Hi all, thank you for giving me a bit of your time to read this. Background: I'm a P2 going into my P3 year getting really interested in working for the Pharma industry.
I have some questions about industry pharmacy. First off, what should I do to get myself most competitive for midyear and the fellowship process? I think Pharma can offer great and rewarding careers, the problem is getting your foot in the door. My GPA is good, I've done independent research (with a poster presentation and publication submitted; Yay!), I have pharmacy and leadership experience and am starting my own chapter of IPhO (Industry Pharmacist Organization) at my school. I have the opportunity to pursue a PharmD/MBA program, yet am not currently enrolled (should I pursue this for 40k?). I'll have my BS in Pharm Sci by the end of this summer. What else should I try to do to get myself as competitive as can be for fellowships and subsequent employment?
Is industry pharmacy real, or is it just something shiny and glamorous you read about in a magazine? I know a handful of people who work in the Pharma industry, but most got there by luck of the draw. With how much supply of PharmD's there are (especially in recent years), how likely is it that industry actually 'checks out'? I am not trying to sound desperate, but I went into pharmacy school on the dumb-ass 2+4 early acceptance scam because my parents said 'Yeah, do pharmacy. There's science in it and you make lots of money.' I didn't question it. I shadowed retail in high school and thought 'yeah this ain't bad for 100+k/yr'. Now with more retail experience, I want nothing to do with it. Clinical pharmacy is alright, but I'll be honest, I ****ing hate needles and don't want to kill somebody either. Industry sounds bad-ass. Working for Big Pharma to complete projects that actually have market-wide impacts- all while making a pretty penny. Sounds good to me! I've met with MSL's and their roles are pretty interesting. I don't know what exactly else is out there as my school is pretty small and lacks a lot of industry connections. What other specific roles in the industry can PharmD's hold?
So in short recap:
I have some questions about industry pharmacy. First off, what should I do to get myself most competitive for midyear and the fellowship process? I think Pharma can offer great and rewarding careers, the problem is getting your foot in the door. My GPA is good, I've done independent research (with a poster presentation and publication submitted; Yay!), I have pharmacy and leadership experience and am starting my own chapter of IPhO (Industry Pharmacist Organization) at my school. I have the opportunity to pursue a PharmD/MBA program, yet am not currently enrolled (should I pursue this for 40k?). I'll have my BS in Pharm Sci by the end of this summer. What else should I try to do to get myself as competitive as can be for fellowships and subsequent employment?
Is industry pharmacy real, or is it just something shiny and glamorous you read about in a magazine? I know a handful of people who work in the Pharma industry, but most got there by luck of the draw. With how much supply of PharmD's there are (especially in recent years), how likely is it that industry actually 'checks out'? I am not trying to sound desperate, but I went into pharmacy school on the dumb-ass 2+4 early acceptance scam because my parents said 'Yeah, do pharmacy. There's science in it and you make lots of money.' I didn't question it. I shadowed retail in high school and thought 'yeah this ain't bad for 100+k/yr'. Now with more retail experience, I want nothing to do with it. Clinical pharmacy is alright, but I'll be honest, I ****ing hate needles and don't want to kill somebody either. Industry sounds bad-ass. Working for Big Pharma to complete projects that actually have market-wide impacts- all while making a pretty penny. Sounds good to me! I've met with MSL's and their roles are pretty interesting. I don't know what exactly else is out there as my school is pretty small and lacks a lot of industry connections. What other specific roles in the industry can PharmD's hold?
So in short recap:
- How can I make myself most competitive for fellowships/industry employment?
- Should I pursue my PharmD/MBA (another $40k in loans)?
- How realistic is getting a job in the Pharma industry/corporate pharmacy?
- What specific roles can PharmD's in the industry have?