outlook isn't good, and it's pretty bad/dismal depending on the area of the country you're in. geography is really important. generally if you're in an area where everyone wants to be, you're gonna have a tough time finding work when you graduate >2019 or whenever.
most pharmacists are not treated "well" in retail where most jobs are. "well" varies but a majority in retail do not like their jobs and would rather do something else. nothing in pharmacy is guaranteed, i don't even want to think about how bad it's gonna be for the rest of you prepharmers, most really have no idea how bad it's going to get. many subjective experiences and new research using older data is showing this (imagine what it'd be with newer data!). and all acknowledge the BLS as completely inaccurate. not to be overly cynical but don't always believe the government. while we would love to take their word for it, they are not completely trustworthy (not trying to sound tea partyish or conspiracy but actual evidence does show that the government actually lies sometimes or is inaccurate like everybody else).
you can choose to trust 1 of 2 groups of people. the prepharmers who will say it's a great field, plenty of jobs, it's easy, don't matter what grades you get what school you go to or how little effort you put into school or debt you incur, OR trust the ones unemployed, already in job market looking, doing the actual hiring, currently working and know of others still looking. you can trust the people experiencing the tough job market (while the economy is doing "so good") or the prepharmers with no clue or experience or realistic expectations, your choice. it's a good thing you're questioning the field it means you're thinking and weighing the risk/benefit not like other prepharmers. assess the risk and do more research searching the forums. the best is to ask as many pharmacists in person in private what they think, that'll give you an idea of what it's like now and how it's gonna be in the future.
