Most desirable internship positions in the Atlanta area; need feedback!

[Me+PharmD]

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I'm getting ready to start Mercer's program, and after completing my undergrad for the past three years while on active duty as a crew chief in the Air Force, I'm pretty sure that I'll be extremely bored if I don't work. I'd like some feedback on savvy internship programs with different companies throughout the Atlanta area. I'm acclimated to crappy shifts and no lunch breaks/ regular breaks, so these aspects of a job do not bother me (people shouldn't complain about not getting a break when they make >100K/ year). So, please be honest and provide a little feedback.

 

[rxlynn]

I'm getting ready to start Mercer's program, and after completing my undergrad for the past three years while on active duty as a crew chief in the Air Force, I'm pretty sure that I'll be extremely bored if I don't work. I'd like some feedback on savvy internship programs with different companies throughout the Atlanta area. I'm acclimated to crappy shifts and no lunch breaks/ regular breaks, so these aspects of a job do not bother me (people shouldn't complain about not getting a break when they make >100K/ year). So, please be honest and provide a little feedback.

Just to let you know, Mercer will require you to do 16 hours of volunteer work per semester, and either your fall or your spring semester you will be required to do 56 hours in a retail pharmacy environment. This will be done in 4 hours per week, same time each week, at an assigned location unless they change something about how they structure the early practice experience from this year. So, take that into account before you make too much of a job commitment.

I'll think some on your actual question and try to write back tomorrow.

 

[MountainPharmD]

I'm getting ready to start Mercer's program, and after completing my undergrad for the past three years while on active duty as a crew chief in the Air Force, I'm pretty sure that I'll be extremely bored if I don't work. I'd like some feedback on savvy internship programs with different companies throughout the Atlanta area. I'm acclimated to crappy shifts and no lunch breaks/ regular breaks, so these aspects of a job do not bother me (people shouldn't complain about not getting a break when they make >100K/ year). So, please be honest and provide a little feedback.

So what does how much you make per year have to do with getting a break? You have alot to learn there newbie. The purpose of a break is so you can relax and clear your mind. Try working 10 and 12 hours shifts without a break. Your chances of making an error ard killing someone are much greater.

Maybe you should start school first before you decide you will be bored. I am quite sure you will have all you can handle and then some. The civillian life isn't gonna be a cake walk. Unlike the military you don't have someone telling you what to do and making sure you do it.

 

[rxlynn]

I'm getting ready to start Mercer's program, and after completing my undergrad for the past three years while on active duty as a crew chief in the Air Force, I'm pretty sure that I'll be extremely bored if I don't work. I'd like some feedback on savvy internship programs with different companies throughout the Atlanta area. I'm acclimated to crappy shifts and no lunch breaks/ regular breaks, so these aspects of a job do not bother me (people shouldn't complain about not getting a break when they make >100K/ year). So, please be honest and provide a little feedback.

Well, if you are interested in retail intern positions, there is no shortage in the Atlanta area. When we get closer to the time for school to start, you will get e-mail from a lot of continuing students and the school regarding job openings at various pharmacies in the area. Based on the P1 schedule, you would be available to work on MWF afternoons, and Sat. and Sundays. The semester you have to do the early practice experience, it will be on either MW or F afternoon, so that would cut down on your time available to 2 afternoons.


As far as hospital, I know that Piedmont Hospital hires a lot of Mercer students, and I have a friend who works at Emory Univ. hospital during the school year. I also know somebody who is working at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, but I think that may be a summer position only - not sure if they hire through the school year or not.

Also, keep in mind that the majority of your major exams are going to be on Monday morning. I found that I did not want to work on the weekends, because I wanted to be studying more then as opposed to during the week.

 

[Me+PharmD]

So what does how much you make per year have to do with getting a break? You have alot to learn there newbie. The purpose of a break is so you can relax and clear your mind. Try working 10 and 12 hours shifts without a break. Your chances of making an error ard killing someone are much greater.

Maybe you should start school first before you decide you will be bored. I am quite sure you will have all you can handle and then some. The civillian life isn't gonna be a cake walk. Unlike the military you don't have someone telling you what to do and making sure you do it.

Ok, first of all, you have no clue what you're talking about. Second of all, I'm leaving the Air Force after serving six years as a repair and reclamation specialist. Because you're ignorant I'll enlighten you to what I do. We do work 12 hour shifts, occasionally without breaks and inspect all major flight controls on cargo aircraft. Furthermore, we constantly remove and install main landing gear components, nose landing gear components, flaps, ailerons, elevators, and rudders. So I might know a thing or two about attention to detail when lives are at stake. Now, lives at stake pertaining to my job are the people working on the components, as well as the crews and pax that fly. So, at any given fix there's usually about 100-200 lives at stake when I'm performing my tasks. BTW, the Air Force is a technical branch, and we do not have people constantly telling us what to do. Next time junior know what you're talking about and who you're talking to before you approach someone with your BS.

 

[Me+PharmD]

Well, if you are interested in retail intern positions, there is no shortage in the Atlanta area. When we get closer to the time for school to start, you will get e-mail from a lot of continuing students and the school regarding job openings at various pharmacies in the area. Based on the P1 schedule, you would be available to work on MWF afternoons, and Sat. and Sundays. The semester you have to do the early practice experience, it will be on either MW or F afternoon, so that would cut down on your time available to 2 afternoons.


As far as hospital, I know that Piedmont Hospital hires a lot of Mercer students, and I have a friend who works at Emory Univ. hospital during the school year. I also know somebody who is working at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, but I think that may be a summer position only - not sure if they hire through the school year or not.

Also, keep in mind that the majority of your major exams are going to be on Monday morning. I found that I did not want to work on the weekends, because I wanted to be studying more then as opposed to during the week.

Thanks a lot for the heads up! I'm sure you perceived my OP as just a question that requires some input. I'm definitely not underestimating the course load or level of difficultly of Mercer's program because I know it's going to be extremely difficult. But, for the past three years I've been in an intense daily grind of completing undergrad, working 45 hours a week as a supervisor, working out occasionally, and eating and sleeping occasionally. But bills are bills, and I need a buffer to supplement my GI Bill contributions. Thanks again!

 

[Doctor M]

I'm getting ready to start Mercer's program, and after completing my undergrad for the past three years while on active duty as a crew chief in the Air Force, I'm pretty sure that I'll be extremely bored if I don't work. I'd like some feedback on savvy internship programs with different companies throughout the Atlanta area. I'm acclimated to crappy shifts and no lunch breaks/ regular breaks, so these aspects of a job do not bother me (people shouldn't complain about not getting a break when they make >100K/ year). So, please be honest and provide a little feedback.

First, congratulations on being accepted to the program! You are in for a long but rewarding ride! My advice would be to find a job and only work a few hours per week. If you find that you can handle more hours well then work more. I wouldn't committ to a lot of hours just yet. Pharmacy school will probably have a lot of group work so you will want to be available for that as well as the 2 or 3 exams every few weeks you will have. As far as no breaks/and no lunches and making 100k, i use to have the same thinking until i experienced it myself. It sucks and why shouldn't we get a break? 100k is not worth me not getting a 15 min break. Anyway, good luck.

 

[Me+PharmD]

First, congratulations on being accepted to the program! You are in for a long but rewarding ride! My advice would be to find a job and only work a few hours per week. If you find that you can handle more hours well then work more. I wouldn't committ to a lot of hours just yet. Pharmacy school will probably have a lot of group work so you will want to be available for that as well as the 2 or 3 exams every few weeks you will have. As far as no breaks/and no lunches and making 100k, i use to have the same thinking until i experienced it myself. It sucks and why shouldn't we get a break? 100k is not worth me not getting a 15 min break. Anyway, good luck.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Caverject]

Ok, first of all, you have no clue what you're talking about. Second of all, I'm leaving the Air Force after serving six years as a repair and reclamation specialist. Because you're ignorant I'll enlighten you to what I do. We do work 12 hour shifts, occasionally without breaks and inspect all major flight controls on cargo aircraft. Furthermore, we constantly remove and install main landing gear components, nose landing gear components, flaps, ailerons, elevators, and rudders. So I might know a thing or two about attention to detail when lives are at stake. Now, lives at stake pertaining to my job are the people working on the components, as well as the crews and pax that fly. So, at any given fix there's usually about 100-200 lives at stake when I'm performing my tasks. BTW, the Air Force is a technical branch, and we do not have people constantly telling us what to do. Next time junior know what you're talking about and who you're talking to before you approach someone with your BS.

So in other words, we are suppose to find it impressive when you use technical jargon on us. If I started talking about VOR, ILS, ETOPS (well I suppose not ETOPS cause Air Force doesn't have to adhere to it), TDZ...would that wow you too? Also, if you are working on Cargo Planes, how in the world would 100-200 lives be at stake? Are you assuming a critical break down and the plane flies into a major city building? Anyway, you seriously need to chill out because that attitude will have serious ramifications on your career. (and before you lose your cool again, it should be noted that you even said to "please be honest") MountainPharmD meant well on his post and was offering you good advice. You came off like you knew something about pharmacy but you really don't with your comments. MountainPharmD has been a pharmacist for a while now....

To answer your original question, it depends on your experience to what you will find challenging. It doesn't sound like you have worked as a technician before previously. You can get some pharm tech/intern experience at Fort McPherson Army Base if you are interested in continuing in the military after you are done with pharmacy school. If you haven't hit your 20 year pension time, it would be highly advisable to go this route and pharmacy services is pretty much the same through out all the branches of the military. (Of course, my time with the AF was much better than with the Army but it's the same crap) If you are looking for something really challenging, you can find an extremely busy CVS/Walgreens over in cracktown somewhere and work. You will see just about everything there is to see and it will always be interesting. You can also do hospital work at Grady/Atlanta Medical center. Both would be great experiences.

 

[rxlynn]

If you are looking for something really challenging, you can find an extremely busy CVS/Walgreens over in cracktown somewhere and work. You will see just about everything there is to see and it will always be interesting. You can also do hospital work at Grady/Atlanta Medical center. Both would be great experiences.

For the OP - this made me think of something else. I know a couple of people who were able to work out some experience at Grady to count for their required volunteer hours - they had opportunities not only at the hospital, but also at some of their neighboorhood clinics, HIV clinic, etc. It sounded really cool to me - I just couldn't work it out with my family schedule.

 

[Caverject]

For the OP - this made me think of something else. I know a couple of people who were able to work out some experience at Grady to count for their required volunteer hours - they had opportunities not only at the hospital, but also at some of their neighboorhood clinics, HIV clinic, etc. It sounded really cool to me - I just couldn't work it out with my family schedule.

and well worth it if you can work it out...especially the HIV clinic when your expected to know everything there is to know about HIV treatment when there are 30 different drugs and about 120 different drug combinations (you always give 3 at a time) and just about every single one has some sort of drug interaction or serious side effect

 

[Me+PharmD]

So in other words, we are suppose to find it impressive when you use technical jargon on us. If I started talking about VOR, ILS, ETOPS (well I suppose not ETOPS cause Air Force doesn't have to adhere to it), TDZ...would that wow you too? Also, if you are working on Cargo Planes, how in the world would 100-200 lives be at stake? Are you assuming a critical break down and the plane flies into a major city building? Anyway, you seriously need to chill out because that attitude will have serious ramifications on your career. (and before you lose your cool again, it should be noted that you even said to "please be honest") MountainPharmD meant well on his post and was offering you good advice. You came off like you knew something about pharmacy but you really don't with your comments. MountainPharmD has been a pharmacist for a while now....

To answer your original question, it depends on your experience to what you will find challenging. It doesn't sound like you have worked as a technician before previously. You can get some pharm tech/intern experience at Fort McPherson Army Base if you are interested in continuing in the military after you are done with pharmacy school. If you haven't hit your 20 year pension time, it would be highly advisable to go this route and pharmacy services is pretty much the same through out all the branches of the military. (Of course, my time with the AF was much better than with the Army but it's the same crap) If you are looking for something really challenging, you can find an extremely busy CVS/Walgreens over in cracktown somewhere and work. You will see just about everything there is to see and it will always be interesting. You can also do hospital work at Grady/Atlanta Medical center. Both would be great experiences.

I thought SDN moderators/whatever you are, are suppose to be neutral when controlling discussions. I appreciate the heads up on answering my question, but by insinuating that my "attitude" from one post is going to have major ramifications on my career is unnecessary. I know my own potential and work ethic and frankly I really don't care when someone's trying to judge me in a forum, be it a moderator, pharmacy student, or pharmacist. I know my posts weren't disrespectful and in my OP I did ask for honesty, but honesty doesn't give someone the right to call someone else a "newbie" or say that a person has a lot to learn. No crap, I do have a lot to learn, that's why I and everyone else that comes to this forum asks the questions that we do. I'm not trying to get into a pissing match, but historically "MountainPharmD" is always giving smart a$$ replies to people that are simply asking questions in an open discussion forum to learn about a specific topic. Again, thanks for providing some information based upon the OP. In the future I'll try to re-word my posts to avoid crappy responses.

 

[Caverject]

I thought SDN moderators/whatever you are, are suppose to be neutral when controlling discussions. I appreciate the heads up on answering my question, but by insinuating that my "attitude" from one post is going to have major ramifications on my career is unnecessary. I know my own potential and work ethic and frankly I really don't care when someone's trying to judge me in a forum, be it a moderator, pharmacy student, or pharmacist. I know my posts weren't disrespectful and in my OP I did ask for honesty, but honesty doesn't give someone the right to call someone else a "newbie" or say that a person has a lot to learn. No crap, I do have a lot to learn, that's why I and everyone else that comes to this forum asks the questions that we do. I'm not trying to get into a pissing match, but historically "MountainPharmD" is always giving smart a$$ replies to people that are simply asking questions in an open discussion forum to learn about a specific topic. Again, thanks for providing some information based upon the OP. In the future I'll try to re-word my posts to avoid crappy responses.

good lord, don't ever confuse me for a moderator! That would mean I would have to join the Gestapo and sell my soul and actually censor what I have to say! Of course, I suppose it would be fun to stalk someone like myself if I got bored and give out infraction points all day for my "color commentary" type comments.

 

[Doctor M]

I thought SDN moderators/whatever you are, are suppose to be neutral when controlling discussions. I appreciate the heads up on answering my question, but by insinuating that my "attitude" from one post is going to have major ramifications on my career is unnecessary. I know my own potential and work ethic and frankly I really don't care when someone's trying to judge me in a forum, be it a moderator, pharmacy student, or pharmacist. I know my posts weren't disrespectful and in my OP I did ask for honesty, but honesty doesn't give someone the right to call someone else a "newbie" or say that a person has a lot to learn. No crap, I do have a lot to learn, that's why I and everyone else that comes to this forum asks the questions that we do. I'm not trying to get into a pissing match, but historically "MountainPharmD" is always giving smart a$$ replies to people that are simply asking questions in an open discussion forum to learn about a specific topic. Again, thanks for providing some information based upon the OP. In the future I'll try to re-word my posts to avoid crappy responses.

I learned my lesson too😉 Thats all i gotta say.

 

[12345]

I want to live near Atlanta after graduation (UF 08) those hospitals that were mentioned do you know if they require a residency to work at? Also I know Ga has a compounding exam to be licensed, how hard is it and would I be prepared to pass it? Florida does not have a compounding exam so I was not sure if the curriculum was different.

 

[rxlynn]

I want to live near Atlanta after graduation (UF 08) those hospitals that were mentioned do you know if they require a residency to work at? Also I know Ga has a compounding exam to be licensed, how hard is it and would I be prepared to pass it? Florida does not have a compounding exam so I was not sure if the curriculum was different.

Sorry - I don't know if they require residency - I am not planning on a hospital career, so don't spend time looking at those sorts of positions.

I don't think that the curriculum will be that different than Florida. We are only required to take a pharmaceutics class and an associated laboratory (lab is one hour of class time and 2 hours of actual lab per week for one semester). Mercer does have a compounding elective, but most people do not take it and still do just fine on the board exam. At some point in our practice of pharmacy classes, I think we get some practice in what the compounding part of the board exam is like.

 

[Caverject]

the hospitals I mentioned prefer residency trained but its not a requirement.

If you take Flynn Warren's prep course at UGA, it will include the wetboard. From what I understand, its not hard at all. Just another hoop to jump thru...

 

[12345]

Does anyone know of any pharmacist jobs at the CDC?

 

[Caverject]

The CDC uses http://www.usajobs.gov/ for applicants

 

[MountainPharmD]

I know my posts weren't disrespectful and in my OP I did ask for honesty, but honesty doesn't give someone the right to call someone else a "newbie" or say that a person has a lot to learn. No crap, I do have a lot to learn, that's why I and everyone else that comes to this forum asks the questions that we do.

I did a poor job of trying to make a simple point. That point was civillian life and military life are vastly different. Perhaps before you decide you will be bored you should try it and see how it goes. You are a newbie and if that offends you that I pointed it out, well get over it......

I'm not trying to get into a pissing match, but historically "MountainPharmD" is always giving smart a$$ replies to people that are simply asking questions in an open discussion forum to learn about a specific topic.

Okay, you got me there. I do on occasion post less than helpful smart a$$ replies. Sometimes I have a bad day at work and I come home read the new stuff on here and post a quick smart a$$ reply. Oh well, like I said earlier get over it. I've been a member on here since 2004 and you can only take so many of the same questions and posts before I have to say something dumb. No disrespect meant just who I am.

Again, thanks for providing some information based upon the OP. In the future I'll try to re-word my posts to avoid crappy responses.

Word your posts however you like. Do not worry about how people will respond. This is an open anonomous forum. You will get all kinds of helpful and crappy response, so what? I think this is a good place to get information and discuss things. It is rather boring at times but after three years I keep coming back so it can't be all that bad.

Please do not think I was in anyway disrespecting your military service. I posted a reply because I have been there. I spent 4 years in the 82nd Airborne Division. I ETS'ed on August 8th, 1998 and was sitting in class on August 23rd. I posted a reply because I have been there and know exactly what it is like.

Hey Caverject, thanks for getting my back!!!

 

[Doctor M]

I did a poor job of trying to make a simple point. That point was civillian life and military life are vastly different. Perhaps before you decide you will be bored you should try it and see how it goes. You are a newbie and if that offends you that I pointed it out, well get over it......




Okay, you got me there. I do on occasion post less than helpful smart a$$ replies. Sometimes I have a bad day at work and I come home read the new stuff on here and post a quick smart a$$ reply. Oh well, like I said earlier get over it. I've been a member on here since 2004 and you can only take so many of the same questions and posts before I have to say something dumb. No disrespect meant just who I am.




Word your posts however you like. Do not worry about how people will respond. This is an open anonomous forum. You will get all kinds of helpful and crappy response, so what? I think this is a good place to get information and discuss things. It is rather boring at times but after three years I keep coming back so it can't be all that bad.

Please do not think I was in anyway disrespecting your military service. I posted a reply because I have been there. I spent 4 years in the 82nd Airborne Division. I ETS'ed on August 8th, 1998 and was sitting in class on August 23rd. I posted a reply because I have been there and know exactly what it is like.

Hey Caverject, thanks for getting my back!!!

I respect you for your comments🙂

 

[12345]

Any other advice for getting a good pharmacy job in or around Atlanta?

 

[gaba101]

honesty doesn't give someone the right to call someone else a "newbie" or say that a person has a lot to learn.

to the OP, you are a mega dickhead if you are so easily bent up by someone calling you a "newbie" or saying that you have a lot to learn. If you haven't started pharmacy school yet, you ARE newbie. If you haven't started pharmacy school yet, it will NOT BE UNCOMMON for your preceptors, dean, professors, mentors, and anyone else who is "ahead of you" (i.e. beyond pre-P1 year) to describe you as "a person [who] has a lot to learn." It's a FACT OF MATTER, not an opinion. And if you've got issues with someone saying you are "a person [who] has a lot to learn" or calling you a "newbie" then you come off as someone who gets IRRITATED EASILY and hence, you may want to consider being "Me-PharmD" before you begin your P1 year because there will be greater waters to tred in your near future (i.e. retail customers will yell at you, call you names and in such cases, you have every right to be mad, etc). But in this case...

take a chill pill. 🙄 No need to get all bent up--MountainPharmD WAS being neutral.