My question is that what pharmacists do then after graduation? How come some find jobs while finishing PharmD?
Is it a good idea to become a pharmacists now?
Is it a good idea to become a pharmacists now?
Even if you really do write that poorly, you won't have to worry about it because pharmacy schools will take anyone who has a pulse and is willing to sign away $200k+ in student loans.
I am a non-native English speaker:/Unless you are a non-native English speaker, if you really do write that poorly, you won't have to worry about it because you won't be able to get into pharmacy school.
Otherwise, most of us are going to tell you not to pursue it. It's not the career it was a few years ago, and it's not worth it.
Corrected:
I am a non-native English speaker:/
Sorry for my English
The job market is bleak. Don't go to pharmacy school unless you are OK with working in retail. Going to pharmacy school to become a hospital or clinic pharmacist is like going to medical school to become a dermatologist--the odds are not in your favor. There are far far fewer residency spots than there are applicants (go ahead and look up the numbers). And without a residency, well, most people will be stuck in retail for the remainder of their pharmacy careers.
That's what my friends say.Actually, I think many prospective students actually DO want to go into retail, but don't really know what it's like - they probably envision it as an easy job with good pay.
Sure. ThanksDon't be sorry for your English. I am sorry that you were attacked here. However, your question has been answered OVER AND OVER AND OVER in two different forums. Why not just do a simple search and read the hundreds of responses that already exist?
My question is that what pharmacists do then after graduation? How come some find jobs while finishing PharmD?
Is it a good idea to become a pharmacists now?
I worked in a very unstable and small company in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin for 2.5 years as a research associate. I did that just for money and I was very depressed.It depends what your priorities are. Pharmacist unemployment rate is still very low, most pharmacists have jobs, and jobs with high compensation, caveat being IF they are willing to move and IF they are willing to take less than desirable jobs. If you want to live in a big city like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, it will be extremely hard to find a job (people in these cities who do get jobs, usually take a job in the middle of nowhere until they get experience, and then move back to their big city.) If you don't mind working in a rural area in the middle of nowhere, then most likely you will find a job after graduating.
The other thing that must be considered is the amount of loans you will have to take out. If you can only get accepted into a high-price for-profit school, then the risk is probably not worth it, unless you are independently wealthy and don't have to worry about loans.
Of course, the job market today is not necessarily reflective of the job market 6 - 8 years from now.
:/ if you truly want to pursue pharmacy, PURSUE IT.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
It is not impossible to find a job- just difficult. It really annoys me when people switch fields because of the job market.
:/ if you truly want to pursue pharmacy, PURSUE IT.
Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
It is not impossible to find a job- just difficult. It really annoys me when people switch fields because of the job market.
It annoys you when people make informed decisions about their future? I admire your youthful idealism, but in matters of livelihood you must absolutely consider the job market.
I completely agree with this. If pharmacy is your calling, you should do it no matter what anyone else tells you. If you are truly passionate about this field, you will find experiences that will make you stand out and help you differentiate yourself from the crowd and become a successful pharmacist.
Yes. It makes no sense when someone will give up on their passion because of the job market. How bizarre.
Sure the person may choose a career with a better job market like PA or nursing but I am sure they will regret not sticking to their dream career down the road.
Thank YOU and would you have given up on pursuing pharmacy because of the job market? I mean that just sounds so bad -.-
It isn't bizarre at all. When you have six-figure student loan debt and people rely on you to provide for them, all of the talk about passion and dream careers becomes silly and naive. At the end of the day, pharmacy is a career. It's a path that currently offers substantial risk, but still the possibility of a large reward. It is a factor that one should weigh when making such a large decision. A decision on the scale of getting married, having children, purchasing a home. The idea of following your dream is a romantic one for sure, but as adults it is wise to be pragmatic when making such monumental life choices.
As a practicing pharmacist with a few years of experience under my belt, I would absolutely think twice about entering the field. The vision of this field which was presented to me as a high school graduate in the early 2000's has simply failed to materialize. The academy continues to sell the dream of the emerging clinical pharmacy jobs, despite the fact that they just aren't happening.
I have been lucky enough to work in specialty fields since graduation, and I am grateful for that. However, something consistent between all of my colleagues has been the feeling of disappointment. You spend all of this time in school, you are trained for a career, and when you get out it just isn't there. Even with "clinical specialists." We all thought it would be more.
I know that seems like a large rant considering your post, but I didn't want you to get the impression that I was some SDN troll who is just out to bash pharmacy. Just offering perspective on the matter.
.. intern at a pharmacy as well so when they graduate ..
Thank YOU and would you have given up on pursuing pharmacy because of the job market? I mean that just sounds so bad -.-
Yes. It makes no sense when someone will give up on their passion because of the job market. How bizarre.
Sure the person may choose a career with a better job market like PA or nursing but I am sure they will regret not sticking to their dream career down the road.
Things may not look good now but as many of the baby boomers are retiring in the next few years, this should open up a lot of jobs as well as opportunities in MTM and pharmacists being recognized as providers!
Well put. Besides the job market is something nobody can control. Even if the job market is not good now when you are thinking about pharmacy school, this can easily change in the next few years by the time you graduate and vice versa. Things may not look good now but as many of the baby boomers are retiring in the next few years, this should open up a lot of jobs as well as opportunities in MTM and pharmacists being recognized as providers!
Job market and ROI has to play a factor these days, unfortunately. Healthcare and professional schooling in general is not so much about "I wanna help people and pursue my passion" anymore. Would you make a ~200k bet if you knew that the only way to pay it back is to work in rural Texas?
While we're at it, how many pre-pharms really have the "passion" to be a Pharmacist? Did they really spend a lot of time in a retail Pharmacy (where most jobs are) and went "I can't wait to stand on my feet all day without restroom breaks for the rest of my life". There are pros and cons to every field. If it's an 18 year old kid who never set foot in a Pharmacy, and they're doing it because their parents still think Pharmacy = $$$ (since it was during their time), then yes i would discourage them.
LMAO...I cringe when people mention MTM...I hope these people have actually done MTMs...and from my experience...MTMs will not save the profession. Only prescriptive authority will.
lolTrue! I did both retail and hospital pharmacy before applying to pharmacy school (currently a tech in oncology) and though retail made me want to die, I still liked learning more about the drugs there and what not. This applies to other students as well who are doing med or dentistry simply because their parents think it is $.
*If students do not have interest in the field they are in then leave NOW and give up your spot for someone who really wants to do it*
passion for counting by fivesCheese and rice, I don't even know what it means to have a passion for pharmacy. A passion for quality assurance? What? I can't even.
I think MTMs are actually being done at some places. There are hospitals and amcare centers that have MTM pharmacists! Not saying it'll save the profession but there are still opportunities there.
Cheese and rice, I don't even know what it means to have a passion for pharmacy. A passion for quality assurance? What? I can't even.
Then maybe you shouldn't have become a pharmacist
Unless your dad is the director of pharmacy at some hospital, I wouldn't recommend this for you or anyone.
You already said retail made you want to die. Retail is what pharmacy is. Its clear you don't even like the real job of a pharmacist lol.
Retail did make me want to 'die' but I still liked it * The retail pharmacy I worked at was crap but it didn't make me want to change my career path.
Cheese and rice, I don't even know what it means to have a passion for pharmacy. A passion for quality assurance? What? I can't even.
Most ironic thing here is that an Indian is saying don't do it for the money
That is the only reason why Indians go into pharmacy lol
So true. lmao As Indo punjabi I had three options: health care, law, or engineering.Most ironic thing here is that an Indian is saying don't do it for the money
That is the only reason why Indians go into pharmacy lol
There is no shame. The health field is considered a business in the United States and not a right.LOL omg.
Hmmmmm but medicine pays much more so why would Indians settle for pharmacy?
The health field requires a bigger and better mindset than just "doing it for money".
Shame on you, whoever you are
Sorry.LOL omg.
Hmmmmm but medicine pays much more so why would Indians settle for pharmacy?
The health field requires a bigger and better mindset than just "doing it for money".
Shame on you, whoever you are
LOL omg.
Hmmmmm but medicine pays much more so why would Indians settle for pharmacy?
The health field requires a bigger and better mindset than just "doing it for money".
Shame on you, whoever you are
So true. lmao As Indo punjabi I had three options: health care, law, or engineering.
Correction: Health Care WITH the *Dr. title. Try selling your brown parents professions like PT/OT etc. They'll flip.
I have yet to see a post about having a passion to become field management in retail or DOP.
I think MTMs are actually being done at some places. There are hospitals and amcare centers that have MTM pharmacists! Not saying it'll save the profession but there are still opportunities there.