Best strategy for an internship?

RxShazzie · Oct 25, 2011

Hey Guys,

I'm currently a P2 looking to find a retail internship over the summer. I've already interviewed with Wal-Mart but I doubt that will go anywhere and I'm finding it hard to get my foot in the door anywhere else. Does anybody have any advice or tips to find a summer internship?

Thanks!!

R2pharmD2 · Oct 25, 2011

RxShazzie said:
Hey Guys,

I'm currently a P2 looking to find a retail internship over the summer. I've already interviewed with Wal-Mart but I doubt that will go anywhere and I'm finding it hard to get my foot in the door anywhere else. Does anybody have any advice or tips to find a summer internship?

Thanks!!

Exploit whatever connections you have. Having a friend who can put in a good word for you is crucial. If your class has a Facebook page, then a simple "anybody know of any intern positions?" post might get you a few good leads. Also, making yourself available throughout the year (and not just for the summer) makes you more appealing as well. Why should they spend the time to train you when you're going to be gone a couple of months later?

Hello2011 · Oct 25, 2011

R2pharmD2 said:
Exploit whatever connections you have. Having a friend who can put in a good word for you is crucial. If your class has a Facebook page, then a simple "anybody know of any intern positions?" post might get you a few good leads. Also, making yourself available throughout the year (and not just for the summer) makes you more appealing as well. Why should they spend the time to train you when you're going to be gone a couple of months later?

You never tell a job you're leaving at the end of summer. All through undergrad I never mentioned it. If I had I may have not got the jobs. You have to do what's best for YOU because you can sure as heck bet jobs will always do what is best for THEM. Know the game and play it well. :luck:

R2pharmD2 · Oct 25, 2011

Hello2011 said:
You never tell a job you're leaving at the end of summer. All through undergrad I never mentioned it. If I had I may have not got the jobs. You have to do what's best for YOU because you can sure as heck bet jobs will always do what is best for THEM. Know the game and play it well.

You do need to look out for yourself, but if you completely screw your employer over then you've just lost one of the biggest benefits to be gained from an internship- building your own connections. Definitely not worth it, IMO.

a runner · Oct 27, 2011

R2pharmD2 said:
You do need to look out for yourself, but if you completely screw your employer over then you've just lost one of the biggest benefits to be gained from an internship- building your own connections. Definitely not worth it, IMO.

Agreed. Burning a bridge like that might be ok if it's non-pharmacy related, but never worth it for a pharmacy internship.

I would also check with your experiential office. Sometimes regional internships will send information to them, that's how I found about my summer internship. If you're looking hospital, sometimes faculty members will know about internships in their specialty (ie. the faculty coordinator of the PGY2 peds program at my school knows about all the peds internships in the state). Does your school put on an internship interview day? That's how most of my classmates got their retail internships. Anyways, it's likely you might have to relocate for the summer to secure an internship (especially if you want hospital), that's what I had to do at least.

triton2010 · Oct 27, 2011

I am also having trouble looking for an internship in the DC/NOVA area. I've sent resumes to all of the district supervisors and no responses. Calling doesn't help either. Either leave a message or their secretaries say they're in a meeting.👎

a runner · Oct 27, 2011

triton2010 said:
I am also having trouble looking for an internship in the DC/NOVA area. I've sent resumes to all of the district supervisors and no responses. Calling doesn't help either. Either leave a message or their secretaries say they're in a meeting.👎

Finding internships is getting pretty hard, especially in some areas. I think maybe half my classmates that wanted one got one, almost exclusively in retail (hospital internships are even harder to come by). It's not a good sign for job prospects in the next decade. I had to move to one of the most remote areas of the contiguous 48 to get mine and even so there were still about 15 applicants for 2 intern spots. Your only option might be looking out of state for an internship this summer (applications are usually due in Jan.-Mar. so you'd have to start looking already) and then you have intern license requirements to deal with.

IndustryPharmD · Oct 27, 2011

By "internship", do you mean a structured program or just a job as a pharmacist intern for the summer?

iFarm · Oct 27, 2011

It may not sound appealing, but in this market I'd probably consider volunteering in order to gain some experience. If nothing else, you may gain a few contacts that you can make use of at a later time.

mustang sally · Oct 29, 2011

Agree with the idea of moving for the summer or volunteering. I moved home and stayed with my family to get my internship. Not always the most desirable thing to do, but I guess it depends on how badly you need the internship.

triton2010 · Jan 30, 2012

man oh man. any of you guys hiring by chance ? lol

mustang sally · Jan 31, 2012

triton2010 said:
man oh man. any of you guys hiring by chance ? lol

Did you try volunteering somewhere? (probably would only work in a hospital setting) I know its not that desirable to go work for free, but it could help you get your foot in the door if something does happen to open up. Plus, you could still be searching for a regular job in your free time.

Best strategy for an internship?

RxShazzie

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