Older Pharmacy Students

[American Princess]

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Do employers tend not to hire older pharmacy graduate like people in the 35 yrs or older ages?
Thanks

 

[ajh88]

I don't have any proof for my answer, but my opinion is no. First, it is illegal to discriminate based on age. Assuming there is an employer willing to risk that lawsuit, I believe (at least at the present time), the demand for pharmacists is such that many employers cannot be that picky (as in I want the 25 year old vs. the 45 year old, assuming that the 25 year old is better somehow).

 

[InsiderSJFC]

Some employers prefer older pharmacists due to their maturity.

 

[dgroulx]

Do employers tend not to hire older pharmacy graduate like people in the 35 yrs or older ages?
Thanks

I am 50 years old and graduate on May 5th from UF pharmacy school. I already have a job offer and have several more interviews this Friday at our Career Fair. If you want a residency, I've met residents that were older than I am. Age doesn't matter.

 

[blumatrix]

very true.
plus, think of all those international pharmacists that come over after years of practicing in their own countries and starting over here.

 

[pidgeon]

Your post has encouraged me pursue my dreams to become a pharmacist. Thank you

 

[RxWildcat]

age is definitely not a factor, unless you're 80.

 

[RXDR2B]

I was accepted to Pharmacy School one day before my 50th birthday! So NO age does not matter ! What matters is showing your motivation to the profession (having a pharmacy job et), and doing the things that are required to get in to school (GPA, PCAT etc).
Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[Gitana]

I was accepted to Pharmacy School one day before my 50th birthday! So NO age does not matter ! What matters is showing your motivation to the profession (having a pharmacy job et), and doing the things that are required to get in to school (GPA, PCAT etc).
Hope that helps! Good luck!

RXDR2B, what are your stats, and what kind of work did you do before, if you don't mind sharing?

I took my General Bio and Chem 10 years ago and I'm planning to take Org I & II, Physics I and Micro during the summer, ace the PCAT😀 in July or August, apply and then finish my Preqs, if any. BTW, I'm 42, will be 43 in June, so I will be entering when I'm 44, at the earliest.

Better now than never!

 

[eelo]

This is a VERY cool thread.

Props to all yall. ;-)

 

[lwang81]

I don't know how it is in other areas but I know in Cali there is such a shortage that they'll hire anyone with a license. I've worked with pharmacist who don't know how to use a computer period. The last time they worked at a pharmacy they actually used a type writer to make the labels, no joke. I've worked with some really bad pharmacist, but they keep begging them to work because there is such a shortage.

 

[RXDR2B]

RXDR2B, what are your stats, and what kind of work did you do before, if you don't mind sharing?

I took my General Bio and Chem 10 years ago and I'm planning to take Org I & II, Physics I and Micro during the summer, ace the PCAT😀 in July or August, apply and then finish my Preqs, if any. BTW, I'm 42, will be 43 in June, so I will be entering when I'm 44, at the earliest.

Better now than never!

Hi Gitana,
Sounds like you are in the same boat that I was with having an older degree. Because my degree was more than 10 yrs old, I first had to refresh a total of 8 courses (Bio I&II, Chem I&II, Org I&II, one semester Physics, one semester Calculus) to meet the criteria for Pharm School eligibility. One suggestion I would give you (if you haven't done it already), is to check with your Pharmacy School(s) of interest to see what courses they say are "too old" and need refreshing. You would hate to find out after the fact you are missing a prereq because that will delay you from applying for a whole year!

I am also assuming that your application would be for Class 2013 (??); so I would really recommend that you take your time in preparing for the PCAT and even consider taking it in October 2008 once you are done with your courses. That still gives you time to retake the January 2009 PCAT if you don't score as high the first time around. With the course load you are taking, I think you will find it very difficult to find time to prepare for the PCAT. You need to work hard on getting all A's and B's in the prereq classes to give yourself the best chance, although a C in one or two courses wouldn't knock you out of the running. So if you can, put some time in between those classes and taking the PCAT, even just for the fact you'll need to learn/retain all the class knowledge from micro, chem, org for the PCAT. Plus you should have until the end of the Spring semester 2009 to finish any prereqs, but the cutoff for PCAT's is January for that years admissions. Does this make sense?

As far as stats go.....its really varies school to school. Most will have the info posted on their website as far as minimums they are looking for. I had a couple prereqs that I had C's in, but all my other courses were A's & B's and I scored well over 400 on my PCAT.

And don't forget about getting pharm experience as part of this mix. Its not just GPA's and PCAT's that the schools are looking for. They are looking at your interest and motivation behind pharmacy. So get a pharmacy job if you can, or spend time shadowing a pharmacist. I have a pharm sales background and went to work in a pharmacy last September as well.

Hope this all helps! Best of luck and let me know if you have any more questions.

 

[zilko]

Hey, RXDR2B, mind if I ask which school accepted you? I may need to add them to next year's application set, if I get stuck on the Wait list with the 3 I've applied to this year. (June [and possibly August] PCAT is on my to do list if I haven't received an acceptance by end of April, you know what they say about prior planning ...)

[I am seriously interested, what school, PM me if you don't want it spread around. TIA]

 

[Gitana]

RXDR2B:

Thank you so much for such an extended answer!! The only thing I'm still not clear is how I'm going to get that pharmacy experience... I think I will have to volunteer somewhere.

Thanks again!

 

[RXDR2B]

Here's one suggestion on how to get the pharm experience - Put in job applications to every pharmacy chain in your area and don't overlook the independents either. Most of the apps can be done right online which will save you time. And this has been my experience, others may tell you differently depending on place of employment, but you can work the number of hours you feel are manageable for you because a pharmacy understands that school is your first priority. (I work approx 8 hours or less a week while I've been in pre-pharm school)

RXDR2B

 

[deafrusskipharm]

Here's one suggestion on how to get the pharm experience - Put in job applications to every pharmacy chain in your area and don't overlook the independents either. Most of the apps can be done right online which will save you time. And this has been my experience, others may tell you differently depending on place of employment, but you can work the number of hours you feel are manageable for you because a pharmacy understands that school is your first priority. (I work approx 8 hours or less a week while I've been in pre-pharm school)

RXDR2B

I have applied everywhere including CVS, Walgreens, Wal-Mart, and Target. Nothing in Austin. Though, if you want to get some experience, then I highly recommend that you take the PTCB exam for your CPhT certification and update yourself with online continuing education courses. It still shows that you're persistent in trying to get a job and still update yourself with what's going on in the pharmacy world... I have pushed myself to go to pharmacies and talk to the pharmacists about their job and how they deal with the customers. I believe if that is done, then they can see that you have some sort of idea what you are about to enter into...

Just my two cents.

 

[Gitana]

Here's one suggestion on how to get the pharm experience - Put in job applications to every pharmacy chain in your area and don't overlook the independents either. Most of the apps can be done right online which will save you time. And this has been my experience, others may tell you differently depending on place of employment, but you can work the number of hours you feel are manageable for you because a pharmacy understands that school is your first priority. (I work approx 8 hours or less a week while I've been in pre-pharm school)

RXDR2B

I will definitely do that as soon as I'm sure where I'm going to be in August. It's possible that I will relocate about 2 hours from my current place to go to school.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[RXDR2B]

No problem! My pleasure. If I can be of help let me know, be happy to share what I've learned on my pathway as a non traditional student.🙂