How to get started.. on pharmacy internship/volunteer?

[88888888]

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I'm a second year in berkeley and I need to start looking to volunteer at a pharmacy store or something..

I don't really have a resume or anything. I never worked or interned before and isn't really that involved with school... kinda haven't really found the time for extracurriculars since after high school.

Anyone have tips to getting a volunteer/intern related to pharmacy?
Is it true that intern, are only for students currently at a pharmacy school? so I wouldn't qualify?


Thanks

 

[Passion4Sci]

Is it true that intern, are only for students currently at a pharmacy school? so I wouldn't qualify?

Technically, that is correct. Some places can still use the term "intern" but you can't get your intern license until your P1.

And please search. I know I personally have written dozens of posts about this throughout the months.

 

[crazybob]

I'm a second year in berkeley and I need to start looking to volunteer at a pharmacy store or something..

I don't really have a resume or anything. I never worked or interned before and isn't really that involved with school... kinda haven't really found the time for extracurriculars since after high school.

Anyone have tips to getting a volunteer/intern related to pharmacy?
Is it true that intern, are only for students currently at a pharmacy school? so I wouldn't qualify?


Thanks

Talk to a preceptor pharmacist who would be willing to give you some training or let you shadow.

One thing to do right now is to do some shadowing with any pharmacist and try to find a job as a pharmacy technician. Then when you are accepted to pharmacy school, you can request to work with a preceptor and let him/her know that you are going to be a pharmacy student and maybe you might be able to learn more from that preceptor and you might get to do a bit more than what the technicians do.

 

[docss26]

Can any current pharmacy student comment on their experience working as an intern while attending pharmacy school? For example, the types of hours, prioritizing, stress? Thank you!

 

[pearljam5a1]

Can any current pharmacy student comment on their experience working as an intern while attending pharmacy school? For example, the types of hours, prioritizing, stress? Thank you!

I can comment a bit about this since I just got hired as an intern. Basically I will work every other weekend from 3 pm to 11 pm. I got hired at a local hospital and will be a glorified tech for my first year or so. As I progress in my studies I will get more involved with things outside of technician work and hopefully more in line with a pharmacist's role. I've worked as a hospital tech for around 6 years so this will be a pretty easy transition.

Sixteen hours every other weekend doesn't seem that bad to me, the only problem as far as stress will be concerned is if I have a test on a Monday after working. I think it's just an exercise in time management though. I will have to do my studying in the mornings on the weekends I work and definitely a lot before my working weekends.

I've found as a P1 that I have a lot more free time than I thought I would. I'm sure this varies by program and also by year, but everything seems very manageable right now and I'm getting A's/B's in my classes. I highly recommend getting a feel for your coursework before starting employment anywhere though. Everyone's ability to handle the balance of life/work/school is different and it's important to find your personal "sweet spot".

 

[SmKN808]

Talk to a preceptor pharmacist who would be willing to give you some training or let you shadow.

One thing to do right now is to do some shadowing with any pharmacist and try to find a job as a pharmacy technician. Then when you are accepted to pharmacy school, you can request to work with a preceptor and let him/her know that you are going to be a pharmacy student and maybe you might be able to learn more from that preceptor and you might get to do a bit more than what the technicians do.

+1...👍😉

 

[docss26]

I can comment a bit about this since I just got hired as an intern. Basically I will work every other weekend from 3 pm to 11 pm. I got hired at a local hospital and will be a glorified tech for my first year or so. As I progress in my studies I will get more involved with things outside of technician work and hopefully more in line with a pharmacist's role. I've worked as a hospital tech for around 6 years so this will be a pretty easy transition.

Sixteen hours every other weekend doesn't seem that bad to me, the only problem as far as stress will be concerned is if I have a test on a Monday after working. I think it's just an exercise in time management though. I will have to do my studying in the mornings on the weekends I work and definitely a lot before my working weekends.

I've found as a P1 that I have a lot more free time than I thought I would. I'm sure this varies by program and also by year, but everything seems very manageable right now and I'm getting A's/B's in my classes. I highly recommend getting a feel for your coursework before starting employment anywhere though. Everyone's ability to handle the balance of life/work/school is different and it's important to find your personal "sweet spot".

Thanks for the insight. It makes sense to me. I currently work for an independent pharmacy and even though I will be able to work weekends, I feel I should find a job with either a hospital or a major retail chain. Is it necessary to work with a major chain prior to graduating to make finding a job easier after graduation?

 

[SmKN808]

I can comment a bit about this since I just got hired as an intern. Basically I will work every other weekend from 3 pm to 11 pm. I got hired at a local hospital and will be a glorified tech for my first year or so. As I progress in my studies I will get more involved with things outside of technician work and hopefully more in line with a pharmacist's role. I've worked as a hospital tech for around 6 years so this will be a pretty easy transition.

Sixteen hours every other weekend doesn't seem that bad to me, the only problem as far as stress will be concerned is if I have a test on a Monday after working. I think it's just an exercise in time management though. I will have to do my studying in the mornings on the weekends I work and definitely a lot before my working weekends.

I've found as a P1 that I have a lot more free time than I thought I would. I'm sure this varies by program and also by year, but everything seems very manageable right now and I'm getting A's/B's in my classes. I highly recommend getting a feel for your coursework before starting employment anywhere though. Everyone's ability to handle the balance of life/work/school is different and it's important to find your personal "sweet spot".

WOW... cOnGrAtzZz!!! pearl 😀

 

[Ice Queen]

I'm a second year in berkeley and I need to start looking to volunteer at a pharmacy store or something..

I don't really have a resume or anything. I never worked or interned before and isn't really that involved with school... kinda haven't really found the time for extracurriculars since after high school.

Anyone have tips to getting a volunteer/intern related to pharmacy?
Is it true that intern, are only for students currently at a pharmacy school? so I wouldn't qualify?


Thanks

Berkeley has a great pre-pharmacy club called PILLS. I'd recommend you get involved with them. I'm sure they'll help you find lots of volunteer and employment opportunities in the area. And if you become an officer, it'll look great on your resume and you'll be able to mention it as leadership experience during your interviews. Good luck!

 

[pearljam5a1]

Thanks for the insight. It makes sense to me. I currently work for an independent pharmacy and even though I will be able to work weekends, I feel I should find a job with either a hospital or a major retail chain. Is it necessary to work with a major chain prior to graduating to make finding a job easier after graduation?

I think finding a job after graduation is all about making yourself more attractive to potential employers. If you're happy at your current job then I would stay there. I wouldn't downplay the experience you get from an independent pharmacy. I don't think it is a lesser experience than a chain, just different. You will most likely be doing some site visits during your first year so just keep your eyes open for any opportunities that come about.

WOW... cOnGrAtzZz!!! pearl 😀

Thanks! 👍

 

[docss26]

I think finding a job after graduation is all about making yourself more attractive to potential employers. If you're happy at your current job then I would stay there. I wouldn't downplay the experience you get from an independent pharmacy. I don't think it is a lesser experience than a chain, just different. You will most likely be doing some site visits during your first year so just keep your eyes open for any opportunities that come about.



Thanks! 👍

I am really happy there. Independent pharmacies are very unrestrictive and we have a lot of freedoms and bend rules major chains dont really do. I feel like I need experience learning their system and how things run in a systematic fashion. Also, if I know the ropes of a walgreens for example, I think they will be more inclined to hire me over someone who would have to learn everything from ground zero.

 

[UES Girl]

I'm a second year in berkeley and I need to start looking to volunteer at a pharmacy store or something..

I don't really have a resume or anything. I never worked or interned before and isn't really that involved with school... kinda haven't really found the time for extracurriculars since after high school.

Anyone have tips to getting a volunteer/intern related to pharmacy?
Is it true that intern, are only for students currently at a pharmacy school? so I wouldn't qualify?


Thanks

Well given how you are a second year at Berkeley, I have some specific pointers for you:

1. Have you joined pills ? They seem to be heavily involved with all kinds of seminars/outreach events and pharmacy related community service. So just by getting involved and participating in the events they have planned, you will be able to get pharmacy-related volunteer experience. It may not be exactly in thepharmacy setting per se, but it will be at least pharmacy related.

2. Have you signed upfor Pham Li mentor program with UCSF ? If you have, you can ask your mentor to perhaps help you seek out a volunteer position.

As you already understand, to be an intern you do have to be a pharmacy student. I just got my pharmacy intern license and it's quite a process with all the paperwork you have to complete, live scan and etc.

 

[88888888]

Cool thanks guys.
I just joined PILLS this year, so that's the only really pharmacy extracurricular I really have right now. Also, I'm looking maybe this winter break, or next summer if I can find a pharmacy that I can possibly volunteer at.
I know a couple pharmacist. One owns his own independently pharmacy, but I don't know him as well, but my parents do. Maybe I could get some connections or something. Another one works in pharmacy in one of the grocery stories. I'll be sure to ask around this upcoming break.

cheburahka and ice queen, berkeley pills must be famous.

 

[UES Girl]

Cool thanks guys.
I just joined PILLS this year, so that's the only really pharmacy extracurricular I really have right now. Also, I'm looking maybe this winter break, or next summer if I can find a pharmacy that I can possibly volunteer at.
I know a couple pharmacist. One owns his own independently pharmacy, but I don't know him as well, but my parents do. Maybe I could get some connections or something. Another one works in pharmacy in one of the grocery stories. I'll be sure to ask around this upcoming break.

cheburahka and ice queen, berkeley pills must be famous.

Not really famous, but when you esentially grew up in San Francisco and go to school with a bunch of people that graduated from Berkeley, you are bound to know about it.

 

[Ice Queen]

Cool thanks guys.
I just joined PILLS this year, so that's the only really pharmacy extracurricular I really have right now. Also, I'm looking maybe this winter break, or next summer if I can find a pharmacy that I can possibly volunteer at.
I know a couple pharmacist. One owns his own independently pharmacy, but I don't know him as well, but my parents do. Maybe I could get some connections or something. Another one works in pharmacy in one of the grocery stories. I'll be sure to ask around this upcoming break.

cheburahka and ice queen, berkeley pills must be famous.

I guess it IS famous. I go to San Jose State and was an officer of the Pre-Pharmacy club here. Somehow guys from pills got our contact info and told us about the NCPPS. I attended the event twice and really enjoyed it.

You should definitely ask your parents to talk to the pharmacist from an independent pharmacy. I heard they take volunteers more often than other places. The pharmacy in a grocery store chain might also be a good option, although you'll have to be hired to start working there. I've worked in such a pharmacy for over 2 years and it was a great experience for me.

 

[88888888]

aright thanks. I'll get a work on it this winter break.. or next summer..