Summer..Internship-Work or Class?

[FuturePharmD7]

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Hey guys,

I'm in a 6 year pharmacy program and currently in the third year of this program (first year of pharmacy school). I was thinking ahead of what to do in the summer, and I can either decide to work as an intern somewhere if I can find a job. Note that I have never worked at a pharmacy before besides volunteering/rotation site visits for school or I can take the class pharmacology over the summer, which will take over two months since it's I and II. This class may be offered over the summer, but most likely it will be. My school requires me to do a rotation site at a community pharmacy for 3 weeks in the summer as well.

People have given me both responses, so I'm not sure exactly what to do. They both have their ups and downs. I'm not the brightest kid or worst kid in my class, but I managed to get by with mediocre grades. It will be a relief over fall semester by taking pharmacology obviously, but I don't know if I will remember everything for future classes since it's a pretty fast paced class. Money for taking the class isn't the issue either. However, I do need some experience and make money, which is a plus (granted that somebody hires me). I need to separate myself from the rest of my class when it comes to getting jobs as well in the future, so the experience might be helpful (internship).

Do you recommend applying EVERYWHERE or just take the class over the summer? Obviously, it's my decision, but I was just wondering what other future pharmacists think. Thank you for taking your time reading this and helping me out. I appreciate it.

P.S.-This might be a stupid question, but I was wondering if there is any difference between being an intern at a place and doing a 3 month internship program over the summer? Does a 3 month internship program solidfy your place as an intern throughout the year? I know the 3 month internship program over the summer is very competitive, but if anyone can clear this up, that would be helpful.

 

[FuturePharmD7]

I'm disappointed to see no responses after a day. Any help would be nice. Thanks once again.

 

[bacillus1]

I'm disappointed to see no responses after a day. Any help would be nice. Thanks once again.

If you don't have work experience yet, definitely work in the summer if you can find a place to work. I imagine it's better to do something where you'll stay year-round, but a 3-month internship won't hurt either. Just be aware that a lot of these jobs won't be too keen on giving you 3 weeks off when you just start, so try something like setting up the first 3 weeks after school ends to do IPPE and then work after that.

If you were in Philly or Pittsburgh, I'd suggest you a place to work if you can't find a pharmacy job, but from the way you're talking about your curriculum, I don't think you are.

BTW, mods, this post belongs in the pharmacy forum, as the OP is already a pharmacy student.

 

[FuturePharmD7]

If you don't have work experience yet, definitely work in the summer if you can find a place to work. I imagine it's better to do something where you'll stay year-round, but a 3-month internship won't hurt either. Just be aware that a lot of these jobs won't be too keen on giving you 3 weeks off when you just start, so try something like setting up the first 3 weeks after school ends to do IPPE and then work after that.

If you were in Philly or Pittsburgh, I'd suggest you a place to work if you can't find a pharmacy job, but from the way you're talking about your curriculum, I don't think you are.

BTW, mods, this post belongs in the pharmacy forum, as the OP is already a pharmacy student.

Thanks for your response. I'm actually from the Chicago area, but attend school in St. Louis. I have applied to many tech jobs in the years past with no success. Hopefully this year is a bit different.

 

[bacillus1]

Thanks for your response. I'm actually from the Chicago area, but attend school in St. Louis. I have applied to many tech jobs in the years past with no success. Hopefully this year is a bit different.

You're a pharmacy student. Why not apply for intern jobs? Just spend a day or 2 randomly walking into pharmacies that aren't right next to your school (so less people to compete with) and ask if they're hiring interns. Do it now (with the expectation that you'll start working as soon as your paperwork is finalized), and then do it again in April or May, when people will be graduating or on rotations and therefore more spots may be open. Things might open up anytime though.