Best Pharmacy Summer Internship?

[beachbum2424]

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I understand the summer after one's P1 year is the time for a good summer internship to help with future job placement and getting matched to the residency one wants. As of now I am very interested in becoming a MSL. I have searched through threads and I am aware that one must have experience first and can not become a MSL right out of school. I've read that many companies want one to have clinical experience, therefore a residency. My question is, what is the best "type" of summer internship for someone who desires such a career path? Should I do a clinical summer internship in a hosptial, such the Cleveland clinic? Or I have read about the various industrial internships...would those also be a good choice? Lastly, are these summer internships extremely competitive to get into? Do most people just end up working their retail jobs over the summer?

I appreciate anyone's input and advice as to what they did!!

Thanks!

 

[Praziquantel86]

I understand the summer after one's P1 year is the time for a good summer internship to help with future job placement and getting matched to the residency one wants. As of now I am very interested in becoming a MSL. I have searched through threads and I am aware that one must have experience first and can not become a MSL right out of school. I've read that many companies want one to have clinical experience, therefore a residency. My question is, what is the best "type" of summer internship for someone who desires such a career path? Should I do a clinical summer internship in a hosptial, such the Cleveland clinic? Or I have read about the various industrial internships...would those also be a good choice? Lastly, are these summer internships extremely competitive to get into? Do most people just end up working their retail jobs over the summer?

I appreciate anyone's input and advice as to what they did!!

Thanks!

Do what makes you happy. I know a few MSLs and they've all gotten to that point through very different career paths. You might be able to make more connections in the industry doing a summer internship at a pharmaceutical company, but it's not worth it if you won't be happy. If you want to work on the clinical side of things, do that. If you want to work behind the scenes, do that.

Internships vary in competitiveness. Some of the pharma internships are extremely competitive, simply because there are a very limited number available. Clinical internships at the big name hospitals are also very competitive for the same reason.

The key at this stage in your career is to start making connections and see if you can't turn those into internships or post-grad opportunities. Be as open-minded as possible and don't say no to anything - pharmacy is a very small world and impressing one person with your work can snowball and really help you out in the long run.