can high school student get a job at a pharmacy?

[jungjh9001]

I'm a high school senior and I'm going to apply to pre-pharmacy
or pharmacy related major schools..
but I'm not sure if I can get a job at a pharmacy
I don't have any license related to pharmacy and
I feel uncomfortable to ask for a job in a pharmacy..

I'm not sure what kind of work I get to do if I get a job at a pharmacy..
(I live in Illinois..)

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[cdhoward]

Its possible, but it depends on your state's laws.

I did when I was in high school. I happened to know the pharmacist before hand and that certainly made a difference.

I would suggest that you inquire about a clerk position so that you can get some pharmacy experience. Also explain to the pharmacy manager that you would like the opportunity to work in a pharmacy since you would like to become a pharmacist.

 

[etspinner]

I was working at a grocery chain and they transferred me to pharmacy as a pharmacy clerk when I turned 18 (the youngest you could be in FL to work in a pharmacy supposedly). From there they taught me the more in-depth parts and I was a tech in no time. Look for the busier pharmacies and ask if they need help -- it's much easier to start out as a pharmacy CLERK just ringing people up and learning how things work first and then only you can limit what you will learn from it. Most likely the pharmacies needing clerk help would be the busier ones. Good luck, it's quite a challenge especially at a younger age, but just get your face out there and hope a pharmacist is willing to take you under his/her wing (and the impression they get from you is one of the biggest influences on whether or not you get the job if there's an opening, at least at my pharmacy).

 

[Sparda29]

New York, you're supposed to be 18 but the pharmacy I work at hired a 16 year old who started at CVS in the front store since he was really good with the computers.

 

[eightonesix]

I dont think you'd be able to get a job at a pharmacy (if anything, at closest would be a cashier), but volunteering at a hospital would most definitely help too

 

[pharmgrl5]

Which state do you live in? As has been said, it will depend on where you live. I've heard of some places that take you as young as 16 but others not until 18. I forget what my manager said but I think where I live it's 16. However at that age you are more likely to get a clerk position than a tech job. We have 3 pharmacists and 3 techs where I work (we are a pharmacy inside a grocery store) and I'm the youngest at 24. When I applied there were 8 other people all applying for 3 spots (we were a brand new store) and I don't know for sure but I think age did probably play some into who got the job. 2 of us are pre-pharm and the other is a radiology tech full time.

Good luck! It would be good to get some sort of experience so you know for sure you are heading in the direction you really want to go.

 

[PharmDream10]

I'm a high school senior and I'm going to apply to pre-pharmacy
or pharmacy related major schools..
but I'm not sure if I can get a job at a pharmacy
I don't have any license related to pharmacy and
I feel uncomfortable to ask for a job in a pharmacy..

I'm not sure what kind of work I get to do if I get a job at a pharmacy..
(I live in Illinois..)

I live in Illinois too. The hospital by me has had an opening for a Pharmacy Runner. The job description says you have to be 16 years old, so I'd assume that would mean they'd consider a high schooler. Hope that helps you some.

 

[jmcfa002]

I don't know about the answer lol, but I do want to say congrats for figuring out what you want to do now. It took me a while to figure it out

 

[TTUMike]

In Texas and at Walgreens you have to be 18. Even if you are of age you might find it difficult still being in high school.

 

[amwpharm]

I've been working at a pharmacy, as a tech, since I was 14...

 

[TTUMike]

Sounds very illegal to me.

 

[PharmerJack]

Yes,you can work in one as a high school student, smaller independents probably will, but don't count on dispensing. Another possibility like I did even after I turned 18. I worked as a cashier and stocker, then job shadowed for no pay. I did this as a post Freshman and as a sophmore in pre-pharm and I learned a ton. The job market sucks here in the rust belt so I thought experience would be worth more than making 2,000 a year part-time or in summer. It paid off.👍