Shadowing VS Volunteer

[Electrode]

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In an attempt to gain some pharmacy experience, I'm making some moves towards shadowing a few pharmacists, while waiting for my volunteer applications to go through (i.e. if they ever will).


In terms of pharmacy experience with respect to pharmacy school applications, does shadowing count? If so, how significant is it as opposed to volunteer?

 

[Storm90]

I would mention it on your application. Shadowing should be counted. You're in a pharmacy environment, and you learn about pharmacy and how it works, who's responsible for what. While you're in the environment, you're not working, but you're learning, so it's better than nothing.

 

[trailrider400]

Shadowing is definitly good and shows that you have interest in the profession but if you're going to tell the admission committees that a few shadowing experiences changed your life and made you love pharmacy their probably going to throw the bull shyt flag. But with that said I think it is good to shadow and list it on your application. I'd definitly keep trying to volunteer in a hospital pharmacy. For me it was as easy as calling the hospitals volunteer coordinator and she fixed me up with the pharmacy director. When I volunteered I was able to shadow pharmacists if I wanted on pretty much any day I volunteered. I was then able to put down that I shadowed many pharmacists as PART of my volunteer experience which was very beneficial. The pharmacists would even let me do calculations (which they checked obviously) and figure out dosing with them. So if you can't volunteer I would or sure try to shadow pharmacists but volunteering really gives you more opportunities to do that and form relationships with the pharmacists.

 

[PharmD321]

In an attempt to gain some pharmacy experience, I'm making some moves towards shadowing a few pharmacists, while waiting for my volunteer applications to go through (i.e. if they ever will).


In terms of pharmacy experience with respect to pharmacy school applications, does shadowing count? If so, how significant is it as opposed to volunteer?

I agree that shadowing should be counted in the pharmcas. I think you should do both shadowing and volunteering. But, do the shadowing first, then volunteer, and then hopefully you can get the job as pharm tech during the weekend or something. Another thing might boost up your pharmcas application is if you get certification from PTCB.

Hope this helps and good luck.....

 

[GlamDoc]

Volunteering and shadowing sound great, but for something more long-term, try getting a pharm tech position. You'll have hands-on experience, develop a working relationship with the pharmacist, and get paid!

Study for the certification exam a bit, register for the test, and become a CPhT. Getting a job will be THAT much easier, if you're already certified.

Best of luck! 👍

 

[Electrode]

Thanks a lot to everyone for the input/tips. But of course, if you have anymore advice for me, I'm still here🙂

 

[trailrider400]

Volunteering and shadowing sound great, but for something more long-term, try getting a pharm tech position. You'll have hands-on experience, develop a working relationship with the pharmacist, and get paid!

Study for the certification exam a bit, register for the test, and become a CPhT. Getting a job will be THAT much easier, if you're already certified.

Best of luck! 👍

Exactly. I'd also start looking for a job as a tech. Start with retail because they take people with no experience. After you fill out applications you HAVE to go in to talk to the pharmacy manager or in most cases they won't even see your application (the pharmacist I work for didn't) and bring a resume with you to impress them. Also depending on where you life look for places that don't require you to be a clerk/cashier first. I know walgreens and cvs both do. I was able to start first day as a tech at a Cub pharmacy.
The more well rounded you are the better. Doing these things have given me a year of volunteer experience and work experience in both retail and a hospital. It will also give you a ton to talk about at your interview.