You do not have to be in pharmacy school to get a job as a tech. Actually, very few techs are in pharmacy school. Once in pharm school, students work as pharmacy interns. You would have to check the laws in your area, but to begin working as a tech, or relatively shortly there after, a tech has to take a test to gain his/her tech license. Some people start out as cashiers in the pharmacy and then move on to tech status upon completing tech certification if there is an opening.
Other ways to gain experience in a pharmacy would be, as you suggested, to volunteer. I'm sure you could go to a local hospital and follow a clinical pharmacist around. If you wanted retail exposure, going to a independent pharmacy to talk to the owner may be your best bet. Don't get discouraged if you are initially turned down, as Hipaa laws and the possibility of a volunteer pilfering the pharmacy exists. Just keep trying, and I'm sure you can find many opportunities in a variety of settings that will enable you to achieve a broad understanding of the many facets of pharmacy.
Hope this helps,
Jason
