As a high school senior...

[mynameisben]

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Hey guys, I have a question that you may be able to answer for me.
It took me all summer to decide that I wanted to be a pharmacist, but since I came to that decision, I have been trying to find a way to gain pharmacy-related experience that would help me possibly in getting in a EAP.

I have a unique situation as a result of getting a lot of summer school/correspondence that I don't need to take any school in the day in order to graduate. Rather, I will be taking college classes at night, which gives me enough time for a job. I've tried to get even just get volunteer experience in a pharmacy, but every pharmacist I ask tells me that any decent pharmacy wouldn't let someone who wasn't a pharmacy tech behind their counter. Of course, in Alaska, as well as the majority of the lower 48, I can't get a license as a pharmacy tech because I'm not 18 and I haven't graduated.

I think I've used every resource in my power to try to get a job related to the medical/pharmacy field, but since I have no experience at all, it's really kind of hard to get anything that I believe would actually help me beyond a paycheck. (Which I could definetly use😀)
What would you recommend I do in my position?

 

[da8s0859q]

Bump/subscribing; curious to see what the more knowledgeable pre-pharm people tell you.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Have you tried hospital pharmacies? They are usually more receptive than retail for volunteers. Also try shadowing a pharmacist. You can gain some experience and knowledge about pharmacy without being a liability to the pharmacist (if that's what they are worried about). I don't know anything about EAP, but I thought I'd put in a few suggestions if you haven't tried them.

 

[CaliCPhT]

What if you tried to start as a pharmacy clerk or cashier? Any independent pharmacies close to you that you might be able to get a cashier position in? That way, you can start to gain valuable experience, learn the workflow at the pharmacy and get to know the pharmacy staff. Then, when you do graduate high school, you could get your tech license and you can stay with the job. I still think that you can learn even if you don't start as a tech initially. Besides, you're still a senior in high school, right? You still do have plenty of time!

 

[akaykay]

I recommend that you start off as a cashier/clerk at some retail chain and work your way up, showing interest as much as possible. Then, right when you turn 18, submit an application. As the previous poster also said, you can start shadowing or start studying for the licensing exam as soon as possible. That way, you get a bigger pay when you start. It's great that you're planning way ahead of time.

 

[mynameisben]

I did try the shadowing thing, calling all the pharmacies in my town, large and small, and they pretty much all just told me that it would be a huge legal ordeal for them if they let anyone besides a licensed pharmacist/pharmacy tech behind the counter. That's okay...I'm supposed to be getting high school credit for having a job, and volunteering doesn't count.

I guess that the best idea would be for me to study up for the PTCB exam and get a job somewhere else for cash. So how would you guys recommend I go about studying for the exam? Is it easy enough that I can just buy the book online and pass?

I see that you in fact are required to have a high school diploma or equivalent to take the test, but they would make an exception. Do you think they would make an exception in my case?

Anyways, thanks for all the helpful responses! 😀

 

[JerryPharmD]

I was in a similar situation. I was a high school senior working in fast food and decided that pharmacy was the profession for me based on a project that we had to do. I applied at Walgreens with no experience but the one job. They called me a month later. At first I worked half the front end and half as a pharmacy cashier. Then I was certified and the rest is history. My advice: apply for jobs at drugstores, even if you have to work the front end. Let them know you're interested in the pharmacy, and everything should fall in place.

Good luck!

 

[omnione]

You are still young and unless you plan to apply to 0+6 schools, then you have plenty of time to work for that pharm tech position and exam until the admissions becomes an issue during the second year of college at the earliest. Of course, your time frame will be different since your courseload will delay the time when you actually apply. So, I would be patient and not fret too much.🙂

 

[Glowwyrm]

Hey guys, I have a question that you may be able to answer for me.
It took me all summer to decide that I wanted to be a pharmacist, but since I came to that decision, I have been trying to find a way to gain pharmacy-related experience that would help me possibly in getting in a EAP.

I have a unique situation as a result of getting a lot of summer school/correspondence that I don't need to take any school in the day in order to graduate. Rather, I will be taking college classes at night, which gives me enough time for a job. I've tried to get even just get volunteer experience in a pharmacy, but every pharmacist I ask tells me that any decent pharmacy wouldn't let someone who wasn't a pharmacy tech behind their counter. Of course, in Alaska, as well as the majority of the lower 48, I can't get a license as a pharmacy tech because I'm not 18 and I haven't graduated.

I think I've used every resource in my power to try to get a job related to the medical/pharmacy field, but since I have no experience at all, it's really kind of hard to get anything that I believe would actually help me beyond a paycheck. (Which I could definetly use😀)
What would you recommend I do in my position?

I feel your pain. I was unable to get any sort of pharmacy experience even as a college undergrad that was just a few months away from getting a bach. in biochemistry. I went to numerous pharmacies. They all turned me down. One didn't even look up or ask any questions. All he did was shake his head no and then ignored me. My suggestion to you is to go to locally owned pharmacies and hospital pharmacies. Try to get your school to set up something on your behalf. I was finally able to (4 years later!) volunteer at a VA research pharmacy because I was working at the VA to begin with and happened to be introduced to a very gracious pharmacist that allowed me to volunteer. I think if you can talk your high school counselor into contacting a pharmacy on your behalf that may be your best bet. Wish I had more helpful info for you. I wish you luck.

 

[sunwarrior86]

Unfortunatley I don't think they would allow any exceptions to the high school diploma rule. I took the PTCB in November of 2006, and all I did was self study, granted I did have experience in a pharmacy for a few months. Depending on your amount of desire, you should be able to pass the PTCB with just self study. And, as everyone else has stated, try shadowing and talking to hospital pharmacies. Also, try to set up interviews with pharmacists and let them know that you are intereseted in purusuing a career as a pharmacist- this might open up a previously locked door. I can't give any personal experiences about voulenteer experience because I was already in college when I decided to apply for next years admission to pharmacy school. Anyways- good luck! And congratulations on deciding to pursue a career in pharmacy!