

To the OP: just curious, but what are you going to do about your job come time for pharmacy school? Are you planning on keeping it full-time? If not, maybe it's time to make a move to someone who may be more flexible with you (ie Walgreens).