Any hope for jobs?

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Potential123

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I was just hoping for some positive news about the field of pharmacy. Maybe an expansion of jobs or some sort in the near future as the economy stabilizes? I finally decided to pursue pharmacy because it's something I actually want to do. However, I've read forums in which people suggest to get out of your "comfort zone." I'm an NJ resident and I really don't wanna leave the east coast. I'm a third-year undergrad student and I was just looking for something to boost my spirits. I finally find a profession and now the future seems uncertain.
 
make connections and keep in touch with them.
 
You might not get to live and work on the East Coast. You are going to have to accept this. If you are lucky, you might get a shot. As a previous poster said, your best bet is to get in the industry and work your tail off as an intern. Make them hire you. And even that might not work.

Eventually, the baby boomers' useless, resource hogging, economy destroying asses will retire and we can move on.
 
Maybe with a plague on the boomers but until they free up resources for gen X and beyond, we're pretty effed.
 
BrightLight said:
Why is East Coast particularly saturated? 😕
Click to expand...

Many people see it as a favorable place to live.

OP, Im a HS student who is also interested in Pharmacy. I'm from NY but personally I wouldn't mind leaving to the West or hell even the country (Canada).

Make yourself competitive. Get a residency/fellowship and start out in undeserved areas for x amount of time. Once you have experience under your belt, try applying to the East.

That is my plan anyway. To work in Alaska/Washington/Colorado and after a few years of experience to try and work back in NY should I choose to say there. Is it fool-proof? Doubt it. However I would be interested in what others have to say about that idea.

Also I want to be a non-retail pharmacist but I'm not sure about how saturated that is.

If you REALLY want to do Pharma and know for a fact, do it. Heck, if you know someone through networking maybe he/she could hook you up in NJ. All about who you know and how experienced you are.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app
 
BrightLight said:
Why is East Coast particularly saturated? 😕
Click to expand...

Both coasts are saturated. Most major cities are. But the Eastern seaboard from NYC to DC is particularly bad. Why? There are too many schools and everyone wants to live here. Same reason Coastal California is just as bad.

There will be new jobs in the future. There are always new jobs in the future. My district is opening a new store in a few weeks. Boom, two new jobs. (Already spoken for, though, sorry) Jobs open up, people retire...but its very, very competitive. Out of an entire district of interns, my district supervisor only hired a handful. Only those he thought would be among the best around. We're talking just a few people. Everyone else? Texas...Kansas...outskirts of Pittsburgh if they are lucky. The kid that interned at my store still doesn't have a job to my knowledge.

It's possible you will find a job on the East Coast. But I wouldn't bet on it at all. For a new graduate, it takes a unique mixture of luck, talent, and connections.

This is a recession. A bad one. And the people in charge don't know how to fix it. Nor do the "other people" running against them this election year. The chances of the economy recovering any time soon is low.

But here's some unsolicited advice.

People ages 18-35 are facing the worst job market since the 1930s. The Baby Boomers ruined the economy for us. They are the most useless generation of humps in modern US history. They were given the most powerful economy in the history of the planet, chewed it up, and spat out a piece of **** just as we started coming of age.

The truth is that it's service jobs and professional jobs for our generation. Haves and have nots. There are no factory jobs where you can make a real living. That's it... one or the other. And being foolish enough to be picky about where you live for the next 5-10 years while the economy s l o w l y recovers and the profession reaches a labor equilibrium will lead many of you down a path of personal economic impotence. With a PharmD, you could live like a king in Southern or Western Texas or rural Kansas or any other place where there are still jobs. Or you could stay in "cool" NYC/Jersey/Philly/Balmer/DC and find yourself "making do" with a job at Dunkin Donuts until you find yourself 3 years out of the profession and unhirable with $120k in student loans.
 
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WVUPharm2007 said:
You might not get to live and work on the East Coast. You are going to have to accept this. If you are lucky, you might get a shot. As a previous poster said, your best bet is to get in the industry and work your tail off as an intern. Make them hire you. And even that might not work.

Eventually, the baby boomers' useless, resource hogging, economy destroying asses will retire and we can move on.
Click to expand...

So when babyboomers retire everything will be fine and dandy again? 👎
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
No. When they retire, the economy turns around, and when the labor/new graduate equilibrium reaches a balance.
Click to expand...

Is that possible? With all the new pharmacy schools opening up and pumping out grads, automation on the rise, and mail-order pharmacies encroaching on retail positions? Will the leave of baby boomers really help us reach the equilibrium?
 
Fai said:
Many people see it as a favorable place to live.

OP, Im a HS student who is also interested in Pharmacy. I'm from NY but personally I wouldn't mind leaving to the West or hell even the country (Canada).

Make yourself competitive. Get a residency/fellowship and start out in undeserved areas for x amount of time. Once you have experience under your belt, try applying to the East.

That is my plan anyway. To work in Alaska/Washington/Colorado and after a few years of experience to try and work back in NY should I choose to say there. Is it fool-proof? Doubt it. However I would be interested in what others have to say about that idea.

Also I want to be a non-retail pharmacist but I'm not sure about how saturated that is.

If you REALLY want to do Pharma and know for a fact, do it. Heck, if you know someone through networking maybe he/she could hook you up in NJ. All about who you know and how experienced you are.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app
Click to expand...

where are there jobs in washington? ive been looking for almost 2 years for a job out that way.
 
No Jobs in Washington or even the rural areas of Oregon. You may have a chance in Southern Texas or in some parts of New Mexico. Other than that, any job opening is very very competitive. I have been around for quite long time and it took me a while to get an offer. I had to get a license in 4 states before landing a damn offer in a rural area in Oregon after a long terrible search.
 
Wow, reading this thread makes me glad I took my job and didn't try to hold out for something "better."
Who cares if I live in BFE middle of nowhere? At least it's still driving distance to my hometown and the cost of living is so low...
 
Parklife said:
Is that possible? With all the new pharmacy schools opening up and pumping out grads, automation on the rise, and mail-order pharmacies encroaching on retail positions? Will the leave of baby boomers really help us reach the equilibrium?
Click to expand...

It might take 10-20 years. But older pharmacists tell me these boom/bust cycles with pharmacist labor tend to be 20 year cycles. They tell me of the weak 80s job markets...the boom of the late 90s/early 00s...into today where we have an overcorrection with the labor market. But there are less schools opening up today than there were from 2004-2009. There are still the occasional idiot school like Marshall opening up...but I think the rush to open new schools will die down once the general public realizes that pharmacy isn't a golden ticket anymore...and with that, less schools will open...and in time, an equilibrium will be reached and we will move towards a shortage again.

But who knows. If they socialized healthcare and guaranteed everyone 100% coverage, we'd see a new shortage instantly.
 
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NAPLEXON said:
No Jobs in Washington or even the rural areas of Oregon. You may have a chance in Southern Texas or in some parts of New Mexico. Other than that, any job opening is very very competitive. I have been around for quite long time and it took me a while to get an offer. I had to get a license in 4 states before landing a damn offer in a rural area in Oregon after a long terrible search.
Click to expand...

I have three friends who recently relocated to non rural Oregon. That was their preferred location too, so there must be some jobs.
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
It might take 10-20 years. But older pharmacists tell me these boom/bust cycles with pharmacist labor tend to be 20 year cycles. They tell me of the weak 80s job markets...the boom of the late 90s/early 00s...into today where we have an overcorrection with the labor market. But there are less schools opening up today than there were from 2004-2009. There are still the occasional idiot school like Marshall opening up...but I think the rush to open new schools will die down once the general public realizes that pharmacy isn't a golden ticket anymore...and with that, less schools will open...and in time, an equilibrium will be reached and we will move towards a shortage again.

But who knows. If they socialized healthcare and guaranteed everyone 100% coverage, we'd see a new shortage instantly.
Click to expand...

Interesting...very interesting. You don't think mail-order pharmacies and automation will have any affect?
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
Both coasts are saturated. Most major cities are. But the Eastern seaboard from NYC to DC is particularly bad. Why? There are too many schools and everyone wants to live here. Same reason Coastal California is just as bad.

There will be new jobs in the future. There are always new jobs in the future. My district is opening a new store in a few weeks. Boom, two new jobs. (Already spoken for, though, sorry) Jobs open up, people retire...but its very, very competitive. Out of an entire district of interns, my district supervisor only hired a handful. Only those he thought would be among the best around. We're talking just a few people. Everyone else? Texas...Kansas...outskirts of Pittsburgh if they are lucky. The kid that interned at my store still doesn't have a job to my knowledge.

It's possible you will find a job on the East Coast. But I wouldn't bet on it at all. For a new graduate, it takes a unique mixture of luck, talent, and connections.
Click to expand...

to be honest, if one can find a job opening (not talking about specialized positions) in a saturated market, I would highly question why that spot is open and not filled
 
lorain said:
to be honest, if one can find a job opening (not talking about specialized positions) in a saturated market, I would highly question why that spot is open and not filled
Click to expand...

This is also a good point.

The job I have is one few people want. I love nightshift and specifically asked for it. But if I demanded a day position, I'd be living in Tyler, TX rather than suburban Philly right now. And I only got the job I have because a guy quit out of nowhere, they needed another body ASAP, and they knew I could start at any time.

But jobs in remote locales always seem to be more interesting and less lick, stick, count, pour. Another thing to consider...
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
For technicians, maybe. Someone has to be there to have a final check.
Click to expand...


Do you see the role of the pharmacist expanding? Not to have any fear mongering, but I want your opinion on this slightly dated article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4218359...ine-jobs-humans-may-lose-robots/#.UBV9CDGe6wc


Remember, we're wondering from the student's perspective. Someone who has yet to apply to pharmacy school. Someone that still has anywhere from 7-4 years to go before they even work.
 
Parklife said:
Do you see the role of the pharmacist expanding? Not to have any fear mongering, but I want your opinion on this slightly dated article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4218359...ine-jobs-humans-may-lose-robots/#.UBV9CDGe6wc


Remember, we're wondering from the student's perspective. Someone who has yet to apply to pharmacy school. Someone that still has anywhere from 7-4 years to go before they even work.
Click to expand...

A fully autonomous robot that will replace a pharmacist is probably several, several, several years away. I wouldn't worry about it.

Though eventually, nobody will have jobs anywhere as robots will replace everyone from pharmacists to physicians to plumbers to drivers to everything. At some point work will become obsolete. Wonder what we'll do then?
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
A fully autonomous robot that will replace a pharmacist is probably several, several, several years away. I wouldn't worry about it.

Though eventually, nobody will have jobs anywhere as robots will replace everyone from pharmacists to physicians to plumbers to drivers to everything. At some point work will become obsolete. Wonder what we'll do then?
Click to expand...

iRobot?

So you don't see the role of the pharmacist expanding then. Maybe more chance for pharmacists to work in industry? Add some more chemistry to the coursework? Specialty?


For all the PharmDs wanting to become CEOS od Pfizer, we have very, very, very few if any PharmDs in positions of power..
 
Our species is on the path to complete self-annihilation. That's why I oppose recycling; it just protract this painful process.
 
BrightLight said:
Our species is on the path to complete self-annihilation. That's why I oppose recycling; it just protract this painful process.
Click to expand...

The top 1% of earth will survive and everyone else will die. God. Didn't you watch 2012?

Survival of the alpha male. The rich alpha male.
 
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Are the clinical jobs becoming saturated as well? It seems like the only way to secure a job is through residency but looking at the path pharmacy is heading towards, will they all soon be claimed as well? That would be torture to do 1-2 years post grad just to end up staffing bc no specialized positions are open...
 
barsRx said:
Are the clinical jobs becoming saturated as well? It seems like the only way to secure a job is through residency but looking at the path pharmacy is heading towards, will they all soon be claimed as well? That would be torture to do 1-2 years post grad just to end up staffing bc no specialized positions are open...
Click to expand...

Indeed. Jobs are scarce and the overall profession is going in a negative direction right now.
 
pharmaguide said:
Indeed. Jobs are scarce and the overall profession is going in a negative direction right now.
Click to expand...

No hope for jobs. Get out now while you still have the chance. 😉
 
I am experiencing the effects of job market saturation too. I am recently looking for alternatives because my district has hired a couple of new grads even though we are already pretty saturated. Hours has become unpredictable. I have sent out numerous applications for other pharmacy jobs and been contacting friends for opportunities. But I either do not get a reply from the companies I applied to, or the only reply I got told me I would have to float to multiple districts (not just different stores anymore). 🙁
 
BrightLight said:
I am experiencing the effects of job market saturation too. I am recently looking for alternatives because my district has hired a couple of new grads even though we are already pretty saturated. Hours has become unpredictable. I have sent out numerous applications for other pharmacy jobs and been contacting friends for opportunities. But I either do not get a reply from the companies I applied to, or the only reply I got told me I would have to float to multiple districts (not just different stores anymore). 🙁
Click to expand...

wags? cause with the esi business, we're hiring 12 rphs in the next few weeks in my district alone. definitely one of the easier times to grab a rph job at wags. not sure if they are offering floats or what though.
 
With regards to going to different districts, it may or may not be an issue. In a metro market, borders can be fuzzy. My market has three districts. Most of the time, I do stay within my district, but it isn't uncommon for me to go to another district's stores. A number of them are closer to where I live than stores in my own district. My market could probably absorb, based off of open shifts, 2 full-time pharmacists.
 
One thing I would like to share is that through my job hunt on the internet, I notice that there are some pharmacy job postings with fishy signs: highly desirable clinical positions in saturated locations but no prior experience required, spelling errors, flamboyant wording, lack of clear contact info of the hiring companies, etc.

Job market is tough now. Although I may be overly suspicious of internet postings, it is never to cautious to keep your guard up against potential scammers out there who want to exploit desperate job seekers. It is tough enough to be unable to find a job, but giving out your private info to others with malicious intents will only devastate your life.

One good safe practice is always confirm that the company that you want to apply to is a legitimate institution. Call to make sure that they are actually hiring and check with them the posting you've found. Only until everything is verified should you then fill out an online application. I know this may sound common sense to many, but desperation can sometimes cloud one's judgment. It is safer to take a few extra precautionary steps than be really sorry later.
 
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genesis09 said:
With regards to going to different districts, it may or may not be an issue. In a metro market, borders can be fuzzy. My market has three districts. Most of the time, I do stay within my district, but it isn't uncommon for me to go to another district's stores. A number of them are closer to where I live than stores in my own district. My market could probably absorb, based off of open shifts, 2 full-time pharmacists.
Click to expand...

This is true. My wife floats for three different districts...and as weird as it is, there are at least 4 or 5 stores for all three different districts within a 20 or 25 minute drive from my house.
 
joetrisman said:
wags? cause with the esi business, we're hiring 12 rphs in the next few weeks in my district alone. definitely one of the easier times to grab a rph job at wags. not sure if they are offering floats or what though.
Click to expand...

All is great until the ESI customers do not return. Then its back to laying everyone off and no staff. I would stay the hell away from any retail chain. I would especially avoid Walgreens and there evil step brother CVS.
 
Get a job ASAP. I think it's easier to get a job before you are actually an intern. Unfortunately, I applied in my P1 year and although I'd say 30-40% of kids in my class applied at the same time I did, I somehow got into the luck of not getting any job. I've been looking for two years (you can probably find my woe threads somewhere). I'm right now an unemployed P3 and trying to make the best out of it. I know P4s who also never worked in retail or hospital other than IPPE and are considering public health or pharmacy economics or something. My friends in my undergrad classes from other health science majors are hooking me up for volunteer opportunities for health organizations with I'm excited about 🙂. I am not sure how it will look on a CV, perhaps not as favorable as an actual job in a pharmacy, but something I am nonetheless excited about. Also I'm studying for the GMAT in hopes of getting into the MBA program. We'll see how that goes.

I have a question though, do you need any extra qualification to work in Canada? I wouldn't mind moving to Canada, actually, but I read that to work in England, Australia or some European countries, you need an extra couple of years of studying (like two) before you can begin working. I don't know if that holds same from Canada as its system doesn't seem to different from USA. Canada is also not that far from the East Coast (depending on where you live). I live in New England, only 5 hours away from Montreal. Would be fun, but who knows, I'll probably get homesick fast :scared:
 
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