Getting Experience During School

[SovietPistol]

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So I'm in my first year of pharmacy school (University at Buffalo). I'm a bit older than my classmates, and all of my previous work experience has nothing to do with pharmacy. I have been trying like crazy to get a pharm tech job, as I really want some sort of experience, not to mention a little bit of money would help. There's nothing out here! I blame it on D'youville.

A friend of mine left her position for another one, recommended me, I went to the interview and they loved me and hired me, and then 2 days later I was (I guess you can say) un-hired, because they decided to give another tech the hours instead.

All the walking in stores and being rejected, and the calling and being rejected is getting to be demoralizing. I really want an internship this summer too, but it's looking more and more like that isn't happening.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, how important is it that I get that experience right now? Also, any other tips for getting a tech job? I don't care where or how. From my shadowings and everything I know I really like this profession, but I don't know how to get my foot in the door.

 

[PharmDstudent]

I've been wanting to write about something like this for awhile...
Basically, your experience as a tech or intern could very well shape your career. For example, I've worked for 2 major retail chains as a tech/intern and then as a pharmacist, not grocery stores, disc. stores, or independents. And I've worked for one Catholic hospital and soon to be two, as a tech and then as a pharmacist.
So, I have a theory that where you work as a tech or intern may be similar to where you work as a pharmacist, which makes your experiences during school very important.

 

[apteryx]

trying to find a pharmacy job in buffalo was like pulling teeth. I was in the same boat as you (except in pre-pharm/finishing my chem degree), and the pharmacies just weren't biting. I'd go as far to say that even if d'whoville wasn't there, you'd still have a hard time finding a job, just because a)buffalo isn't exactly a thriving area, and b) lots of people trying to get into UB SoPPS. It was the same no matter where I lived in the country, too. It seems like it just takes patience and being in the right place at the right time.

 

[SovietPistol]

trying to find a pharmacy job in buffalo was like pulling teeth. I was in the same boat as you (except in pre-pharm/finishing my chem degree), and the pharmacies just weren't biting. I'd go as far to say that even if d'whoville wasn't there, you'd still have a hard time finding a job, just because a)buffalo isn't exactly a thriving area, and b) lots of people trying to get into UB SoPPS. It was the same no matter where I lived in the country, too. It seems like it just takes patience and being in the right place at the right time.

Well this makes me feel a bit better. I know about the right place at the right time thing...the people I know who have got jobs just randomly walked in a place and they had an opening. Everywhere I'm calling, they say they have nothing, or they say fill out the online application (which leads to nothing, as always).

I also absolutely hate and dread walking into places, asking for a job, and getting rejected. I can't do it more than a few times before I just want to scream. It's even worse when you walk in and see someone from your school behind the counter. I don't mind calling, but that doesn't work either.

Oh well, I guess it's not THAT important at this very moment, because I'm only in my 2nd semester. But still, it sucks going from working a full time job with your bachelor's degree, to getting nothing while the 19 year olds in your class get all this experience.

 

[mustang sally]

So I'm in my first year of pharmacy school (University at Buffalo). I'm a bit older than my classmates, and all of my previous work experience has nothing to do with pharmacy. I have been trying like crazy to get a pharm tech job, as I really want some sort of experience, not to mention a little bit of money would help. There's nothing out here! I blame it on D'youville.

A friend of mine left her position for another one, recommended me, I went to the interview and they loved me and hired me, and then 2 days later I was (I guess you can say) un-hired, because they decided to give another tech the hours instead.

All the walking in stores and being rejected, and the calling and being rejected is getting to be demoralizing. I really want an internship this summer too, but it's looking more and more like that isn't happening.

I guess what I'm trying to ask is, how important is it that I get that experience right now? Also, any other tips for getting a tech job? I don't care where or how. From my shadowings and everything I know I really like this profession, but I don't know how to get my foot in the door.

I have had the same experience. I found that it was easier to get summer internships, though I had to leave my family and go to another town to get my intern hours. I would recommend moving to another area to do a summer internship if that's a possibility for you. It ended up being less than an ideal situation but at least I met my state's intern requirements!

People always say on here that you should work during school, but I know it has not been possible for quite a few people in my class. There are just too many pharmacy students and not enough intern positions to go around. 👎

 

[Praziquantel86]

It's definitely a tough market. Hiring at hospitals generally doesn't occur until later in the year (late March, at least), so you may want to wait for those opportunities. Once this year's P4 interns have left (me!), the chains will have new availability for P1 interns. You might also want to consider independents, LTC, etc.

Definitely get your name out there, and make the most of your IPPEs. You get a chance to have some one-on-one time with a lot of different people, so get your name out there. I got my job that way, as did some of my classmates. It's not easy, but it's absolutely doable.

 

[crazybob]

If you ask around, you can get contact info for DOPs and PICs you can talk to about positions. Sometimes they may tell you to try other locations, and that's all you can do in the cases of hospitals and chains. With independents, if you just go talk to them in person, they may be able to tell you more about what's available close to them.

Other times you just have to ask professors and pharmacists at your school and ask them to let you know when there is an opening.

 

[SovietPistol]

It's definitely a tough market. Hiring at hospitals generally doesn't occur until later in the year (late March, at least), so you may want to wait for those opportunities. Once this year's P4 interns have left (me!), the chains will have new availability for P1 interns. You might also want to consider independents, LTC, etc.

Definitely get your name out there, and make the most of your IPPEs. You get a chance to have some one-on-one time with a lot of different people, so get your name out there. I got my job that way, as did some of my classmates. It's not easy, but it's absolutely doable.

Yeah my preceptors for my IPPEs, after I asked them about jobs and all that, just complained about the market for a while. One of them showed me the huge stack of resumes and stuff people already gave him.

But I am really interested in a hospital position (who isn't?). How do you go about getting something in a hospital around here? Monitoring what and when they're hiring? Volunteering?

I'm definitely not going to give up though. A lot of my classmates seem to want jobs but aren't doing too much about it. I'm just going to keep my foot on the gas until something comes around.

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

Yeah my preceptors for my IPPEs, after I asked them about jobs and all that, just complained about the market for a while. One of them showed me the huge stack of resumes and stuff people already gave him.

But I am really interested in a hospital position (who isn't?). How do you go about getting something in a hospital around here? Monitoring what and when they're hiring? Volunteering?

I'm definitely not going to give up though. A lot of my classmates seem to want jobs but aren't doing too much about it. I'm just going to keep my foot on the gas until something comes around.

I was able to get a hospital position during school through a faculty relationship. Build those relationships with faculty, ask about writing a newsletter or working on research with them. Maybe some of your faculty are involved in pharmacy run clinic sites or other practice sites where you could volunteer/shadow/intern, you never know until you step up and ask. Some blocks they may not have P4 students with them or residents and may be more than happy to have you there if you are motivated.

These relationships may help you find a position and it will make it much easier to find a faculty letter of recommendation come residency application time if you decide to go that route.

Personally, I would have applied for the summer Public Health Service pharmacy internship if I knew about it early enough. I have heard great things about the program and it is a unique experience that not many students get to do.
http://www.usphs.gov/student/jrcostep.aspx

This site also lists some unique summer internships: http://careers.pharmacytimes.com/articles/B66094EC.asp

Good Luck...keep up the positive attitude!

 

[Argentium]

I was looking at the list and saw Berlex ... which was acquired by Bayer in 2008. So the list is kind of old, to say the least.

I was able to get a hospital position during school through a faculty relationship. Build those relationships with faculty, ask about writing a newsletter or working on research with them. Maybe some of your faculty are involved in pharmacy run clinic sites or other practice sites where you could volunteer/shadow/intern, you never know until you step up and ask. Some blocks they may not have P4 students with them or residents and may be more than happy to have you there if you are motivated.

These relationships may help you find a position and it will make it much easier to find a faculty letter of recommendation come residency application time if you decide to go that route.

Personally, I would have applied for the summer Public Health Service pharmacy internship if I knew about it early enough. I have heard great things about the program and it is a unique experience that not many students get to do.
http://www.usphs.gov/student/jrcostep.aspx

This site also lists some unique summer internships: http://careers.pharmacytimes.com/articles/B66094EC.asp

Good Luck...keep up the positive attitude!

 

[pharmkj]

I would encourage that you keep on looking because no only do you get some extra spending money. But I found that working while I was in school really helped me to remember some of the drugs, the dosing frequency especially for therapeutics (or something similar disease state management).

If you want to work in retail I would call random stores in the area and ask to speak to a pharmacist (technicians pretend they are taking your info down but dont). Then tell the pharmacist you are a student wanting an internship and ask for the district managers contact info. Then call the DM directly and most likely they will help with speeding up the process and they have a better idea of other stores within the district where they might need students.

For hospital is really hard to get into. id say its all based on luck and timing. So even though they may not need you today, tomorrow is a different story so keep calling the pharmacy department.

Getting an internship is really important because the market is getting tighter. Most companies arent too keen on hiring new grad interns if they didnt work for their company. If you had no experience with that certain company, they will only hire you after graduation if you are willing to relocate to the boondocks for them. Based on the slow market, I would even tell you to choose a good company NOW while you are still an intern... because most likely they will be the ones hiring you after you graduate.

 

[SovietPistol]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I guess I'm going to call up some random pharmacies tomorrow, hope for a hit. And if nothing materializes, I'll probably just end up crying for a while, maybe I'll eat a whole tub of hummus or something. Stay in bed all day with my cat. This is depressing.

 

[bacillus1]

If you don't get a pharmacy job soon, there are plenty of summer opportunities that aren't pharmacy related per se but still look good on ur resume. I know Philly/Pittsburgh have a public health internship for students in those cities, see if Buffalo has something like that as well. Also there are some teaching opportunities. I have actually never spent a summer working in a pharmacy for the whole summer. Maybe this is why I don't have a hospital job (still holding on to my retail job, just scheduled it around the summer programs I did), but I think I had a much better time than being cooped up in a store or hospital, and who knows, these programs might look good on my resume to someone.

 

[PumpkinSmasher]

I was looking at the list and saw Berlex ... which was acquired by Bayer in 2008. So the list is kind of old, to say the least.

Haha, yeah I figured it was an old list, but at least it is a starting point for looking at managed care and industry opportunities.🙄

To the OP, remember no matter where you end up, every internship is an interview, so work your butt off and go out of your way to meet everyone you can. You never know who may be able to put in a good word for you in the future, relationships matter a great deal, especially in this tight market. You never know, if you work hard and a company likes you during your last year, they may present you with an offer right then and there.

I urge all students, make those relationships now. If you are in retail, make sure your DM knows who you are and if you are in a hospital make sure the pharmacy director knows who you are.

Good luck guys!

 

[PharmDstudent]

I would encourage that you keep on looking because no only do you get some extra spending money. But I found that working while I was in school really helped me to remember some of the drugs, the dosing frequency especially for therapeutics (or something similar disease state management).

If you want to work in retail I would call random stores in the area and ask to speak to a pharmacist (technicians pretend they are taking your info down but dont). Then tell the pharmacist you are a student wanting an internship and ask for the district managers contact info. Then call the DM directly and most likely they will help with speeding up the process and they have a better idea of other stores within the district where they might need students.

For hospital is really hard to get into. id say its all based on luck and timing. So even though they may not need you today, tomorrow is a different story so keep calling the pharmacy department.

Getting an internship is really important because the market is getting tighter. Most companies arent too keen on hiring new grad interns if they didnt work for their company. If you had no experience with that certain company, they will only hire you after graduation if you are willing to relocate to the boondocks for them. Based on the slow market, I would even tell you to choose a good company NOW while you are still an intern... because most likely they will be the ones hiring you after you graduate.

I couldn't have said the last paragraph better myself! That's how it is for retail, and I think hospitals tend to hire someone with similar experience(s), because they may or may not have any of their own interns to hire depending on the school year. So use your time during pharmacy school wisely! 😉

 

[spacecowgirl]

I will second the idea of summer internships. We have one here that we get lots of applicants for. I think Pfizer does one too if you're willing to travel.

 

[crazybob]

I will second the idea of summer internships. We have one here that we get lots of applicants for. I think Pfizer does one too if you're willing to travel.

Does it involve visas and passports?

 

[spacecowgirl]

No. I mean in the US.

 

[SovietPistol]

Just got a call...I have an interview in a couple of weeks for a hospital internship this summer. That's exciting!

I'm not optimistic that I'll actually get it, but it's nice to know that applying everywhere finally resulted in something. Now I just have to figure out how to crush the interview.

 

[Its Z]

Just got a call...I have an interview in a couple of weeks for a hospital internship this summer. That's exciting!

I'm not optimistic that I'll actually get it, but it's nice to know that applying everywhere finally resulted in something. Now I just have to figure out how to crush the interview.

If they don't hire you, offer to volunteer. That should eventually get you the job.

 

[PharmDstudent]

Just got a call...I have an interview in a couple of weeks for a hospital internship this summer. That's exciting!

I'm not optimistic that I'll actually get it, but it's nice to know that applying everywhere finally resulted in something. Now I just have to figure out how to crush the interview.

Crush the interview? You won't care what they pay you, how they pay you, when they pay you (so long as it's before 2012), when you have to work or where, and you will learn as much as you can from leeches to noxious fat emulsion. How's that?

 

[Filler]

If they don't hire you, offer to volunteer. That should eventually get you the job.

👍

Worked for me..

 

[fiorio]

it's important to get experience during school
just keep on trying
when i was p1, it took me 6 months, 10+ applications, 6 interviews, finally had an offer in June. I was so lucky.🙂