Pay cut for Pharm. tech job? Worth it or not?

[XxAlbertoxX]

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Hi guys, I just got a job offer for a Pharm. Tech. Now, I currently work as a Security guard and make $12.55.

The Pharm. Tech job will pay $10.00 if I'm lucky (The manager is trying to get me more money since I make more than this).

I only work part-time because I am completing the pre-pharmacy pre-requisites but my status is "full-time" so I get all the benefits and insurance etc...

I would be a "part-time" status as a Pharm. tech (so no vacation days, or other benefits etc..).

Is this worth it? I really want to be a Pharmacist and making any possible attempts to get in the field and network etc...

I already am getting straight A's in the pre-req's and am volunteering my butt off, and this offer came up so I was happy.

I'm probably still going to do it, because even though there is a paycut, I would be able to network and really get to know the job better, and the "Security" on my resume doesn't really make me feel satisified...

but I was curious about your opinions, because I sometimes hear the Pharm. tech job really doesn't help your application to pharm. school..

Thanks again.

 

[velvet75]

I took a major pay cut when I found a job as a pharmacy tech. When I left my old job a lot of people told me I was dumb for leaving for less pay. But I looked at the bigger picture. I told myself "did I want to stay at my current dead end job that I disliked or go into a field that highly interested me and could potentially lead to greater opportunities?" I chose the latter and I am glad I did. I ended up getting paid more as a pharmacy tech as time went on. I met a lot of pharmacists who were all eager to write recommendations for me and I learned a lot about the pharmacy field.

Also, is it possible to keep both jobs? That's what I did prior to quitting my dead end job.

So in the end, you truly have to look at your life and decide what you want for yourself.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Unless someone relies on you having benefits like a spouse or child, then I think you should absolutely do it. Pharmacy tech. experience is invaluable and you did the impossible!

Congrats!

 

[whatbout2morrow]

Unless someone relies on you having benefits like a spouse or child, then I think you should absolutely do it. Pharmacy tech. experience is invaluable and you did the impossible!

Congrats!

👍

If you only have yourself to take care of and think you will be able to make it at $10 an hour, you should definitely go for it. You can always try to go into hospital later where you can potentially make $15+ per hour. The technician experience can only help your resume later on. It will definitely serve you better than the security guard experience.

 

[Grasshopper 88]

Very interesting thread because I'm going back and forth over a similar decision. There are pharm tech openings in my area but I'm thinking it would be about a 50% pay cut (I'm making $19/hour right now).

My question is can shadowing a pharmacist count for just as much as paid pharm tech experience on a resume? Thanks!

 

[Passion4Sci]

My question is can shadowing a pharmacist count for just as much as paid pharm tech experience on a resume? Thanks!

To me that's comparing apples & oranges because when you shadow, you'll be doing it in a clinical setting, in a slower paced atmosphere, and for a relatively short duration. I'm not aware of any retail locations that'll let you shadow. Even if you could, insurance would prohibit you from doing anything useful that is part of the learning process.

In general, shadowing is decent experience, but long-term volunteering & paid employment is SO much better. So, if it comes down to it, and you're already shadowing, don't quit your $19/hr job just for pharm. tech experienced.

OP doesn't have any experience (no shadowing / volunteering) and is only taking a couple dollar pay cut. You'd be looking at 8 or 9 bucks AND you have some pharm experience, so it's not as crucial for you.

Just my 5 euro worth.

 

[Grasshopper 88]

Thanks for the input Passion4Sci. You're right in that I haven't found any retail locations that will let me shadow. I'm still planning on approaching a few independent pharmacies to see that side of the shop.

I currently work at a hospital so I'm trying to use my connections there (and the email directory 😎) as much as possible to get longer-term shadowing and just networking in general.

Volunteering is next on the to do list.

 

[Crown Chakra]

I would suggest you work part-time at both jobs if you can(minimal amt. at 1/2 jobs so you don't wear yourself out). The Pharm. tech job will show you the retail end of pharmacy and you may end up not liking the experience. I, for sure, did not.
I think retail pharmacy, where you end up working at Wally World after receiving a Doctorate degree, is really a step-down. But anyway, I think keeping the Pharm. tech job for about ~3months will be enough to strengthen your CV. It's not the schools are interested in seeing that you worked retail for 5yrs, they just want you to be SURE you know what you are getting into. Therefore, if you still choose Pharmacy after working as a tech for 3 months, I highly doubt the schools will care. And if they ask, just say school came before jobs.
Also, there are some friends of mine who got into Pharm. school (ex pre-meds) with no prior tech experience; the schools just suggested they complete x amount of time before they started Pharm. school.
Good luck. I know you may assume a tech job is glorious esp. because you're a "pre-pharm" student but the retail aspect will wear you down to your soul, esp. if you're working with lazies, and worn-down techs who ARE stuck in the dead-end job.

 

[Rxtillidie]

Almost the same as my situation. I work in a bioresearch company, and have been trying to get a pharmacy tech job before school starts in the Fall. I actually got an interview with one retail company last Nov. and asked if I could work in the evenings or nights, but they said they needed a tech for daytime. I declined the offer because I make $23 now and they were offering me $8.50 because I had no experience. I didnt want to be earning $8.50 from last Nov till Sep when school actually commences, when I could still be making my $23. I sometimes feel I made the wrong decision, but come oon the difference in the wage was too much for me.

 

[Passion4Sci]

Almost the same as my situation. I work in a bioresearch company, and have been trying to get a pharmacy tech job before school starts in the Fall. I actually got an interview with one retail company last Nov. and asked if I could work in the evenings or nights, but they said they needed a tech for daytime. I declined the offer because I make $23 now and they were offering me $8.50 because I had no experience. I didnt want to be earning $8.50 from last Nov till Sep when school actually commences, when I could still be making my $23. I sometimes feel I made the wrong decision, but come oon the difference in the wage was too much for me.

I would definitely not drop from $23 to $8.50. That's nowhere near the same thing as $12.50 to $8.50.

$23 is a pretty decent wage.

 

[Bugieman]

I'm a 4th year student. I never worked in a pharmacy before pharmacy school and during undergrad I worked at a lab doing physics research. Now I'm seeing all my classmates who have had experience with different pharmacy companies(such as walgreens, cvs, walmart, etc) having an easier time finding a job while myself and the couple others of my class still waiting for offers.

Even if it doesn't help with getting into pharm school(which I think it does help), it will definitely help you with landing a job.

Most people take loans for pharmacy school. If you're gonna have to be taking out loans for school anyways, I don't think the difference in pay will be that big of a difference.

 

[30Percent]

I'm a 4th year student. I never worked in a pharmacy before pharmacy school and during undergrad I worked at a lab doing physics research. Now I'm seeing all my classmates who have had experience with different pharmacy companies(such as walgreens, cvs, walmart, etc) having an easier time finding a job while myself and the couple others of my class still waiting for offers.

Even if it doesn't help with getting into pharm school(which I think it does help), it will definitely help you with landing a job.

Most people take loans for pharmacy school. If you're gonna have to be taking out loans for school anyways, I don't think the difference in pay will be that big of a difference.

You weren't able to secure a pharmacy intern position while in pharmacy school?

 

[Bugieman]

My internship in the summer between P1 and P2 year was with a grocery store that has pretty much gone out of business. Every other summer I've had summer classes. But yes, having an internship with walgreen's or CVS probably would've been better for me. :-(

 

[XxAlbertoxX]

Hey guys, thanks for all your responses. I read each and everyone one. You guys are really helpful.

I'm going to end up taking the offer because it is a small dollar amount difference and I sincerely do think the experience will help a lot.

Thanks for all your help again,

-Alberto Pizano

 

[Passion4Sci]

Hey guys, thanks for all your responses. I read each and everyone one. You guys are really helpful.

I'm going to end up taking the offer because it is a small dollar amount difference and I sincerely do think the experience will help a lot.

Thanks for all your help again,

-Alberto Pizano

Good luck and keep us posted Alberto!

 

[SS Pharmacist]

Wow thanks for the thread i was going to post that exact question, tho for me im already a respiratory therapist(in a VA Hospital) and having access to pharmacist world is easy. I realize that it is not the same as working next to one day in day out, hence why i considered volunteer work. Any thoughts? Sorry if it seems that i takin the thread.😳

 

[Passion4Sci]

Wow thanks for the thread i was going to post that exact question, tho for me im already a respiratory therapist(in a VA Hospital) and having access to pharmacist world is easy. I realize that it is not the same as working next to one day in day out, hence why i considered volunteer work. Any thoughts? Sorry if it seems that i takin the thread.😳

Respiratory therapists make pretty good money here... not $12/hr. I would definitely not leave a job paying $18+ to become a pharmacy technician. I'd focus my efforts more on my academic profile and try my hardest to volunteer.