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As the title suggests, I have nothing to show for my 2 years in pharmacy school. I get good grades (>3.5 GPA), but besides that, I am not involved in anything.
I'm in some organizations and I've participated in some events, but I'm merely a member. We recently had some elections, and I realized that this year, my P2 year, was my last year to become involved and get a position, so I could do SOMETHING in my P3 year. But alas, this realization came way too late.
I do work for a chain and I've been with them for 5 years. I was banking on a summer internship with the company but just recently found out that I was denied. Now I realize how fragile I am in this competitive job market.
I don't have plans to do a residency; I enjoy working in a community setting and would love to get a retail position.
Any thoughts on what I can do in my P3 year to make up for my lack of involvement?
n=1Dude, or duddete, dont worry.
You have two years left to start serious networking. I mean know as many pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy drivers as possible for the next two years. Many here are A type, smart people who will argue that you will only be competitive if you have a stellar CV (see Z's) thread. That is not all true.
Im not BS-ing you. How about this for proof. I had no work experience, no clubs/organizations thru pharm school, not a single professional meeting, no residency, 3.65 gpa yet had 2 hospital offers, LTC and retail. The kicker is this is all in the saturated east cost. I picked LTC.
I cant overemphasize the importance of networking. Know the right people and doors will open for you my friend. Add a touch of good attitude.
I do think that SDN has more than its fair share of type A personalities. Not that I advocate laziness, etc. but give me a break - it's not THAT hard to get a job.
I honestly do not think being in an organization is a big deal. Having a lot of work experiences and working in different places will take you far.
I didn't have any leadership position in organizations during pharmacy school.
And now all you have is a residency, your own business, and more job offers than you can handle. Obviously you really missed out not wasting your time in student orgs.
I am not implying that student orgs are always a waste of time (even if that is how i feel).
I do think that SDN has more than its fair share of type A personalities. Not that I advocate laziness, etc. but give me a break - it's not THAT hard to get a job.
Type A personality students already have a full time job...Being GUNNERS!
Shhhhhh. Gunners don't talk about gunning
Thats true, but guess who im gonna refer next time there is an opening at my place- someone i know. Most pharmacist at my place are there through referrals.
Im not sure if owl is being sarcastic about how easy/hard it is to get a job but we had 20 apps for a job that ended up being filled internally.
I wasnt being sarcastic- i do genuinely believe that SDN forums select the smart, driven individuals, and they sure go places. No denying that. Someone pointed out that n is not sufficient to make statistically significant conclusions. Thats true, but guess who im gonna refer next time there is an opening at my place- someone i know. Most pharmacist at my place are there through referrals.
Im not sure if owl is being sarcastic about how easy/hard it is to get a job but we had 20 apps for a job that ended up being filled internally.
I don't think any one thing gets the "most points"; leadership isn't more valued than good clinical decision making skills and understanding, which it sounds like you are gaining. I think you are being much too hard on yourself as you sound very well rounded and successful overall.So I'm starting to freak out about the leadership stuff. I've been on the executive board for our chapter of the state organization, served on an advisory group for ASHP, been an abstract reviewer for AACP (not really leadership but a cool experience), and that's pretty much it. Is that enough for top residencies (yale, BMC, Mayo, Hopkins, etc) or am I pretty much screwed? It's looking like I'm going to pull off the 3.5 and next semester I'm going to bust my ass for a 3.6 with hopefully a 4.0 semester. I'll have a few publications by the time I enter the match and I'm going to pick the hardest rotations...working on getting one at the WHO too. I'm going to strive for maybe one at the FDA.
No Rho Chi though. Going to try again next year for PLS. Dropped out of the frat for personal reasons that weren't my fault.
It's two years in and I feel so behind compared to some of my classmates in terms of leadership big popularity contest and they all vote for their friends
Tomorrow is nomination day for class rep and I'm wondering if I should give it a shot.
Edit: I'm also in the COP jazz band. Research experience, rural health program, PhD blah blah.
If leadership gets the highest points, I don't know what I'll do
So I'm starting to freak out about the leadership stuff. I've been on the executive board for our chapter of the state organization, served on an advisory group for ASHP, been an abstract reviewer for AACP (not really leadership but a cool experience), and that's pretty much it. Is that enough for top residencies (yale, BMC, Mayo, Hopkins, etc) or am I pretty much screwed? It's looking like I'm going to pull off the 3.5 and next semester I'm going to bust my ass for a 3.6 with hopefully a 4.0 semester. I'll have a few publications by the time I enter the match and I'm going to pick the hardest rotations...working on getting one at the WHO too. I'm going to strive for maybe one at the FDA.
No Rho Chi though. Going to try again next year for PLS. Dropped out of the frat for personal reasons that weren't my fault.
It's two years in and I feel so behind compared to some of my classmates in terms of leadership big popularity contest and they all vote for their friends
Tomorrow is nomination day for class rep and I'm wondering if I should give it a shot.
Edit: I'm also in the COP jazz band. Research experience, rural health program, PhD blah blah.
If leadership gets the highest points, I don't know what I'll do
I don't think any one thing gets the "most points"; leadership isn't more valued than good clinical decision making skills and understanding, which it sounds like you are gaining. I think you are being much too hard on yourself as you sound very well rounded and successful overall.
Only run for class rep if you really want to be the class rep. It would be a bit of a curse if you only did it for CV reasons and were elected.
Lea, what are your ultimate goals? Will you achieve them through your PhD program , or a residency program? I'm not saying you can't do both, but is it worth running yourself into the ground over?
"Leadership" doesn't always come through an elected position. It can start from the bottom up as well.
Dude, or duddete, dont worry.
You have two years left to start serious networking. I mean know as many pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, pharmacy drivers as possible for the next two years. Many here are A type, smart people who will argue that you will only be competitive if you have a stellar CV (see Z's) thread. That is not all true.
Im not BS-ing you. How about this for proof. I had no work experience, no clubs/organizations thru pharm school, not a single professional meeting, no residency, 3.65 gpa yet had 2 hospital offers, LTC and retail. The kicker is this is all in the saturated east cost. I picked LTC.
I cant overemphasize the importance of networking. Know the right people and doors will open for you my friend. Add a touch of good attitude.
If this was more than 5 years ago then it doesn't count. LOL...
I always wonder if some types of leadership experiences or involvement are considered more valuable than others. I almost feel that work-based leadership might be more valued than school-based, but this is just a guess on my part.
I don't think any one thing gets the "most points"; leadership isn't more valued than good clinical decision making skills and understanding, which it sounds like you are gaining. I think you are being much too hard on yourself as you sound very well rounded and successful overall.
Only run for class rep if you really want to be the class rep. It would be a bit of a curse if you only did it for CV reasons and were elected.
That's what I'm hoping! I have lots of work experience.