EC's are so hard to find

[triplerox]

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Members don't see this ad.

Well, sorta.

I spent the entire morning calling over 20+ pharmacies in my area to see if they accept volunteers or if they are hiring and the answer is no for every single one.

Not only that, i contacted the 3 nearest hospital to see if i can volunteer and the answer is no.

what else can i do?

 

[GatorRxGirl]

Try applying online to retail pharmacies or go to volunteermatch.org to find something that interests you.

 

[steveysmith54]

Make a resume if you haven't done so yet, try going to pharmacies and ask to speak to the manager and hand the resume to the manager. Most places you will be applying fro pharmacy clerk position.

 

[inquirer89]

I would also try going to the each pharmacy and try to talk with the pharmacy manager and tell them that you are a pre-pharm student who wants to gain experience. I'm sure they'll more willing to accommodate.ut

But other types of volunteer experiences are good too. They can show your interests, like volunteering to coach kids or build a house. Or if you can volunteer in another hospital department then you can still have the medical experience.

 

[triplerox]

thanks for the encouragement

i guess i was a little bit discouraged and disappointed after spending my entire morning and noon finding those jobs but to no success. i was speaking to the manager on some pharmacies as well and told them im prepharm but the answer is still a no.

i gues si can start by volunteering in some other field for now.

 

[triplerox]

man, whats up with all the hospitals around me not accepting volunteers in their pharmacy. they keep telling me that i can only volunteer around the hospital not pharmacy..they wont even let me shadow them!

im kinda disappointed because im trying hard to find some pharmacist that will let me gain some experience around the pharmacy but i keep getting shot down. im thinking i should just walk up to pharmacists on a random day and just start questioning them about their lifestyles/work lol

 

[Drug Doc]

This is in response to the title:
EC's do NOT have to be pharmacy related. Sports teams, clubs (cultural, social, academic, whatever), research, translating (if you're bilingual)...you can do all kinds of stuff to fill in that EC section. Of course, the pharmacy experience needs to be in there but don't feel you need to limit yourself.

As far as finding a volunteer position goes, it can definitely be a b*tch. So don't give up! Follow the advice people have given you and also try looking for smaller independent pharmacies. They are usually more laid back and you might even be fortunate enough to land a clerk job at one, unlike at the larger retail stores.

Good luck

 

[ADN1226]

You might want to be a general hospital volunteer - then have the volunteer supervisor ask the pharmacist if they would allow you to volunteer in the pharmacy. Thats what I had to do at my hospital, and I was the only volunteer in the pharmacy.

 

[LuvCaramelFraps]

I took a job as a lab assistant at the hospital. The pharmacists were more than happy to let me shadow them. I don't think they'll let just any random person shadow them because of privacy rules. But if you already work for the hospital then it's no problem.
I had your same problem trying to find volunteer opportunities in pharmacy. So then I just decided to work as a lab assistant at the hospital. It turned out great because the lab is always interacting with all types of hospital personnel - physicians, nurses, pharmacists, etc. Everyone wants to know lab results! LoL. Don't give up.

 

[triplerox]

how do i qualify to work as a lab assistant? do i need certain cert/license?

also, i understand i can do some other ec's as well and thats fine. i guess i word my post in a wrong way, what im trying to say is im having a hard time finding volunteer/shadowing opportunity in a pharmacy.

 

[TTUMike]

I wouldn't give up on the idea of volunteering at a hospital in the ER. I spend a lot of my time with the ER pharmacist watching him do his rounds. It has been a great experience which I think will help in the interview process.

 

[fungikid]

Don't give up! My friend e-mailed/mailed over 500 resumes to pharmacies and got 5 replies.

 

[ilovePharmD2]

BTW, how many hours of volunteering is considered very good. I volunteer for meals on wheels sometimes for just once or twice a month from 10am to 12pm. I'm feeling that this might not be enough.

 

[Sparda29]

That's fine.

 

[mrblah]

You might want to be a general hospital volunteer - then have the volunteer supervisor ask the pharmacist if they would allow you to volunteer in the pharmacy. Thats what I had to do at my hospital, and I was the only volunteer in the pharmacy.

this is actually the best way. Get the easier volunteer position and then show your face around, make yourself known. Pharmacy loves free labor.