is it too late?

[chang242]

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I am going to be a Sophomore in college this coming fall, and I have just recently decided on becoming a Pharmacist. However, I have no experience in Pharmacy whatsoever, nor any volunteer experience.

I will job-shadow a pharmacist for one day in the summer (the pharmacist said that it'll only take 4-hours, even though I suggested coming in multiple times). The only jobs that I've had are at Hallmark and OfficeMax. I will also work at a shipping company (out of town) this summer as well. Is it too late for me to become a pharmacist since I have no experience at all?

I had wanted to find a job related to pharmacy this summer, but working at the shipping company and taking summer classes has left me with almost no time. I will definitely try to find volunteer opportunities at hospitals/pharmacies, but I feel that I am still very very very behind. So, I'm freaking out a bit. Any advice/help will be great. Or did I become interested in pharmacy too late?

I just find pharmacy fascinating. Being a pharmacist would be so rewarding because I can help people at both their physical and mental levels. I could help the patients through their illness and pain with my knowledge in medicine as well as counsel them. The patients will always have someone that they can trust and talk to, which is why I find the field of pharmacy so gratifying.

Would volunteer experience be enough though? I am mainly worried because I might not be able to get a job that is pharmacy-related.

 

[ForeverPharm]

I am going to be a Sophomore in college this coming fall, and I have just recently decided on becoming a Pharmacist. However, I have no experience in Pharmacy whatsoever, nor any volunteer experience.

I will job-shadow a pharmacist for one day in the summer (the pharmacist said that it'll only take 4-hours, even though I suggested coming in multiple times). The only jobs that I've had are at Hallmark and OfficeMax. I will also work at a shipping company (out of town) this summer as well. Is it too late for me to become a pharmacist since I have no experience at all?

I had wanted to find a job related to pharmacy this summer, but working at the shipping company and taking summer classes has left me with almost no time. I will definitely try to find volunteer opportunities at hospitals/pharmacies, but I feel that I am still very very very behind. So, I'm freaking out a bit. Any advice/help will be great. Or did I become interested in pharmacy too late?

I just find pharmacy fascinating. Being a pharmacist would be so rewarding because I can help people at both their physical and mental levels. I could help the patients through their illness and pain with my knowledge in medicine as well as counsel them. The patients will always have someone that they can trust and talk to, which is why I find the field of pharmacy so gratifying.

Would volunteer experience be enough though? I am mainly worried because I might not be able to get a job that is pharmacy-related.

It is not too late!

My suggestion is that, if you don't have time working in a pharmacy (given that it might be hard to find or apply to) try to shadow different pharmacists.
4 hours is enough to give you an overal feel of becoming a pharmacist, but many schools would like to see more hours (to see that you know many aspects of being a pharmacist) and some req you to have certain hours, for example, Pacific university reqs at least 40 hours.

You can volunteer at a hospital too, try to find a good position though. I've been volunteering at a hospital, but my job is mainly distribution of medication to the ER, so there is no real exposure to pharmacy!

You still have time taking the pre-reqs. I recommend that you plan for your BS or BA, while taking the pre-reqs. If you can finish the pre-reqs sooner, then you can apply earlier, before you graduate (that is very likely).

I hope that helps and good luck

 

[Pharm47]

Ha! I sure hope its not too late for you...because I've been OUT of college for two years, and I just decided on pharmacy! All I've done is volunteer in an ER (not pharmacy related), and I'm applying right now. If I get in, you can get in...so I'll let ya know.

 

[ajmataz]

My suggestion to you would be to first off, keep your head in the books and do well in the classes you are taking. A strong GPA and PCAT score (if applicable) is the most important above all other areas for an acceptance.

Yes, try to get some exposure to the medical/health field. It doesn't necessarily have to be volunteering (though it is usually easier to access). A paid position is just as highly regarded. Personally, I didn't have any volunteer experience - I was always working. So if you can switch jobs from the shipping position to a medical position, that might work to your advantage.

And it doesn't necessarily HAVE to be under a pharmacist. Definitely get some exposure, but if you can't get a vast amount, then find some other area of medicine/health/even fitness that you can apply to the pharmacy field.

I did a couple summers of chem research, clinical research under a pharmD, but was actually working as a personal training for almost all of my post-undergrad interval (2 years+).

Good luck!

 

[ADN1226]

Its not too late! If you don't get in this year then reapply next year and work towards your BS or BA degree. I'm sure you'll be fine, just balance volunteering, working, and grades as well.

 

[chang242]

It is not too late!

My suggestion is that, if you don't have time working in a pharmacy (given that it might be hard to find or apply to) try to shadow different pharmacists.
4 hours is enough to give you an overal feel of becoming a pharmacist, but many schools would like to see more hours (to see that you know many aspects of being a pharmacist) and some req you to have certain hours, for example, Pacific university reqs at least 40 hours.

You can volunteer at a hospital too, try to find a good position though. I've been volunteering at a hospital, but my job is mainly distribution of medication to the ER, so there is no real exposure to pharmacy!

You still have time taking the pre-reqs. I recommend that you plan for your BS or BA, while taking the pre-reqs. If you can finish the pre-reqs sooner, then you can apply earlier, before you graduate (that is very likely).

I hope that helps and good luck

I am working toward a Biology BS right now. And I actually have my first job-shadowing next Thursday for about 4 hours. Would just going to different pharmacies work? I know that Walgreens and Snyder's allows job-shadowing, and I'll probably just go to each store that's near my area (~7 or more). The pharmacies in the hospitals have said that they don't allow shadowing anymore due to privacy laws.

 

[chang242]

Ha! I sure hope its not too late for you...because I've been OUT of college for two years, and I just decided on pharmacy! All I've done is volunteer in an ER (not pharmacy related), and I'm applying right now. If I get in, you can get in...so I'll let ya know.

Yes, you'll have to let me know! Good Luck!!! 🙂

 

[ajmataz]

I am working toward a Biology BS right now. And I actually have my first job-shadowing next Thursday for about 4 hours. Would just going to different pharmacies work? I know that Walgreens and Snyder's allows job-shadowing, and I'll probably just go to each store that's near my area (~7 or more). The pharmacies in the hospitals have said that they don't allow shadowing anymore due to privacy laws.

I see you are in Minnesota. Where abouts, exactly?

After graduating from Carleton College, I did an internship in Minneapolis where I first got introduced to pharmacy. Let me know if you want some info.

 

[chang242]

I see you are in Minnesota. Where abouts, exactly?

After graduating from Carleton College, I did an internship in Minneapolis where I first got introduced to pharmacy. Let me know if you want some info.

I actually go to the UM-Twin Cities. Any info about an internship would be very helpful! 🙂 Could I do an internship as an undergrad?

 

[ForeverPharm]

I am working toward a Biology BS right now. And I actually have my first job-shadowing next Thursday for about 4 hours. Would just going to different pharmacies work? I know that Walgreens and Snyder's allows job-shadowing, and I'll probably just go to each store that's near my area (~7 or more). The pharmacies in the hospitals have said that they don't allow shadowing anymore due to privacy laws.

Some states allow you to apply for a pharmacy tech certificate w/o requiring you to take classes. I know in case of colorado is true but not california. So CHECK!
it will be great because you can apply for pharmacy tech jobs after you are certified. It looks great on your app too!
if not, you can do many shadowing, but try to BUILD a good relationship with pharmacists, for your LOR.
I know, the problem is spreading here too , there are a few hospitals accept pharmacy volunteers, at least in my area.

 

[ajmataz]

I actually go to the UM-Twin Cities. Any info about an internship would be very helpful! 🙂 Could I do an internship as an undergrad?

I worked at ALLINA Hospital, specifically the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. I applied pretty much around this time for a summer internship at the clinic. It's an AMAZING opportunity. I was pre-med at the time, but not really too sure about going into med school. This program let me see ALL the different areas of the hospital. You get the green light to go anywhere, see anything and shadow anyone. I watched open heart surgery, worked with the preventive cardiology team, shadowed three pharmDs, a PA, NP, etc. They offered me a full time position, but I was leaving and heading back to my home town in Seattle.

My LORs came from two of the staff there.

http://www.mplsheart.org/about/about_opps_internship.asp

 

[chang242]

I worked at ALLINA Hospital, specifically the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation. I applied pretty much around this time for a summer internship at the clinic. It's an AMAZING opportunity. I was pre-med at the time, but not really too sure about going into med school. This program let me see ALL the different areas of the hospital. You get the green light to go anywhere, see anything and shadow anyone. I watched open heart surgery, worked with the preventive cardiology team, shadowed three pharmDs, a PA, NP, etc. They offered me a full time position, but I was leaving and heading back to my home town in Seattle.

My LORs came from two of the staff there.

http://www.mplsheart.org/about/about_opps_internship.asp

Wow! Thanks! That internship sounds really wonderful. But apparently only final semester/quarter undergrads and grad students are eligible. >.< Oh well, that will definitely be something I'll look forward to doing. Thanks so much! 🙂

 

[ajmataz]

Wow! Thanks! That internship sounds really wonderful. But apparently only final semester/quarter undergrads and grad students are eligible. >.< Oh well, that will definitely be something I'll look forward to doing. Thanks so much! 🙂

Actually, I would still apply for this year. The friend who introduced the internship for me was actually only a junior, maybe even a late sophomore when he first started.

The standards may have changed, but it would never hurt to just send in your resume to them. You never know!

If you're serious about this internship, PM and I can give you contact information.

Word.