Difficulty finding job as a pharmacist

[benzocaine01]

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I am a P4 student graduating in May and I hope to pass my board exams within the next few months. I worked as an intern at a few places hoping that by the time I graduated, a pharmacist position would open up but it doesn't seem like that is going to be the case.

Currently have about $85K in loans so it's really stressful to think about not having a job lined up upon graduation.

Just wondering if there is anyone out there in the same boat as me? Or if anyone has advice they can offer. For what it's worth, I'm from Massachusetts. I have thought about relocating if necessary but the idea of having to move is honestly pretty frightening.

 

[Chalupa_Batman86]

MA, Rhode Island, NY, Delaware, NJ are saturated beyond belief. The only thing you can do is piece together part time shifts. You will be driving around like a madman. If nothing else comes along, you better start contacting staffing agencies, though it's no guarantee they'll give you a job either.

 

[zelman]

I am a P4 student graduating in May and I hope to pass my board exams within the next few months. I worked as an intern at a few places hoping that by the time I graduated, a pharmacist position would open up but it doesn't seem like that is going to be the case.

Currently have about $85K in loans so it's really stressful to think about not having a job lined up upon graduation.

Just wondering if there is anyone out there in the same boat as me? Or if anyone has advice they can offer. For what it's worth, I'm from Massachusetts. I have thought about relocating if necessary but the idea of having to move is honestly pretty frightening.

I graduated in MA, and the job offer I got from my employer (chain) was in NY. Prepare to move.

 

[MatCauthon]

Prepare to move. What states do you want to live in? Make sure to register the NAPLEX in all those states. Also, remember that your loan amount is very small and you typically get a 6-month grace period. Even when you start paying your loans, your payment should be pretty small if you use IBR.
Also, stay optimistic. While you need a backup plan, the best time to apply for a job is actually in fall and winter. If you can string together part-time/per diem/staffing jobs until then then you are actually doing great. Getting experience is much more important than finding the perfect job at this point.

Also, why on earth are they opening a new pharmacy school in MA?

 

[Sine Cura]

Hope alone doesn't get you anywhere. In my class, I know people who moved to California (#1 in total population by state) and Texas (#2) just for retail jobs, and they were Massachusetts natives. I am talking Central Valley and west Texas (Midland/Odessa). You will know jerkoffs and idiots in your class get jobs in eastern MA just by knowing people. Such is life.

The time to obtain employment was last year so good luck.

 

[VeeSee]

unless you have connections be ready to look and apply everywhere

 

[Lnsean]

I am a P4 student graduating in May and I hope to pass my board exams within the next few months. I worked as an intern at a few places hoping that by the time I graduated, a pharmacist position would open up but it doesn't seem like that is going to be the case.

Currently have about $85K in loans so it's really stressful to think about not having a job lined up upon graduation.

Just wondering if there is anyone out there in the same boat as me? Or if anyone has advice they can offer. For what it's worth, I'm from Massachusetts. I have thought about relocating if necessary but the idea of having to move is honestly pretty frightening.

If you're anywhere near NJ and eastern PA forget about it...with pathmark closing down recently...even places like CVS and WAGs are getting stacks of applications.

 

[mentos]

MA is the most saturated state. The jobs for 2016 grads were offered last fall. You probably have to go to CA desert or something

 

[Caffeine QAM]

Also, why on earth are they opening a new pharmacy school in MA?

Haha...Why are they opening new pharmacy schools anywhere?

 

[Chalupa_Batman86]

MA is the most saturated state. The jobs for 2016 grads were offered last fall. You probably have to go to CA desert or something

Even that requires some fortune and "good" karma points

 

[FarmD711]

Who have you reached out to? Have you talked to pharmacy supervisors at CVS and Walgreens in MA? I know of two p4s hired in my district two weeks ago. Have you searched the job postings on CVS and Walgreens for MA? There are plenty posted in MA. Even though saturated there is always turnover and CVS/wags is always hiring. Just need to put yourself out there.


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[gwarm01]

Haha...Why are they opening new pharmacy schools anywhere?

To prepare for exciting new pharmacist positions that will emerge after provider status legislation is passed and/or to replace aging baby boomer pharmacists who are forced to retire or die fighting in the impending water wars brought on by global climate change, leading to a terrifying Mad Max style future where gasoline, guns, and a formal education from a very clinically focused pharmacy school are the keys to survival.

 

[ICPharmD]

Hey recent 2015 grad here also from MA honestly keep on looking and asking people from rotations. I was out job hunting for 6 months till I landed a temp job with a temp agency which later became a FT position so don't lose hope yet.


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[YoungEel]

Hey recent 2015 grad here also from MA honestly keep on looking and asking people from rotations. I was out job hunting for 6 months till I landed a temp job with a temp agency which later became a FT position so don't lose hope yet.


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Please tell people who are thinking about pharmacy school to reconsider unless they have an angle that makes them marketable coming out of school. Otherwise, it's tough. I wonder why people keep entering knowing that it will not be easy after?

 

[ICPharmD]

Please tell people who are thinking about pharmacy school to reconsider unless they have an angle that makes them marketable coming out of school. Otherwise, it's tough. I wonder why people keep entering knowing that it will not be easy after?

Yeah I have been dissuading a lot of people to pursue a career in pharmacy due to the extremely saturated market here. If you're already stuck in the field you just gotta keep at it unfortunately.