volunteering

[MyNameIsBlank]

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I have volunteered a lot in my life, but most of it has been over 7 years ago. That was b4 i graduated grad school, got a job, got married, had 2 kids. I've done a lil recently, but nothing hardcore. And none of it is pharm related - just general helping out community stuff.

Should i go do some hard core pharm volunteering now?

 

[omnione]

If you can gain experience without it being a detriment to your family, then I highly recommend that you do so. To be honest, many schools are forgiving about a lack of pharmacy experience if you have a busy life filled with situations where you display service towards others.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

You might not have to do as much as you think. Where I volunteer, I only go 2-4 hours a week. Whenever I get really swamped with stuff I need to do, I can skip also. This will completely depend on where you end up volunteering, but maybe you can fit a little in. Something else you could do is try shadowing pharmacists, which would give you some experience but not be a long-term commitment.

 

[MyNameIsBlank]

how does one go about shadowing a pharmacist. walk into a cvs and just ask?

 

[Hels2007]

how does one go about shadowing a pharmacist. walk into a cvs and just ask?

Not a bad start. Explain your situation and ask whether you could shadow them. If they say no, ask for the distric manager (or whatever CVS calls them) phone number, call and ask whether there is a store you could go and shadow.

 

[fenixtnlfan]

Also try searching the forum for ideas. I haven't ever done shadowing so I'm not sure how to go about it, but I know it has been discussed on here before.

 

[FredDurst]

You can also check out hospitals in your area. Those around me take in volunteers, and I'm now in one of their pharmacies. Contact them, they may have some orientation for you to go through before you begin.

 

[mustang sally]

Hi MyNameIsBlank,
I have a situation similar to yours. I am married with one child and a full time job. I did a lot of volunteering in undergrad but that was 7-8 years ago. I am still applying for 2008. The only volunteer work I have from the past year is PTA and other service events through my son's school...but this is the volunteer work that I have the most passion for now. I am debating whether or not to try to add hospital work this year in case I have to reapply for 2009, but I am definitely going to try to shadow before I (hopefully) have interviews. Good luck!