Internships?

[FarscapeGirl]

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I know people get into pharmacy school without doing any internships, volunteering, job-shadowing, etc. But I'd really like to at least job-shadow a couple pharmacists to see what exactly their day-to-day life is like. Four years and school loans is a big commitment!

How did everyone go about getting job-shadowing and/or volunteering experience? Any advice? I have some ideas, but if anyone is willing to write about their experiences, it'd be much appreciated!

 

[Hosstheboss]

There are two things you can probably do. You can call a local hospital and ask the pharmacy manager if it could be possibly if you can observe a pharmacist for the day or possibly volunteer in some manner. They may say no but it doesn't hurt to ask. You could also go into a local pharmacy chain like Rite Aid or Walgreens and speak with a pharmacist there. It is unlikely that you will be able to volunteer there but you may be able to get a part-time job. In both circumstances explain to the person that you are thinking about a career in pharmacy and you'd be surprised how receptive they can be. That's what I did and I got a job at an Eckerds as well as loads of great experience. As far as I know, at least in New York, you can't intern until you finish your first year of professional studies at pharmacy school so don't ask to intern. Best of luck.

 

[PharmacyAdvisor]

If you are just looking to volunteer you could try your local health service agency that primarily deals with low income patients.

The next best thing is to convince an independent pharmacists to let you shadow him or her.

 

[Hels2007]

Ask a friendly pharmacy student to talk to their employer about you shadowing.

When I was working for Walgreen's as an intern, that's all I needed to do to get my foreign pharmacy exchange student an opportunity to shadow at Walgreen's for a couple days. I called a neighboring store that was less crazy than us, and asked the manager if he could go there. The manager said "sure, just call me the day before so I will remember" and that was it. 🙂 I think people are reluctant to just take someone off the street (after all, you might be after the vicodin, not experience), but if someone they know kind of gives their word for you, they take you.