Question about working...

[UTCPharm]

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Ok guys, I'm not really sure about what I should do about working during pharmacy school, but my question isn't really related to having enough time, let me explain...

I have been accepted to UT Memphis, and I have no experience working in a pharmacy. I definitely want to work during pharmacy school, but based on advice from other students, I've decided not to work during my first year. Basically my concern is how difficult it will be to jump into a job after my first year of school. Since I'm not a certified tech, I'm afraid I will have a hard time finding a job. Should I use this summer to study and get certified on my own(even though I won't look for a job for another year)? Or will the fact that I've completed a year of pharm school be enough to help me find a job?

One more question...when I do go to look for a job, should I search for an intern position or just any position as a technician? I'm not really sure how that works, but maybe I should just look for both and take whatever I can get. Anyhow, thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate the advice. 🙂

 

[alwaystired]

Ok guys, I'm not really sure about what I should do about working during pharmacy school, but my question isn't really related to having enough time, let me explain...

I have been accepted to UT Memphis, and I have no experience working in a pharmacy. I definitely want to work during pharmacy school, but based on advice from other students, I've decided not to work during my first year. Basically my concern is how difficult it will be to jump into a job after my first year of school. Since I'm not a certified tech, I'm afraid I will have a hard time finding a job. Should I use this summer to study and get certified on my own(even though I won't look for a job for another year)? Or will the fact that I've completed a year of pharm school be enough to help me find a job?

One more question...when I do go to look for a job, should I search for an intern position or just any position as a technician? I'm not really sure how that works, but maybe I should just look for both and take whatever I can get. Anyhow, thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate the advice. 🙂

I suggest working one day a week (Sat or Sun) for 4-8 hours as soon as you can. I never worked in a pharmacy before pharm. school and I have learned so much from working just a little bit. The experience is invaluable and the stuff you learn in school actually sticks a little bit better with some hands on work. Look for an intern job, it should be pretty easy to come by once you are in the program. From working just one day a week, I am way farther in my pharmacy experience than a lot of students who do not work at all. It will be tough to pick everything up at first, but when you are brand new, they should cut you some slack. And just think, it is better to be new and uncomfortable as an intern than as a pharmacist. It is hard to earn respect as a pharmacist (or P3 student) if you don't know what you are doing. The more you learn before you graduate, the more confident you can be and the more respect the pharmacy staff will show you. Sorry for the soap box.

 

[rxlynn]

Ok guys, I'm not really sure about what I should do about working during pharmacy school, but my question isn't really related to having enough time, let me explain...

I have been accepted to UT Memphis, and I have no experience working in a pharmacy. I definitely want to work during pharmacy school, but based on advice from other students, I've decided not to work during my first year. Basically my concern is how difficult it will be to jump into a job after my first year of school. Since I'm not a certified tech, I'm afraid I will have a hard time finding a job. Should I use this summer to study and get certified on my own(even though I won't look for a job for another year)? Or will the fact that I've completed a year of pharm school be enough to help me find a job?

One more question...when I do go to look for a job, should I search for an intern position or just any position as a technician? I'm not really sure how that works, but maybe I should just look for both and take whatever I can get. Anyhow, thanks in advance for your help, I really appreciate the advice. 🙂

Hi - sure, it's a good idea to get yourself certified. I'm sure you would not have to study too much for the calculation portion of the PTCB, and there are a lot of good study materials available out there. Whether you are certified or not, having a year of pharmacy school would certainly help you find a position. I am the lead technician at my store, and have been involved with hiring and interviewing the last 3 or 4 techs we've had - we would certainly be more interested in somebody who is already in pharmacy school. The big problem I can see is that it may be more difficult to find a position if you only want to work in the summer.

I can't say for all companies, but for CVS you can apply to the store through the on-line system like you were a technician, and then there will be an area on the application where you can say you are already in pharmacy school. They will figure out to code you as an intern if you are in school. You would not be hired as a technician if you are licensed in your state as an intern. In fact, in the CVS system you get a different job title every year (i.e. Pharmacy Intern 3rd Year, Pharmacy Intern 4th year, etc.)

And, I do agree with the other answer 100% - you should work at least a little if you can. It's one thing to study all this stuff in a book - another thing to be in the pharmacy and actually do the work. Also, assuming you get a standard retail intern position, it will help you decide if you want to go retail, or if you want to do other practice settings, which is a VERY IMPORTANT thing to know before you get out of school, imho.

BTW, I grew up in Chattanooga and spent some time on UTCs campus. Did you go to HS in Chattanooga too?

 

[UTCPharm]

Hi - sure, it's a good idea to get yourself certified. I'm sure you would not have to study too much for the calculation portion of the PTCB, and there are a lot of good study materials available out there. Whether you are certified or not, having a year of pharmacy school would certainly help you find a position. I am the lead technician at my store, and have been involved with hiring and interviewing the last 3 or 4 techs we've had - we would certainly be more interested in somebody who is already in pharmacy school. The big problem I can see is that it may be more difficult to find a position if you only want to work in the summer.

I can't say for all companies, but for CVS you can apply to the store through the on-line system like you were a technician, and then there will be an area on the application where you can say you are already in pharmacy school. They will figure out to code you as an intern if you are in school. You would not be hired as a technician if you are licensed in your state as an intern. In fact, in the CVS system you get a different job title every year (i.e. Pharmacy Intern 3rd Year, Pharmacy Intern 4th year, etc.)

And, I do agree with the other answer 100% - you should work at least a little if you can. It's one thing to study all this stuff in a book - another thing to be in the pharmacy and actually do the work. Also, assuming you get a standard retail intern position, it will help you decide if you want to go retail, or if you want to do other practice settings, which is a VERY IMPORTANT thing to know before you get out of school, imho.

BTW, I grew up in Chattanooga and spent some time on UTCs campus. Did you go to HS in Chattanooga too?

Thank you both for posting, I really appreciate the input. Right now my plan is to not work at all my first year, and then begin working the summer after that year, and continue to work throughout the rest of my school years. I just want the first year to get used to school. Plus, I'm going to be part of UT's new satellite campus, which unfortunately means I will have to go to Memphis for the first year, and I will spend the rest of my years in Knoxville (which is good for my wife and I b/c it's closer to home). Anyhow, if I began working my first year, I'd have to quit at the end of the school year and find a new job in Knoxville, so I just decided to wait til I get to Knoxville....I hope all that makes sense. 🙂

Anyhow rxlynn, I also grew up in Chattanooga, and I went to Ooltewah high school and have done all my undergrad work at UTC. How about you? Thanks again for your help.

 

[MoXiEguRl]

You could also go to a pharmacy and explain that you have been accepted to pharmacy school and you would like to gather information about working in the pharmacy by shadowing. Not getting paid or try to get them to pay you.. the head pharmacist should understand where you are coming from and try to get you in the pharmacy. I agree it is important to have an idea of pharmacy before getting into school.. it will help you to better understand what you're in for.. it also gives you a better understanding of what a pharmacy tech has to go thru.. therefore treating them better when you become a pharmacist. I've run into some pretty crappy pharmacists who treat their techs bad.. and its really sad because the pharmacist needs the tech and vice versa..

Good luck to you!!

 

[rxlynn]

Thank you both for posting, I really appreciate the input. Right now my plan is to not work at all my first year, and then begin working the summer after that year, and continue to work throughout the rest of my school years. I just want the first year to get used to school. Plus, I'm going to be part of UT's new satellite campus, which unfortunately means I will have to go to Memphis for the first year, and I will spend the rest of my years in Knoxville (which is good for my wife and I b/c it's closer to home). Anyhow, if I began working my first year, I'd have to quit at the end of the school year and find a new job in Knoxville, so I just decided to wait til I get to Knoxville....I hope all that makes sense. 🙂

Anyhow rxlynn, I also grew up in Chattanooga, and I went to Ooltewah high school and have done all my undergrad work at UTC. How about you? Thanks again for your help.

Oh - I was not familiar with the satellite campus issue. Yes, it would be a real pain to get a job in Memphis, then leave after a year. That is a wonderful program though - I think I would prefer Knoxville anyday over Memphis.

I went to Red Bank HS(class of 1984 - pharmacy is going to be a 3rd or 4th career for me, depending on how you count it!). I actually used the library at UTC some while I was still in HS - my mom went to UTC in the late 50's while it was still UofC, so she didn't mind taking me down there. And, I took a summer school class there - my bachelor's is from Clemson. I always really liked the campus and the size of UTC - I just wanted to go away from home for college.

Good luck!

 

[pinkyrx]

I personally would worry about getting certified if you're going to wait to get a job until after your first year. I don't think you'll have any problem finding a job once you're in pharmacy school. We are constantly getting emails to our class from other pharmacy students telling us about job openings at local pharmacies.

As long as money isn't an issue I think its smart to not work that first year. It's a lot to get used to at first and it will be easier to adjust if you're not working.

 

[sna]

What about if you do want to work your first year? Would any pharmacy hire a student when they only just started pharm school? How easy would it be to find a job the first year? Would it be under intern or tech?

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

You'd be considered an Intern since you are a pharmacy student. It's not that difficult finding a job as a pharmacy student however it can be time consuming. If you live in an area such as Indianapolis where you have a lot of Butler and Purdue students, finding a job can be a little difficult. All in all, if you live in a major metropolitan area I would have to say you'd be fine in terms of finding a job.