Looking to transfer, need some advice...

[aznsensazn3]

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I'm going to be making my move to pharmacy school in about two weeks to become a P1. I've worked for a big chain for about 9 months and I feel like I'm a pretty good tech. My boss sent an email to district that I wanted to transfer, and an intern coordinator finally got back to me about a month and a half later. She told me that she might have found a location for me, but it is about a half hour drive from where I'll be living. I wanted to try to find a pharmacy closer to me, as there are three within 5 minutes from where I'm at. I spoke to the intern coordinator and I asked if there were any openings any closer to me and if it was okay if I could call around on my own. She told me she'd prefer if I didn't because there are a lot of other interns looking for a position. Would it be sneaky if I ignored her and looked for a position on my own? I really don't want to have to drive too far to work part time. She doesn't really seem like she's doing that great of a job of finding a location for me. Any suggestions?

Another problem I have is that I can't apply for an intern license until the first day of class which is September 7th. Should I call around earlier or should I wait until I get my new intern license?

 

[J ROD]

Doing so wlll more than likely piss her off....so if you can live with that, then I would look and see what folks say....another thing is since she is the coordinator she probably will be contacted if one of the stores decided to hire you.

So, you might have to leave and work for another company.

 

[FruitFly]

call around and when u find one, call her or email her and let her know. 👍

 

[tungsten87]

just be grateful you have an internship. driving 30 minutes is really not a big deal.

 

[Old]

I'm going to be making my move to pharmacy school in about two weeks to become a P1. I've worked for a big chain for about 9 months and I feel like I'm a pretty good tech. My boss sent an email to district that I wanted to transfer, and an intern coordinator finally got back to me about a month and a half later. She told me that she might have found a location for me, but it is about a half hour drive from where I'll be living. I wanted to try to find a pharmacy closer to me, as there are three within 5 minutes from where I'm at. I spoke to the intern coordinator and I asked if there were any openings any closer to me and if it was okay if I could call around on my own. She told me she'd prefer if I didn't because there are a lot of other interns looking for a position. Would it be sneaky if I ignored her and looked for a position on my own? I really don't want to have to drive too far to work part time. She doesn't really seem like she's doing that great of a job of finding a location for me. Any suggestions?

Another problem I have is that I can't apply for an intern license until the first day of class which is September 7th. Should I call around earlier or should I wait until I get my new intern license?

If you read any of the forums on here you will know that there are a million students out there. What ever company you work for will have you work where ever they need you not where you want to. Expect to do alot of traveling and go to training where they ask you. Going behind her back will make her unhappy and will make the odds of your employment there low. "She is not doing that great of a job of finding a location for me". You are not a rock star and she is not your agent. You are one or a bunch of students looking for a job. I would be willing to bet someone will drive there. If it were me- I would thank her and get in your car and go where you are needed.

 

[mike36]

I do not see what the problem is. Like someone else said, 30 minutes is not that far to drive. I have to drive more than that to get to all of my rotation sites in my P4 year.

 

[DASicari]

I'm in the same boat as you. There are several stores near me where I have moved to, however, they are not able to staff me as an intern there because they have enough help. I am very grateful to have an intern position, even if it is a longer drive, but I had to find the position myself by calling around in the new area to the DM and pharmacy sup because my intern coordinator was not on the ball. Also, I can't start working until I have my intern license in CA, which probably won't be for another month.

 

[ucrx]

I'm going to be making my move to pharmacy school in about two weeks to become a P1. I've worked for a big chain for about 9 months and I feel like I'm a pretty good tech. My boss sent an email to district that I wanted to transfer, and an intern coordinator finally got back to me about a month and a half later. She told me that she might have found a location for me, but it is about a half hour drive from where I'll be living. I wanted to try to find a pharmacy closer to me, as there are three within 5 minutes from where I'm at. I spoke to the intern coordinator and I asked if there were any openings any closer to me and if it was okay if I could call around on my own. She told me she'd prefer if I didn't because there are a lot of other interns looking for a position. Would it be sneaky if I ignored her and looked for a position on my own? I really don't want to have to drive too far to work part time. She doesn't really seem like she's doing that great of a job of finding a location for me. Any suggestions?

As others said, I don't think a half hour is a big deal. All of the pharmacies I worked at in school were about a half hour away. It usually gave me time to clear my head and grab something to eat between class and work.

Also, I'm not that surprised that she is placing you in a store that isn't extremely close. The stores right by school probably already have returning students. In the area near my school, you had to drive a little way unless you were at least in P2 year. The only way to get a spot close was to transfer in to replace a graduating student/P4. It wasn't great, but it was something we just had to deal with.

 

[FruitFly]

As others said, I don't think a half hour is a big deal.

Not all half-hour drives are the same!! Depends where you live... Don't settle for it. Continue to look for the best opportunities possible. You should check out the store though, for all you know it's a lot more efficient and a better work environment than the one right next to you. THEN the half-hour drive would be worth it. But if all the stores are clones, I'd want the one closer by.

 

[bananaface]

Call places and ask if they have internship openings coming up without telling them you are a current employee. Anyone else could do this so why should you not do it?

 

[Ackj]

Half hour isn't bad, but if you're working during school, that's another full hour of your day that's gone after classes. My district has a store pretty close to where I live, however they wouldn't put me there because it's a slower store and they don't need any extra help and it wouldn't be a great intern experience anyway. I drive about 25 minutes from home, but I'm not working weekdays during school, only weekends.

 

[J ROD]

If you read any of the forums on here you will know that there are a million students out there. What ever company you work for will have you work where ever they need you not where you want to. Expect to do alot of traveling and go to training where they ask you. Going behind her back will make her unhappy and will make the odds of your employment there low. "She is not doing that great of a job of finding a location for me". You are not a rock star and she is not your agent. You are one or a bunch of students looking for a job. I would be willing to bet someone will drive there. If it were me- I would thank her and get in your car and go where you are needed.

👍

 

[CUpharmD2013]

I'm going to be making my move to pharmacy school in about two weeks to become a P1. I've worked for a big chain for about 9 months and I feel like I'm a pretty good tech. My boss sent an email to district that I wanted to transfer, and an intern coordinator finally got back to me about a month and a half later. She told me that she might have found a location for me, but it is about a half hour drive from where I'll be living. I wanted to try to find a pharmacy closer to me, as there are three within 5 minutes from where I'm at. I spoke to the intern coordinator and I asked if there were any openings any closer to me and if it was okay if I could call around on my own. She told me she'd prefer if I didn't because there are a lot of other interns looking for a position. Would it be sneaky if I ignored her and looked for a position on my own? I really don't want to have to drive too far to work part time. She doesn't really seem like she's doing that great of a job of finding a location for me. Any suggestions?

Another problem I have is that I can't apply for an intern license until the first day of class which is September 7th. Should I call around earlier or should I wait until I get my new intern license?

You're going to be attending Michigan, correct? Which retail chain do you work for? I work for CVS in the SE Michigan area and can maybe help.

 

[Auriel619]

I definitely think it's a better idea for you to call around or visit the store to see if they're hiring or need the help. Your intern coordinator certainly doesn't have to know about this part, and worst case scenario, there are no openings, no big deal.

Best case scenario, you find a intern opening nearby and jump on it, saving yourself the extra hour trip (imagine if you're working 2 days a week, that's an extra 2 hrs plus gas expenses saved) AND find somewhere convenient to work. Honestly I would hate it if after a 10-hour shift I had to drive another half hour back to school.

While Old makes the point that the Intern Coordinator may not like it, you can bet that she is not looking hard enough for you. The only person out there looking for the best deal/most convenient location is YOU because the Coordinator certainly isn't. So I really encourage you to look out for your best interests and again, worst case scenario is nothing happens. Best Case scenario you've just saved a lot of time & grief.

Oh and you could look around for pharmacies other than this big chain. Just make sure the PIC writes you a great LOR so you can drop it off with your resume when u go cold calling

 

[Old]

I definitely think it's a better idea for you to call around or visit the store to see if they're hiring or need the help. Your intern coordinator certainly doesn't have to know about this part, and worst case scenario, there are no openings, no big deal.

Best case scenario, you find a intern opening nearby and jump on it, saving yourself the extra hour trip (imagine if you're working 2 days a week, that's an extra 2 hrs plus gas expenses saved) AND find somewhere convenient to work. Honestly I would hate it if after a 10-hour shift I had to drive another half hour back to school.

While Old makes the point that the Intern Coordinator may not like it, you can bet that she is not looking hard enough for you. The only person out there looking for the best deal/most convenient location is YOU because the Coordinator certainly isn't. So I really encourage you to look out for your best interests and again, worst case scenario is nothing happens. Best Case scenario you've just saved a lot of time & grief.


Someone correct me if I am wrong. The intern coordinator is in charge of hiring and getting the interns hours, schedules and training. Did you think maybe she is sending you to a store that is short handed, troubled or maybe she thinks you have a lot of ability and the store can really use your help. It may give you a chance to shine. It may also prevent you from burning a bridge in an overcrowded job market. I say drive it and thank her for the opportunity.