Internship vs. Tech?

[TV09]

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I'm new to the SDN forum, and was hoping you guys could help me out with a predicament I'm going through. I'm a junior in college right now and I am trying to decide which one to do. I want to either get an internship over the summer or start working as a Pharm tech soon or in the summer. The only problem is that I have to take a couple pre reqs for pharm school this summer at another school since my school doesnt offer them. Any input would be appreciated.

 

[sublime86]

If you are still completing your pre-reqs, you can't get an internship (at least in Florida). To get an internship, you need an internship license from the state, and to qualify for one, you must be accepted and enrolled in a university's pharmacy program. This is because interns are allowed to perform any of the pharmacist's duties (if the pharmacist allows them to). Again, at least in Florida. Therefore, you should be looking for a job as a pharm tech.


Just as a side note:
It might be a good idea for future posters to point out which state they're in since so many answers depend on which state they're referring to.

 

[loneranger]

i say start out as a clerk, since you are a junior in college. Get 1 year experience under your belt and apply for a tech license during your senior year.

 

[pekingduck]

If you are still completing your pre-reqs, you can't get an internship (at least in Florida). To get an internship, you need an internship license from the state, and to qualify for one, you must be accepted and enrolled in a university's pharmacy program. This is because interns are allowed to perform any of the pharmacist's duties (if the pharmacist allows them to). Again, at least in Florida. Therefore, you should be looking for a job as a pharm tech.


Just as a side note:
It might be a good idea for future posters to point out which state they're in since so many answers depend on which state they're referring to.

Same in nevada. internship is only for pharm school students. in Nevada, you can not get a pharm tech job without a license. so normally people start with pharmacy clerk. and ask the manager to train you for the pharm tech. only after youre a licensed pharm tech, then you can fill prescriptions.

 

[chicafarmacista]

I got my tech license while working in the pharmacy, and I'm doing my pre-reqs as a full-time student in a comm. college, in TX might I add. If you apply to Walgreens, they will educate you, pay for the PTCB, and your state board registration. Plus you get paid while you are in the PTCB training classes. This will give you the knowledge of drugs and customer service in one setting, and help you determine whether or not you want to actually do pharmacy. After working here, I think I'd rather be a P.A.🙁 Just kidding.

 

[TV09]

I'm sorry, when I said internship, I was refferring to one not associated with pharmacy. I'm from NY and im going to school in MA. thanks for the replies so far.

 

[TV09]

ttt...anyone have any opinions or suggestions?

 

[sdn1977]

ttt...anyone have any opinions or suggestions?

Well....are there internships available within the field you have been studying? Are these internships located close to the school where you need or want to get the prereqs. done?

What is your purpose for either the internship or the tech job? If its money...I think you find the job that will pay you the most. If its experience, the intern position will further your career, perhaps, within that field, but that is not pharmacy & you seem to want to pursue pharmacy (or are you still undecided?)

If you're looking for experience within the field of pharmacy, a tech position would be a better choice than an intern position in an unrelated field. However, you can't just walk in & apply for a tech position. I'm in CA so I don't know NY law or MA law. Find out what it takes to be a tech in those states. Usually, you have to be registered, which often involves fillin out a form & paying money - a time consuming process in CA (months!!!!) unfortunately. However, you may need to take a test for certification. So, you need to pursue what requirements are in the states you're interested in.

So....ask yourself.....do you want to be a pharmacist? If so, you need some exposure at some point - either working as a clerk, tech or a volunteer within healthcare or shadowing.

If you need money....pursue the job which will allow you to make what you might be able to earn while still pursuing other avenues of pharmacy exposure.

Does that help at all??? Sorry, I can't tell you what to do, but hopefully, I've given yourself some questions to ask yourself so you can come up with your own answer.


Good luck!

 

[WestCoastPharmD]

Easy answer- do both.

Do your internship, go to class, and volunteer at a pharmacy one or two days for a few hours during the weekend. Be successful in that and you can claim focus and the ability to multitask- last I heard pharmacy schools liked that.