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I didn't really read this thread, but I just have a question... for anyone really...

Since I'm attending school in August no matter what, and I already work for a southern grocery chain that I really like... would it be worth it to try and join the loan repayment program? I was previously against this for many reasons, but I've read the guidelines and it's starting to not seem so bad.

Firstly, you have to work 30 hrs/month while in school at the chain (which I was planning to do anyway since I need money and I don't want to be scrambling for an intern position over winter/summer breaks when everyone else is trying to secure one as well.

Secondly, once you graduate, for every six months you work as an rph you receive 2500 in loan repayment. This can continue for 4 years and 20,000 dollars.

I realize that retail is not really my ultimate goal, but about 67 percent of the students from the school I will be attending graduate into a retail setting, and it wouldn't hurt to stay with the company I'm currently working at as a full time tech (I already know the system, in general it's known as a good retail chain to work at, etc). At least until loans are paid off perhaps?

My specific question is mainly regarding the chances of being hired after graduation if I'm in this program. I understand they could possibly relocate me to any store they want, but the chain is only located in Florida, Georgia, Tenneseee, South Carolina, and Alabama. I wouldn't mind any of those places though.

and no... I do not want kids or even marriage really. :smuggrin:
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Tinkerbell22 said:
I didn't really read this thread, but I just have a question... for anyone really...

Since I'm attending school in August no matter what, and I already work for a southern grocery chain that I really like... would it be worth it to try and join the loan repayment program? I was previously against this for many reasons, but I've read the guidelines and it's starting to not seem so bad.

Firstly, you have to work 30 hrs/month while in school at the chain (which I was planning to do anyway since I need money and I don't want to be scrambling for an intern position over winter/summer breaks when everyone else is trying to secure one as well.

Secondly, once you graduate, for every six months you work as an rph you receive 2500 in loan repayment. This can continue for 4 years and 20,000 dollars.

I realize that retail is not really my ultimate goal, but about 67 percent of the students from the school I will be attending graduate into a retail setting, and it wouldn't hurt to stay with the company I'm currently working at as a full time tech (I already know the system, in general it's known as a good retail chain to work at, etc). At least until loans are paid off perhaps?

My specific question is mainly regarding the chances of being hired after graduation if I'm in this program. I understand they could possibly relocate me to any store they want, but the chain is only located in Florida, Georgia, Tenneseee, South Carolina, and Alabama. I wouldn't mind any of those places though.

and no... I do not want kids or even marriage really. :smuggrin:
Click to expand...

Go for it. Relocation is usually never an issue because they usually keep you in the same area. I have never heard of somebody being relocated to another state...
 
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Many of them have secured six-figure jobs that will allow them to live their lives in style... and pay back student loans.

About 10% haven't found jobs yet. We don't know how many of those 10% didn't find jobs because they didn't want to relocate or whatever other extenuating circumstance presented itself.

It is an interesting article nonetheless, though.
 
it is OVER people. pharmacy bubble has burst.
 
Its funny because I still see many job openings for pharmacist in Cali...
 
socalgirlie said:
Its funny because I still see many job openings for pharmacist in Cali...
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Indeed.

There are jobs. However, they will not just take the first applicant that sends in a resume/CV, and it seems like a lot of people are accustomed to that treatment (looking at you, Mikey).

The bleeding has stopped in the bay area at least... the hospital I volunteer at shed 2 clinical pharmacists, 3 technicians and 1 staff pharmacist in 2009, but has since hired all but 1 technician back to full time status, and has a new technician at 4 days a week... and this is a county joint, the nicer, more "upscale" non-trauma center hospitals in "nicer" (Read: fewer African Americans, sad but true folks) areas have expanded hiring even more.

But they definitely like hiring CA grads (They know they can pass CPJE) and they definitely like locals.
 
Passion4Sci said:
Indeed.

There are jobs. However, they will not just take the first applicant that sends in a resume/CV, and it seems like a lot of people are accustomed to that treatment (looking at you, Mikey).
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Wow. You have me pegged so wrong, it is offensive. I had to wait around months before my first job. Got about 4 rejections.

Now I've gotten about 40 rejections.
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
New grads are always the worst to take. Most likely a woman in her mid to late 20s. More likely than not, they are going to have a child within 5 years of graduating. Unless they are too ugly to marry. The amount of women I personally know that I graduated with that have had children since is astounding.

Not only are they bitchy leading up to their maternity leave...they take maternity leave and abandon you for 3 months.

So unless you are ugly, sterile, or old, simply being a new grad isn't appealing at all.

I would never hire a married woman in her 20s. I'm not ****ing stupid. Bring me the post menopausal women. I swear to God, they make the best pharmacists.
Click to expand...

What if you're a 23 year old male that just graduated and had a vasectomy performed? We interviewed one candidate a couple of years ago that really wanted to hit that point that he would never be a father and his wife would never be a mother.
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
Wow. You have me pegged so wrong, it is offensive. I had to wait around months before my first job. Got about 4 rejections.

Now I've gotten about 40 rejections.
Click to expand...

Holy ****! When it comes to landing any type of job, it's all about who you know and/or years of experience. Make some connections.
 
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JBudege said:
Holy ****! When it comes to landing any type of job, it's all about who you know and/or years of experience. Make some connections.
Click to expand...

I do. The problem is that all of my connections are in Philly, NJ, and Northern WV. Three of the most saturated areas of the country. Z had a few jobs for me, but they dried up, too.
 
WVUPharm2007 said:
Wow. You have me pegged so wrong, it is offensive. I had to wait around months before my first job. Got about 4 rejections.

Now I've gotten about 40 rejections.
Click to expand...


Sorry to hear this, WVUPharm2007. Stay strong.
 
UNMorBUST said:
Same. I just need to find a girl who is willing to forgo offspring.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that.

You have to get one that will either:

a. Be past the "biological clock imperative" more or less, so well into her 30s (Although some women still get that crazy urge past this age)

or

b. Submit to a tubal ligation along with your vasectomy.

In any other event, including her maintaining a hormonal birth control regimen or your use of a barrier, she is still liable to one day say, "baby, I want a baby."

With either (a) or (b), your chances of being Baby Stuck are minimal. I went with (b) for my wife and I feel sorry for anyone who does not go with (a) or (b) unless, of course, they're crazy enough to want kids in this world.
 
I've been wondering about how much you have to get across that you don't plan on having kids to an interviewer and if it honestly makes any difference. I'm plenty risk averse and don't want children for a variety of reasons that seem solid to me. But I've been hesitant marrying my LT boyfriend because, as a career changer entering my 30s pretty soon), I don't want employers or admissions committees thinking that I would want children because I'm married. My gut feeling is that it would be obvious that I wouldn't be in danger of mom-tracking myself by the time I graduated, especially if I didn't get married or show any signs of being in a relationship.

The Pew Research Center just released data on Childlessness Up Among All Women. Though anecdotes hardly count as good data, I see that the few of my friends who were serious and aware that they wanted kids married men (who also wanted kids) by their mid-twenties who could support a family (so their family unit wouldn't depend on the mom's income, and in some cases, the dad's income (so dad stays at home with the kid)) and they went into careers that offered that kind of flexibility or changed careers for flexibility, unless the dad stayed at home with the kid.

The vast majority of my friends aren't in LT relationships and wouldn't want kids outside of marriage, so they're very career-focused (by default maybe but everyone generally has to go with the flow). I doubt they'd take on the burden of getting pregnant or raising kids without a trustworthy partner.
 
Elisaveth said:
I've been wondering about how much you have to get across that you don't plan on having kids to an interviewer and if it honestly makes any difference. I'm plenty risk averse and don't want children for a variety of reasons that seem solid to me. But I've been hesitant marrying my LT boyfriend because, as a career changer entering my 30s pretty soon), I don't want employers or admissions committees thinking that I would want children because I'm married. My gut feeling is that it would be obvious that I wouldn't be in danger of mom-tracking myself by the time I graduated, especially if I didn't get married or show any signs of being in a relationship.

The Pew Research Center just released data on Childlessness Up Among All Women. Though anecdotes hardly count as good data, I see that the few of my friends who were serious and aware that they wanted kids married men (who also wanted kids) by their mid-twenties who could support a family (so their family unit wouldn't depend on the mom's income, and in some cases, the dad's income (so dad stays at home with the kid)) and they went into careers that offered that kind of flexibility or changed careers for flexibility, unless the dad stayed at home with the kid.

The vast majority of my friends aren't in LT relationships and wouldn't want kids outside of marriage, so they're very career-focused (by default maybe but everyone generally has to go with the flow). I doubt they'd take on the burden of getting pregnant or raising kids without a trustworthy partner.
Click to expand...

yeah, it suck to get married when u don't have cash
 
Medwell said:
YES.
Take a look at this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=709242

I am absolutely stunned by the number of people pursuing a career other than their "dream job". What is going through their minds as they live day after day as pre-pharm students/pharm students/pharmacists? Do they actually think "I shall ignore my true calling in life and become a pharmacist instead."?

:shrug:
Click to expand...

when you grow up you will understand.
 
I 've been a pharmacist in practice for 25 years and i have been reading this forum for a month or so. Realizing that our pharmacy profession is going in a wrong direction, i decided to write this thread for everyone, especially the pre-pharms , to inform you guys what is going on out there, and the future of our pharmacy profession.

FACTS:

1. Most new grads are struggling to find jobs in most areas . I repeat "most areas" right now.
2. A lot of pharmacists are relocating due to job loss, including me.
3. More and more graduates will make the supply way > demand.
4. More job loss due to hospital inability to make profits (medicaid cut, low reimbursement.
5. More job loss due to corp/business/chains are losing profits due to a slow economy.
6. More and more pharmacist (including me) will delay retirement and try to get more hours to cover for family members' job loss, etc...
7. Pharmacy Students Tuition increases annually across the country.
8. Undesired locations (such as Fresno, Bakersfiled) are getting more and more saturated every day.
9. Some pharmacists (including my fellow friends) who lost their jobs since 2009 and still could not find anything out there yet.

CONCLUSION

1. Supply > demand and will continue to.
2. Job loss in future...more laid offs coming if hospital/chains don't make enough profit.
3. Understaffed
4. Students graduate with no jobs + big student loan debts
5. Lots of students will do another career change (most likely into medicine, or PA route).
6. Jobs in hard-to-staff areas is drying up more and more.

As an older pharmacist, I believe that an oversupply is rapidly developing. I have seen the good years and these are not them. I would encourage anyone looking into pharmacy to not be deceived by the pharmacy schools. All they want is tuition money. They do not give a hang about the glutted market their students will walk into. As far as salaries, you can kiss raises and bonuses goodbye too. For you guys thinking about pharmacy, I advise not. It is very hard to get into school,very expensive to pay for and when you get out you won't have a whole lot of choices if any. You will also have to put up with a public that is meaner and pickier every yea.

Demographics have changed . The majority of pharmacists now graduating are women. Most do not intend to work full time and have a family. Those with spouses who have lost their job are now working more hours out of necessity. There is your shortage from years past, solved by the market forces, the recession/depression and job losses, and the pharmacy mills opening on every corner.

Anyone here ever heard of this guy named Peter Schiff? he was on TV several times during 2006-2007 and made a numerous of predictions about the housing collapse during 2006 while it was still blooming...but nobody believed in him...Guess what? Now it's 2010 and whatever he said back 3 yrs ago was absolutely correct. So, I'm doing this because of your own benefits in future. If u have no idea who Peter SChiff is, check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0QN-FYkpw
 
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What do recommend? it's not like I can go back in time and major in something totally different! :rolleyes:
 
Isn't this going on in nearly every profession though?

OP, what job would you recommend other than MD or PA?
 
dudecoolname said:
Isn't this going on in nearly every profession though?

OP, what job would you recommend other than MD or PA?
Click to expand...

Yes...my friend's who are pharmacists tell me to pursue being a PA, but my friends in nursing say pharmacy is better. Like the previous poster, I can't go back in time and change my prereqs. I know I like pharmacy so that's my goal.

I just if anyone is happy in their career after 25 yrs...
 
images
 
What profession isn't going in the wrong direction in this economy? I've been watching my "recession proof" former profession (teaching) get wracked by lay-offs. I wouldn't have in a million years dreamed that was even possible a few years ago. And if you had made this thread five years ago as a prediction post, people would have laughed and laughed some more. Most people on this forum won't even be looking for a job for five or six more years. Things can change a lot in that time. Sure, people should go into the profession with their eyes open but are you really so certain that the market conditions today with the worst economy since the Great Depression is going to be just as bad in five or six years?
 
You know... I hope this scares people away. I need all the help I can get to get in.

Plus pharmacy doesn't need people who are just looking to have a job handed to them. It needs more people who actually want to do it regardless of the obstacles along the way.
 
dudecoolname said:
Isn't this going on in nearly every profession though?

OP, what job would you recommend other than MD or PA?
Click to expand...

Air traffic controllers. Park rangers with a law enforcement background. I was reading that both of these jobs are about to experience a shortage due to mandatory retirement ages. They don't get to hang onto their jobs just because the economy is bad and they don't want to retire.
 
diastole said:
What profession isn't going in the wrong direction in this economy? I've been watching my "recession proof" former profession (teaching) get wracked by lay-offs. I wouldn't have in a million years dreamed that was even possible a few years ago. And if you had made this thread five years ago as a prediction post, people would have laughed and laughed some more. Most people on this forum won't even be looking for a job for five or six more years. Things can change a lot in that time. Sure, people should go into the profession with their eyes open but are you really so certain that the market conditions today with the worst economy since the Great Depression is going to be just as bad in five or six years?
Click to expand...

Have you seen an umemployed physician in the US yet? I laughed at one of my close friend 25 yrs ago when was in med school and i was already out making money. Just a few years of extra training and u will never have to worry about job security. He has one big medical clinic and most of daily activities now are at the golf course, while i wake up everyday ,go to the hospital and deal with cranky nurses.

Definitely medicine....no other options in today's world...no shortcut in order to have a secured job.
 
lauradiddle said:
From what I understand that field is actually VERY competitive, even with retirements taken into consideration.
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Yea it is. There are so few spots and it's a very high paying profession. I personally could not handle the stress.
 
zwipes said:
Definitely medicine....no other options in today's world...no shortcut in order to have a secured job.
Click to expand...

please. medicine is on the decline as well. not only are specialists going to make less due to the current economy + increased government intervention but medicare reimbursements are about to be cut 21%. more md/do schools are being built when the profession is already bottlenecked at residency. things are looking bleak in all job sectors so to succeed you just have to be one of the best. it's not about "shortcuts"... if someone has a passion for pharmacy and has the intellect, they will be recognized and hospitals/chains/whatever will WANT to keep these people. on the other hand if you're the type of person who doesn't get involved/isn't persistent then yes, things will be difficult for you.
 
Easy solution; the people who want jobs and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it (i.e. MOVE WHERE THERE ARE JOBS, do a residency) will get them. I moved twice away from my hometown just to get into pharmacy school. I'm living on the last frontier now (Maine), and I really don't see anything stopping me from moving from coast to coast to get a job. When you have a drive to be successful, you will be. Plain and simple. And if pharmacy is completely saturated when I'm out of school in every hamlet/village/town/city in the US, I guess it's time to go back to school and get some more education for another area.

Pretty much, suck it up. Life isn't easy. So sorry life didn't get easier as you got older. Sorry to be rude, but I'm tired of these stupid threads popping up every week for the last 3 years(+, I'm sure).
 
apteryx said:
Easy solution; the people who want jobs and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it (i.e. MOVE WHERE THERE ARE JOBS, do a residency) will get them. I moved twice away from my hometown just to get into pharmacy school. I'm living on the last frontier now (Maine), and I really don't see anything stopping me from moving from coast to coast to get a job. When you have a drive to be successful, you will be. Plain and simple. And if pharmacy is completely saturated when I'm out of school in every hamlet/village/town/city in the US, I guess it's time to go back to school and get some more education for another area.

Pretty much, suck it up. Life isn't easy. So sorry life didn't get easier as you got older. Sorry to be rude, but I'm tired of these stupid threads popping up every week for the last 3 years(+, I'm sure).
Click to expand...

More than 3 years... you can find 'the sky is falling' articles from 10 years ago crying about the same stuff they cry about now.
 
I am just pointing out the facts that we're facing right now in this pharmacy profession and it's gonna get worse. These pre-pharms who have never been looking for jobs have absolutely no clue how frustrated it is when it comes to job seeking, especially when these jobs are becoming lesser and lesser everyday. And the worst part is u know that you have a monthly loan debt due every month, along with money to buy food to put in ur mouth everyday.

My pharmacy department just let one of the best pharmacists gone because of our hospital tight budget.

It's sad, very sad...but many do not realize and still think this is a joke.:(
 
zwipes said:
I am just pointing out the facts that we're facing right now in this pharmacy profession and it's gonna get worse. These pre-pharms who have never been looking for jobs have absolutely no clue how frustrated it is when it comes to job seeking, especially when these jobs are becoming lesser and lesser everyday. And the worst part is u know that you have a monthly loan debt due every month, along with money to buy food to put in ur mouth everyday.

My pharmacy department just let one of the best pharmacists gone because of our hospital tight budget.

It's sad, very sad...but many do not realize and still think this is a joke.:(
Click to expand...

You said you been in this profession for over 25 years...back then pharmacy school is very cheap and most people didn't even have to take out any loans. SO why are you concerned with loans? :confused:

Also r you sure medicine is the BEST to do right now? personally, I would rather not touch/cut/operate on anyone or see their blood/bloody fluids...I don't care if they pay me 1 million dollars a year.
 
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SHC1984 said:
You said you been in this profession for over 25 years...back then pharmacy school is very cheap and most people didn't even have to take out any loans. SO why are you concerned with loans? :confused:

Also r you sure medicine is the BEST to do right now? personally, I would rather not touch/cut/operate on anyone or see their blood/bloody fluids...I don't care if they pay me 1 million dollars a year.
Click to expand...

I paid off my student loan yrs ago, little girl..I just feel sad for future pre-pharm kids.
 
zwipes said:
I 've been a pharmacist in practice for 25 years and i have been reading this forum for a month or so. Realizing that our pharmacy profession is going in a wrong direction, i decided to write this thread for everyone, especially the pre-pharms , to inform you guys what is going on out there, and the future of our pharmacy profession.

FACTS:

1. Most new grads are struggling to find jobs in most areas . I repeat "most areas" right now.
2. A lot of pharmacists are relocating due to job loss, including me.
3. More and more graduates will make the supply way > demand.
4. More job loss due to hospital inability to make profits (medicaid cut, low reimbursement.
5. More job loss due to corp/business/chains are losing profits due to a slow economy.
6. More and more pharmacist (including me) will delay retirement and try to get more hours to cover for family members' job loss, etc...
7. Pharmacy Students Tuition increases annually across the country.
8. Undesired locations (such as Fresno, Bakersfiled) are getting more and more saturated every day.
9. Some pharmacists (including my fellow friends) who lost their jobs since 2009 and still could not find anything out there yet.

CONCLUSION

1. Supply > demand and will continue to.
2. Job loss in future...more laid offs coming if hospital/chains don't make profit enough.
3. Understaffed
4. Students graduate with no jobs + big student loan debts
5. Lots of students will do another career change (most likely into medicine, or PA route).
6. Jobs in hard-to-staff areas is drying up more and more.
Click to expand...

For some reason I don't expect someone who's 50+ years old to type "pre-pharms", "etc...", and "job loss in future...more laid offs coming" ....

And all the lower case 'i's ... You only capitalized one "I" in the first paragraph :smuggrin:
 
zwipes said:
I paid off my student loan yrs ago, little girl..I just feel sad for future pre-pharm kids.
Click to expand...

I wish I was little, I am actually pretty old myself. You are right about the job market though, but what can anyone do about it?

If medicine is the best thing to do then I am glad I choose pharmacy b/c I would not want to be a MD. I have the grades for it, but don't like the job. I can't go into a field that is completely disgusting just b/c the job security is better.
 
kmoogs said:
For some reason I don't expect someone who's 50+ years old to type "pre-pharms", "etc...", and "job loss in future...more laid offs coming" ....

And all the lower case 'i's ... You only capitalized one "I" in the first paragraph :smuggrin:
Click to expand...

Exactly. While correlation may not necessarily imply causation in the pharmacy realm, I'm willing to bet this guy doesn't even hold a PharmD and is just trolling us.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted...
 
kmoogs said:
For some reason I don't expect someone who's 50+ years old to type "pre-pharms", "etc...", and "job loss in future...more laid offs coming" ....

And all the lower case 'i's ... You only capitalized one "I" in the first paragraph :smuggrin:
Click to expand...
:smuggrin: Oh good you noticed this too. I was going to mention it, but I didn't want to seem to critical. It also bothers me how OP uses "u" in other replies.:wtf:
 
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