Seriously discouraged :(

[sungieality]

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I'm just wondering if I could hear the experiences or background of successful CA applicants who got into a CA pharmacy school without experience. I've been trying for months to get a technician position but to no avail. There was one employer I communicated with for a while who seemed genuinely interested in giving me a position but so far I still haven't been able to work and I'm not sure that I'll ever get one.

I know that I should keep perservering but I'm sure you can all imagine how disheartening it is to get rejected before you can even present yourself and your abilities to the employer. In addition, I'd like to be able to provide for my own application financially without having to keep relying on my parents and possibly letting them down if I get rejected from pharmacy school.

🙁

 

[catchsomezz]

you mean without pharmacy experience?
pharmacy experience is overrated xP. you can also volunteer if no paid positions are panning out :-/

 

[diastole]

I would try to volunteer or at least shadow if you can't find paid employment. I would think that if the recession continues that your experience will become increasingly common and the adcoms will see more and more people who aren't able to find jobs in pharmacy. Just keep trying and know that there are going to be lots of applicants in the same boat.

 

[BobJr350]

I am in a similar position as you are except I'm on the other coast in NJ. I have been searching for many months for a tech. position and even volunteer positions in a pharmacy are almost non-existent around here! Don't give up hope; for some reason I overlooked asking the pharmacist around the corner from my house for many months now. He has agreed to let me observe him for maybe 3 hours a week, not much but it will add up. The way I figure, my parents + grandma fill many prescriptions there monthly and have made him a quite a bit of money over the years, so maybe he owes this to me a little bit. 😀 Maybe you should ask a pharmacist who you or your relatives regularly visit. Good luck to you and don't give up! If this is what you really want then keep pushing for it.

 

[sungieality]

Thank you everyone for your kindness. I am hoping that the adcoms will take the current state of our economy into consideration when reviewing apps, but I do know that I can't get complacent about looking for opportunities. I did try asking if I could volunteer or even shadow at many of the places but it seems that volunteering in a pharmacy has become much more of a liability of late so I don't think that's a viable option, in my area at least. Thanks again guys, I'll keep trying and hopefully something'll turn up. 🙂

 

[tomk]

i got interviews with ZERO pharmacy experience.

My stats were over 3.5 pharmcas in most things science, some at 3.7 and 4.0

Be prepared to explain why you don't have any pharmacy experience. I explained that I was out the military, and living off the GI Bill (no parental help), that no pharmacies were hiring, and that I couldn't volunteer due to working and studying; that I needed to be paid while getting pharmacy experience.

I've been told that is no excuse, and that I was at a disadvantage due to having no experience. Be prepared to answer, "how do you know pharmacy is for you if you've never been exposed to it".

You are at a disadvantage, If you have financial help from your parents, I suggest volunteering at a hospital instead of working. You will be going up against people with the same stats as you, plus the fact they have a year or 2 of pharm experience, plus tech licenses. I think most CA schools look highly at pharm experience.

 

[Sparda29]

you mean without pharmacy experience?
pharmacy experience is overrated xP. you can also volunteer if no paid positions are panning out :-/

That's the problem with pharmacy schools today. Pharmacy Experience should be a requirement, paid or volunteer. It saves a lot of headaches when people get into pharmacy school and then have a hard time picking up what others who did work in a pharmacy consider basic knowledge.

 

[defacto]

If you can't get a tech job and you need experience for 2010 application, you can try getting a volunteer position at a hospital. You can try scripps. However, I agree, you'd probably learn more at a tech job since you will have access to the drugs and be assigned to more responsibilities.

 

[sungieality]

If I were still in San Diego I think there'd be a lot more options, but I'm actually in the Bay Area right now and it's unbelievably saturated. I'm taking classes at the moment, so I don't feel completely worthless, but I'll definitely get the volunteer experience. I have a tech license, but without the experience, it's just a meaningless piece of paper.

 

[Passion4Sci]

If I were still in San Diego I think there'd be a lot more options, but I'm actually in the Bay Area right now and it's unbelievably saturated. I'm taking classes at the moment, so I don't feel completely worthless, but I'll definitely get the volunteer experience. I have a tech license, but without the experience, it's just a meaningless piece of paper.

Where in the Bay are you? It's a big place, and I know a couple businesses that are hiring for P/T CPhTs. Also the hospital where I volunteer at can always use more help.

This forum is too cool for skewl!

 

[aboveliquidice]

Persistence and perseverance... Have one and you will develop the other.

 

[sungieality]

Where in the Bay are you? It's a big place, and I know a couple businesses that are hiring for P/T CPhTs. Also the hospital where I volunteer at can always use more help.

This forum is too cool for skewl!

PMed you! I agree with you, I'd be lost without it. 😛

 

[WhiteSnows]

I had no pharmacy experience just like you, and I still got in. I do not know CA school, but I live in FLorida. During my interview, a question was asked to tell them my pharmacy experience. Of course, I had none. Firstly, I told them I have applied for 3 hospitals for months, and still have not heard from them. Secondly, I quickly switched my focus on another subject. I told them I was a chemistry tutor for 3 years at my school. I told them that I have been working with many students both young and old. During my work time, I have learned from such and such...(mention it out).

I believe that there are other ways to obtain the same skill like working in pharmacy such as communication skill. With volunteering, you can tell them you learn how to communicate with people. The only thing you do not have is you do not exposure to drug information. But I always find this lack of experience not too hard to make up. You can learn it in pharmacy school. You can buy books about drugs and study it. You can google it. I believe they will understand how difficult it is to find a job right now.

I recommend you to start volunteering right now. Make sure people like you so that you may have full confidence when explaining to pharmacy school interviewers.

 

[charfdorn]

You're at a disadvantage without experience. I didn't have any, and got rejected by one of two schools. I did get in (I don't live in CA), but I felt like even a few points lower on the PCAT and I might not have. Don't give up! Keep trying, get a volunteer position if you need to, and consider some out-of-state schools, too.

 

[catchsomezz]

bah humbug. i think pharmacy experience puts you ahead of the crowd, sort of like how taking upperdiv biochem/extra bio classes would better prepare you for pharmacy. so those who dont have pharmacy experience...we're right on track 😀

of course you might have a better understanding, but they teach you all you need IN pharmacy school. some people might STILL lag, but i think that is more due to their own personal studying habits rather than their lack of prior pharmacy experience.

That's the problem with pharmacy schools today. Pharmacy Experience should be a requirement, paid or volunteer. It saves a lot of headaches when people get into pharmacy school and then have a hard time picking up what others who did work in a pharmacy consider basic knowledge.

 

[JJVmom]

Contact the San Diego Red Cross. They handle the volunteers for all the military hospitals in the county. I've been volunteering at a base pharmacy this summer and have loved every minute of it. Also, you can work it around your school schedule. PM me if you want specifics.

 

[koercive]

I got in without any experience. (I shadowed for 1 month)

 

[Transformer]

I got in without any experience. (I shadowed for 1 month)

I'm not a successful California applicant, but I know enough successful CA applicant to say that for California pharmacy schools, your GPA can be way more important than extensive pharmacy experiences.

If you're like koercive and have a really high GPA, you don't need a lot pharmacy experience. Volunteering a little will do, and most Cali schools will give you interview invites, because your GPA shows you have the potential to succeed in pharmacy school.

For everyone else in the 3.1, 3.2 to 3.4 GPA range, You'll want to have some form of consistent pharmacy volunteering and/or work experiences to make yourself stand out among the thousands of applicants who apply to California pharmacy schools.

Anyone at 3.0, or below, I recomend applying to Non-California pharmacy schools.

 

[rphfan2009]

I'm just wondering if I could hear the experiences or background of successful CA applicants who got into a CA pharmacy school without experience. I've been trying for months to get a technician position but to no avail. There was one employer I communicated with for a while who seemed genuinely interested in giving me a position but so far I still haven't been able to work and I'm not sure that I'll ever get one.

I know that I should keep perservering but I'm sure you can all imagine how disheartening it is to get rejected before you can even present yourself and your abilities to the employer. In addition, I'd like to be able to provide for my own application financially without having to keep relying on my parents and possibly letting them down if I get rejected from pharmacy school.

🙁

Keep being persistent and you will get a tech position. It took me 6 months to land one. I had to bartend at a country club until my offer came through. Keep positive 🙂

 

[rphfan2009]

I am in a similar position as you are except I'm on the other coast in NJ. I have been searching for many months for a tech. position and even volunteer positions in a pharmacy are almost non-existent around here! Don't give up hope; for some reason I overlooked asking the pharmacist around the corner from my house for many months now. He has agreed to let me observe him for maybe 3 hours a week, not much but it will add up. The way I figure, my parents + grandma fill many prescriptions there monthly and have made him a quite a bit of money over the years, so maybe he owes this to me a little bit. 😀 Maybe you should ask a pharmacist who you or your relatives regularly visit. Good luck to you and don't give up! If this is what you really want then keep pushing for it.

I agree with this guy...listen to him.

 

[rphfan2009]

i got interviews with ZERO pharmacy experience.

My stats were over 3.5 pharmcas in most things science, some at 3.7 and 4.0

Be prepared to explain why you don't have any pharmacy experience. I explained that I was out the military, and living off the GI Bill (no parental help), that no pharmacies were hiring, and that I couldn't volunteer due to working and studying; that I needed to be paid while getting pharmacy experience.

I've been told that is no excuse, and that I was at a disadvantage due to having no experience. Be prepared to answer, "how do you know pharmacy is for you if you've never been exposed to it".

You are at a disadvantage, If you have financial help from your parents, I suggest volunteering at a hospital instead of working. You will be going up against people with the same stats as you, plus the fact they have a year or 2 of pharm experience, plus tech licenses. I think most CA schools look highly at pharm experience.

It is true that some applicants get in w/ no pharmacy experience, but I would rather go in w/ the experience

 

[rphfan2009]

That's the problem with pharmacy schools today. Pharmacy Experience should be a requirement, paid or volunteer. It saves a lot of headaches when people get into pharmacy school and then have a hard time picking up what others who did work in a pharmacy consider basic knowledge.

I agree with you 100% and have heard similiar opinions voiced by registered pharmacists that I have spoken with.

Another comment that I would like to add: pharmacy experience should also be mandatory in order to weed out those who truly want to be in the field and those who are only there for the paycheck. I get sooooooo mad anymore when people talk about going to pharmacy school just for the $$$ and act like its some easy paycheck. Pharmacy is serious sh** and not something to be taken lightly. I really hate those people.

 

[rphfan2009]

I had no pharmacy experience just like you, and I still got in. I do not know CA school, but I live in FLorida. During my interview, a question was asked to tell them my pharmacy experience. Of course, I had none. Firstly, I told them I have applied for 3 hospitals for months, and still have not heard from them. Secondly, I quickly switched my focus on another subject. I told them I was a chemistry tutor for 3 years at my school. I told them that I have been working with many students both young and old. During my work time, I have learned from such and such...(mention it out).

I believe that there are other ways to obtain the same skill like working in pharmacy such as communication skill. With volunteering, you can tell them you learn how to communicate with people. The only thing you do not have is you do not exposure to drug information. But I always find this lack of experience not too hard to make up. You can learn it in pharmacy school. You can buy books about drugs and study it. You can google it. I believe they will understand how difficult it is to find a job right now.

I recommend you to start volunteering right now. Make sure people like you so that you may have full confidence when explaining to pharmacy school interviewers.

Volunteering idea is excellent.

 

[rphfan2009]

You're at a disadvantage without experience. I didn't have any, and got rejected by one of two schools. I did get in (I don't live in CA), but I felt like even a few points lower on the PCAT and I might not have. Don't give up! Keep trying, get a volunteer position if you need to, and consider some out-of-state schools, too.

I feel the same way this guy does

 

[AKN16]

I'm just wondering if I could hear the experiences or background of successful CA applicants who got into a CA pharmacy school without experience. I've been trying for months to get a technician position but to no avail. There was one employer I communicated with for a while who seemed genuinely interested in giving me a position but so far I still haven't been able to work and I'm not sure that I'll ever get one.

I know that I should keep perservering but I'm sure you can all imagine how disheartening it is to get rejected before you can even present yourself and your abilities to the employer. In addition, I'd like to be able to provide for my own application financially without having to keep relying on my parents and possibly letting them down if I get rejected from pharmacy school.

🙁

Def try volunteering, if this not-finding-a-tech-job continues.. I too had trouble looking for that kind of a job, but never was able to land one (I live in Michigan which should be going bankrupt any time soon). I then decided to volunteer at an inpatient pharmacy, which was the best decision I made...

keep looking around, but when in doubt go with the other option- it's better to have some pharmacy experience than nothing..

 

[Ji the Captain]

I'm just wondering if I could hear the experiences or background of successful CA applicants who got into a CA pharmacy school without experience. I've been trying for months to get a technician position but to no avail. There was one employer I communicated with for a while who seemed genuinely interested in giving me a position but so far I still haven't been able to work and I'm not sure that I'll ever get one.

I know that I should keep perservering but I'm sure you can all imagine how disheartening it is to get rejected before you can even present yourself and your abilities to the employer. In addition, I'd like to be able to provide for my own application financially without having to keep relying on my parents and possibly letting them down if I get rejected from pharmacy school.

🙁

NEVER GIVE UP MAN! keep trying. but here is what I did. Even if you cannot employment as a pharmacy technician, remember that you are STILL a certified pharmacy technician, assuming you passed your PTCBs. Being a certified Pharmacy Technician looks very good on your resume. You dont even need pharmacy experience.
😉
Go to a local hospital and look for volunteer opportunities, even in nursing homes. That is what i did

 

[WurangBlang]

I got into a CA pharm school(one of the major ones) without any pharm experience. However, i did have extensive research exp.(nanotechnology/biochem), hospital volunteer exp., high gpa, strong lor and many other community involvement and unique job experience etc. Sure, not having a pharm experience is a disadvantage (my interviewers also mentioned it too), but adcom is looking for all-around individuals with various kinds of experiences, not only pharmacy.

GOod luck!

 

[gatewasani]

I took some advice from here and went out and applied at an independent pharmacy, hopefully I get the job but if not, I'm gonna ask if I could at least volunteer or shadow, hopefully they say yes.

 

[IrishHammer]

Persistence and perseverance... Have one and you will develop the other.

And if you have both, then you probably own a thesaurus.

 

[Monalyce]

While I'm definitely for pharmacy experience, while you're working and waiting for an opportunity, get experience in health care of some kind. Just seeing how the medical world works, whether it be in a dr's office, hospital ward, or any kind of care facility is WAY better than nothing at all.

And don't give up! It took me a good 6 months of calling (and more importantly, visiting in person!) several pharmacies in my area before I was able to land a position. Even then, I met my boss halfway- I worked the register for the store itself while she gave me a few "training" hours a week in the pharmacy.

 

[aboveliquidice]

While I'm definitely for pharmacy experience, while you're working and waiting for an opportunity, get experience in health care of some kind. Just seeing how the medical world works, whether it be in a dr's office, hospital ward, or any kind of care facility is WAY better than nothing at all.

And don't give up! It took me a good 6 months of calling (and more importantly, visiting in person!) several pharmacies in my area before I was able to land a position. Even then, I met my boss halfway- I worked the register for the store itself while she gave me a few "training" hours a week in the pharmacy.

Great advice...

 

[xtsukiyox]

Because of the advice I got on this forum, I've just landed a regular, evening volunteer position at a local Christian clinic for the uninsured working in their medicine room (since they're certified by the board of health instead of the board of pharmacy, the docs do the dispensing and it ain' called a pharmacy). All the people are really great... I'm pretty excited to be going again tonight. 🙂 Hopefully, when the time comes, I can get the medical director to write me a LOR.

Took me a while and some perserverance / persistence / thesaurus to find it:

I gave my resume to one independent pharmacist and answered a few questions in person, but he never called me back. It's actually easier he didn't - now I can take a Saturday class. 😛

Called a couple others and got "no, not hiring, don't even have enough work for the people I'm paying." Never got a response from the chains after I put in my applications (then again, I'm not sure I can work the minimum 15 hours).

Hospital wants me to take a half-day from work to come down for their orientation, and I can't get a straight answer on whether they have room in the pharmacy or not.

Anyway, my point being, keep trying! Think of off-beat things you might be able to do, since pharm tech positions are flooded around the country. Good luck guys & gals! 😀

 

[justjack]

keep your hopes up! i totally gave up on the idea even though i applied to all the chains and guess what...i not only got a call back, i got the position and now here's another kicker, i got another call from second chain! can you believe that...and i'm in socal so that's just unheard of, for me anyways 😀

 

[Jetninjin]

"but it seems that volunteering in a pharmacy has become much more of a liability of late"

... What do you mean?

 

[confettiflyer]

I'm not a successful California applicant, but I know enough successful CA applicant to say that for California pharmacy schools, your GPA can be way more important than extensive pharmacy experiences.

If you're like koercive and have a really high GPA, you don't need a lot pharmacy experience. Volunteering a little will do, and most Cali schools will give you interview invites, because your GPA shows you have the potential to succeed in pharmacy school.

For everyone else in the 3.1, 3.2 to 3.4 GPA range, You'll want to have some form of consistent pharmacy volunteering and/or work experiences to make yourself stand out among the thousands of applicants who apply to California pharmacy schools.

Anyone at 3.0, or below, I recomend applying to Non-California pharmacy schools.

Yeah, most of my friends that got into CA schools did so without any direct pharmacy experience. Your work experiences aren't going to significantly sway the adcoms...if you are relying on outside factors (experience, awards, etc...) to get into a CA pharm school, you're probably not a competitive candidate, so (do what I did) and seek out of state admission.

"but it seems that volunteering in a pharmacy has become much more of a liability of late"

... What do you mean?

I'll bet this means it's a liability on the part of the employer. Most insurance companies do NOT want non-employees milling around workplaces because, simply put, they are added liability with no added revenue. Employers pay liability insurance generally on the # of employees in that setting as each employee generates a certain amount of risk. "Under the table" volunteers generate risk as well.

So, unless a hospital/org has a formal volunteer program, the answer is usually going to be "no." Don't even think about trying to volunteer in the retail pharm setting, they're most keen on costs.

 

[sungieality]

Yeah, most of my friends that got into CA schools did so without any direct pharmacy experience. Your work experiences aren't going to significantly sway the adcoms...if you are relying on outside factors (experience, awards, etc...) to get into a CA pharm school, you're probably not a competitive candidate, so (do what I did) and seek out of state admission.

I'll bet this means it's a liability on the part of the employer. Most insurance companies do NOT want non-employees milling around workplaces because, simply put, they are added liability with no added revenue. Employers pay liability insurance generally on the # of employees in that setting as each employee generates a certain amount of risk. "Under the table" volunteers generate risk as well.

So, unless a hospital/org has a formal volunteer program, the answer is usually going to be "no." Don't even think about trying to volunteer in the retail pharm setting, they're most keen on costs.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant about the liability issue. The hospitals, especially, look at you like you're nuts when you say you want to volunteer in the pharmacy department.

Well, sadly, I'm only applying to CA schools because I don't really want to leave the state and I do feel like my GPA is fairly competitive... but having that extra experience would definitely have given me some peace of mind :/

 

[confettiflyer]

Yes, that's exactly what I meant about the liability issue. The hospitals, especially, look at you like you're nuts when you say you want to volunteer in the pharmacy department.

Well, sadly, I'm only applying to CA schools because I don't really want to leave the state and I do feel like my GPA is fairly competitive... but having that extra experience would definitely have given me some peace of mind :/

If you feel you're competitive, that's fine...I'd really suggest throwing in an OOS school that's nearby (USN, Midwestern Glendale, Pacific Univ. Oregon) as an added hedge. Apply late in the cycle so you can decline their interview (and associated costs) after you find out about CA schools.

but I wouldn't worry about it...people put too much weight on being a pharmacy monkey for 6 months, just focus on the fact that there's a wide world of pharmacy that you *can't* experience and that's why you're interested in the degree...that there is a wide # of niches you'd like to discover in school.

 

[Haleyzx]

I got in with no pharmacy experience, not even volunteering. the only thing i have is a pharm tech license, but even with that i couldn't find any pharmacy relate jobs/positions. I also live in the bay area, where alot of the hospitals near by don't allow volunteers in their pharmacy, and the a few drug stores that are hiring is only looking for people with pharmacy experience already ><. i know it's tough. don't give up !!