Does one have to graduate from a good Pharmacy school to get a better job?

[iZodliquify]

I hear lawyers have to graduate from a good Law School to get the best job, but Doctors can just graduate from any Med School and get the best job. Is it the same for Pharmacist?

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[PharmDman3901]

I think all you need is a PharmD and have RPh after your name!

 

[ajthebest]

I hear lawyers have to graduate from a good Law School to get the best job, but Doctors can just graduate from any Med School and get the best job. Is it the same for Pharmacist?

I think no matter where you go the "best" job usually is easier to get if you come from a strong background. Even for doctors, the best jobs would usually go to the doctors who have done a top notch residency. It doesn't matter (as much) where you get your MD from, but where you do your residency matters quite a bit.

For pharmacists, I mean, the field is so diverse. If you think the best job is at a conveniently located shoppers drug mart then I'm sure it won't matter where you get your PharmD from. But if the best job, in your opinion, is as an Organ Transplant Specialist at Mayo then where you do your residency would probably matter quite a bit.

 

[twinspharm]

I have asked this question many times to my dad's friends who have graduate degrees. I've asked 3 lawyers, on nuclear engenerr, and a CEO with a masters from stanford.


All them have told me the same thing, it matters very little where you go to school. This will get you your first job only. After that your performance will get you ahead. So a good school does help in the beginning, but after that it is all you.

I've also talked to a pharmacist specifically and they said due to the shortage of pharmacist, as long as you r a liscnesed pharmaicst you'll find a competitive job in retail or mail order. If you want to specialize it helps to go to a better univeristy. Don't think just because you go to a good school that its a gaurantee. If a sudent doesn't apply themsleves, it doesn't matter where they go. Many boss's would rather hire someone who graduate from the top of their class at a so-so school, than someone who graduated in the bottom half of an excellent school

 

[IrishRxMan]

I think no matter where you go the "best" job usually is easier to get if you come from a strong background. Even for doctors, the best jobs would usually go to the doctors who have done a top notch residency. It doesn't matter (as much) where you get your MD from, but where you do your residency matters quite a bit.

For pharmacists, I mean, the field is so diverse. If you think the best job is at a conveniently located shoppers drug mart then I'm sure it won't matter where you get your PharmD from. But if the best job, in your opinion, is as an Organ Transplant Specialist at Mayo then where you do your residency would probably matter quite a bit.

This is possibly the best answer yet to the question, especially the last paragraph. As for residencies, you may not even get a residency based on how they match you up. You have your top picks and they have theirs. If you don't match up with who wanted you, you have two options: either lose out on the residency or go in search of ones that you can live with that haven't matched yet. It's a good idea to go to APhA annual and start poking around in the residency section in the expo and start looking and getting your name out there. It's also a good idea to have business cards made up to give to people. Sure, most will probably toss them, but some may keep them and start a file for you if you impress them and seem interested enough in their program.

As far as grades go, unless you're going to compete for residencies, they don't really matter much. There's no competition for jobs when it comes to grades. Everyone says there are fewer positions available, but there are a large number of baby boomer pharmacists out there that will be retiring fairly soon. The jobs will open up by the time you get out and start looking for a job.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Even residencies don't JUST look for grades, though!

Our residency, and every hospital in our "group" that has a residency, conduct interviews at the big "residency party" in San Diego. They get a pool of applicants, and grades is somewhere mid-range on the list... That kind of surprised me since we've all been told from the get-go that you need stellar grades IN pharmacy school to get a residency but it seems like that might not be such a universal truth.

 

[pharmtechgirl26]

Even residencies don't JUST look for grades, though!

Our residency, and every hospital in our "group" that has a residency, conduct interviews at the big "residency party" in San Diego. They get a pool of applicants, and grades is somewhere mid-range on the list... That kind of surprised me since we've all been told from the get-go that you need stellar grades IN pharmacy school to get a residency but it seems like that might not be such a universal truth.

From what I've heard this is true. You basically need to maintain a decent gpa. I think what is more important is connections. For example, if you want to get a residency in the hospital at your school.. get a job there. If they like you they can accept you into their residency program when the time comes. Also, it helps to be involved in the extracurriculars (apha, snpha, etc).

 

[Nupe954]

I think all you need is a PharmD and have RPh after your name!

Rph has been RIP'd ... the correct education suffix to a pharmacist's name is PharmD

 

[rxlea]

It really depends on the institution...at my institution, they want well-rounded residents. They seek individuals who can maintain a high GPA while being involved in the community and having leadership roles.

If you are going for a big name institution that puts a lot of emphasis on reputation (esp. their own LOL), then certainly where you went to school will matter.

 

[PharmEXP]

So, as a PharmD, would I be considered Dr. PharmEXP?

 

[carbox]

So, as a PharmD, would I be considered Dr. PharmEXP?

Oh God.....

 

[PharmEXP]

Oh God.....

 

[Passion4Sci]

Yes and no!