Observations from a Newbie

[Xeal0007]

---

Members don't see this ad.

This thread probably won't last long, but thats not the purpose of it....



I joined the site not to long ago because i'm interested in pharmacy. However, some of the pharmacists i have worked with in the last two years(I'm a pharm tech) have said things like. "Go to Dental school"..."Become an OT"..."Consider PT".

Because of that, i went around and read some(keyword here, some) threads in the Dental and OT parts of this site along with the pharmacy section and i have notice one thing. EVERYONE thinks its the end of the world . Every 10 or so threads theres a "NO JOBS" thread and its really funny to me. Im only a senior in undergrad and some can say I probably don't know what i'm saying but...isn't the medical field one the most job secure fields around? I mean, how much more secure can you get?

Regardless of which path i choose(most likely Pharmacy, i'm too involved to switch). I THINK i'll be alright.

Thoughts?

 

[Sofa]

It really depends on what area. Some places are more saturated than others, so you may not get your PRIME number 1 spot. But it is very likely you WILL find a job in a good area. I live in a metro with 2 pharmacy schools in the city. 100% job placement for both schools.

Just like any other profession (kinda)

For a reality check, some of the pharmacy preceptors I intern under said that they have been hearing the "THERE'S NO JOBS!" scare back when THEY were in pharmacy school (1990's). A pharmacist shortage happened very soon 🙂. Fear is always rampant, but pharmacy is not the absolute worst profession you can get into.

 

[Xeal0007]

It really depends on what area. Some places are more saturated than others, so you may not get your PRIME number 1 spot. But it is very likely you WILL find a job in a good area. I live in a metro with 2 pharmacy schools in the city. 100% job placement for both schools.

Just like any other profession (kinda)

For a reality check, some of the pharmacy preceptors I intern under said that they have been hearing the "THERE'S NO JOBS!" scare back when THEY were in pharmacy school (1990's). A pharmacist shortage happened very soon 🙂. Fear is always rampant, but pharmacy is not the absolute worst profession you can get into.

exactly my thoughts. thanks for sharing

 

[Sofa]

Don't get me wrong, the days of very attractive signing bonuses and more offers than you can shake a tail-feather at are gone at the moment.

You aren't going to just walk into a job, but it isn't a desert of opportunity.

Things are a bit harder now, but still doable.

From what i hear, MDs might be taking a pay cut due to the health bill. That's just grapevine stuff though.

 

[TheBlaah]

Yeah, and the posters here are more likely coming here to complain about their inability to find a job rather than celebrate finding one, which leads to an inaccurate representation of the whole.

 

[AlPacino]

This thread probably won't last long, but thats not the purpose of it....



I joined the site not to long ago because i'm interested in pharmacy. However, some of the pharmacists i have worked with in the last two years(I'm a pharm tech) have said things like. "Go to Dental school"..."Become an OT"..."Consider PT".

Because of that, i went around and read some(keyword here, some) threads in the Dental and OT parts of this site along with the pharmacy section and i have notice one thing. EVERYONE thinks its the end of the world . Every 10 or so threads theres a "NO JOBS" thread and its really funny to me. Im only a senior in undergrad and some can say I probably don't know what i'm saying but...isn't the medical field one the most job secure fields around? I mean, how much more secure can you get?

Regardless of which path i choose(most likely Pharmacy, i'm too involved to switch). I THINK i'll be alright.

Thoughts?

If your #1 decision to pursue a healthcare profession is security, I would stay away from pharmacy.

 

[Futuredoctor193]

It's crazy because I'm doing pharm but I have interest in pre-med. Most doctors tell me to stick w pharmacy lol

 

[AlPacino]

It's crazy because I'm doing pharm but I have interest in pre-med. Most doctors tell me to stick w pharmacy lol

Yes, and 99% of pharmacist will tell you to go for your MD. See the trend here?

 

[Futuredoctor193]

Yeah it's very confusing

 

[Xeal0007]

If your #1 decision to pursue a healthcare profession is security, I would stay away from pharmacy.

just curious, have you switched from pharmacy? If not, why not?

 

[AlPacino]

just curious, have you switched from pharmacy? If not, why not?

No. Once I made up my mind that becoming a pharmacist was my goal, nothing and nobody were going to tell me otherwise.

 

[Xeal0007]

No. Once I made up my mind that becoming a pharmacist was my goal, nothing and nobody were going to tell me otherwise.

soooo you're discouraging me because?

 

[AlPacino]

soooo you're discouraging me because?

Im not discouraging you, Im just giving you my opinion. This is not 2006 and the field of pharmacy is no longer a job with instant job security. Right now there is a saturation in the market with all these new pharmacy schools opening up and rising tuition costs. Like I tell everybody who is thinking about pharmacy, unless you are 110% sure that becoming a pharmacist is what you want to do, it would be wise to consider your options and explore other healthcare professions. I know its not what you want to hear, but sometimes a dose of reality check is just what we need.

 

[ProfessorXanax]

Pharmacy is saturated but so is everything else.

Just work hard and start networking. That's how everyone gets the best jobs anyways is through knowing people.

 

[Skrumpy]

We are in the midst of a recession so everyone is feeling a pinch. Most companies aren't expanding nearly as aggressively as they were pre-recession and yet the number of schools opening has not abated to match the downturn. The best thing you can do is minimize the amount you are taking out for loans. Work (if you can) during school, look for scholarships (whenever possible), and take up extracurricular positions that pay. Try to go to a school that fits the following qualifications:

1) Is in state, or offers in state tuition.
2) Is as inexpensive as possible (<150k for the entire program)
3) Choose a school that is not on either of the coasts (these areas tend to have the highest level of saturation in the job market) and most people will seek employment near where they graduate.
4) Go for a ranked school. I'm not saying you need to go for the top 10 and I really don't want to get into a debate about whether or not rankings matter, but to a certain degree they do.
5) Do your best in school. That means choosing EC's that will enhance your CV, while still maintaining a solid GPA.​

Some of those options may not be available to you. If that's the case you'll just have to make due with what you can. Once out of school I would then pay off your loans as quickly as you can. I understand the desire to splurge since you were living on a meager income during school, but think of paying 3-4x what your school loans cost you due to interest over the long term.. then think what you could have done with that extra 600k+.

 

[metrarx]

Pharmacy is saturated but so is everything else.

Just work hard and start networking. That's how everyone gets the best jobs anyways is through knowing people.

Network and work hard....what every single prepharm on here says. I'll let reality tell you how it really is when you graduate and 10000 new grads are doing exactly what you're suggesting.

 

[68quebec]

It really depends on where your preference at. Big city might be supersaturated but sub-urban and especially rural areas are still looking for many pharmacists. All jobs are hard to get on this time but it really depends on how much you put effort on it

 

[ProfessorXanax]

Network and work hard....what every single prepharm on here says. I'll let reality tell you how it really is when you graduate and 10000 new grads are doing exactly what you're suggesting.

I mean it's the truth, if you're competitive and know how to win people over in interviews than you'll be golden. Sound a little salty there, huh chief?

 

[metrarx]

I mean it's the truth, if you're competitive and know how to win people over in interviews than you'll be golden. Sound a little salty there, huh chief?

Again. Many pharm students will attempt to do just that. Many will fail because they don't have the right skills. Maybe they're socially awkward, lazy, too much of themselves, can't communicate effectively, you get the picture. So when you come here and suggest something that isn't going to work for a great number of students, it makes you appear very naive and out if touch with how things really are.

 

[ProfessorXanax]

Again. Many pharm students will attempt to do just that. Many will fail because they don't have the right skills. Maybe they're socially awkward, lazy, too much of themselves, can't communicate effectively, you get the picture. So when you come here and suggest something that isn't going to work for a great number of students, it makes you appear very naive and out if touch with how things really are.

Seriously ha, if you're socially awkward or lazy or whatever that shouldn't stop you. You can overcome anything. I know exactly how things are which is why I applied to literally 40 different pharmacies for a tech job and only got one call back. But I had a great interview and got the job without any previous pharmacy experience. Don't be so pessimistic.