What Are Alternatives to Pharmacy? I'm Out of Work

[PikminOC]

Well at least there is job security. Haha. I wouldn’t mind searching for a residency if i know ill have a decent career afterwards.

These mid-levels are pushing physicians out. Hospitals would rather hire one physician to supervise several mid-levels than more physicians. I didn't know about this either when I went to med school.

It's very difficult to get residency from foreign schools now as do students are now in the MD match and there are more do schools opening up.

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[TerryTerry]

I do want to point something out. You are applying out of state in the wrong order. If you are licensed then you apply to any job in a state with reciprocity regardless of if you already have a license there. You can get your license by reciprocity after you have a job.

Really?
Employers are going to wait for you not knowing how long that will take and if you will pass mpje or not? Interesting

 

[aznkukuboi]

Get a job in California. Heck you can take my job. I'll give it to you.

 

[gwarm01]

Really?
Employers are going to wait for you not knowing how long that will take and if you will pass mpje or not? Interesting

I think it depends on the job and the person. Retail? Never gonna happen unless you are applying to a very remote or difficult to staff area and are willing to sign a contract. More specialized positions are willing to take a chance on the right candidate. For what it's worth, I have received out of state offers for a NICU specialist and informatics positions. If they are willing to fly you in and pay for your hotel, they are willing to wait for your license.

 

[Justine16]

What is AFBB? Anyone have any more ideas? I can't be a UPS package handler because I can't lift more than 5 pounds. I already got rejected from PipelineRx.

 

[rxkrafted]

What is AFBB? Anyone have any more ideas? I can't be a UPS package handler because I can't lift more than 5 pounds. I already got rejected from PipelineRx.

Why can't you lift more than 5 lbs? I think there is more to the story that may contribute to why you aren't getting any interviews...

 

[Sparda29]

If you aren't now...start asking around the flying community re: getting some help paying for training...who is hiring and for what..etc....maybe the EAA has some info...There is an Airline Pilot web site which may have info...The great flood of retirees out of the airlines is starting.and unlike pharmacists..retiring is mandatory.....ATC is a thought too...

ATC would bore the hell out of me. I don't want to follow the traditional path of joining a regional airline and working for 50k a year. I heard that cargo pilots do better in terms of pay.

 

[Justine16]

I injured my back in a car accident years ago. I was stopped at a red light, and a guy rear ended me.

 

[pencilandpen]

I injured my back in a car accident years ago. I was stopped at a red light, and a guy rear ended me.

Well I am sorry for what happened to you. But there goes all your retail opportunities that requires you to be on two feet at all times

 

[laepharmD]

There are open positions everywhere that people don't like. Look at the worst places in the US like Detroit, Alaska, and remote areas far far far away from the city. I was looking for a job few months ago and I had 6 interviews and my resume had misspellings and I bombed all interviews except one and I have a job now.

Detroit is NOT a bad City ( do you even live there? Visited recently?)and there are not as many jobs in Michigan either. Definitely try remote or prn places. You never know what can turn into full time

 

[PharmaSex]

What state are you in? Maybe I could help.

 

[KidPharmD]

Well I am sorry for what happened to you. But there goes all your retail opportunities that requires you to be on two feet at all times

I would say that he doesn't need to mention it as it would be hard to argue that a stool would be a reasonable accommodation. However, I think the retail jobs I had all said 15 lbs or something (a drug tote or a box of labels). With that kind of restriction, then mail order/specialty desk jobs may be it.

 

[KidPharmD]

Really?
Employers are going to wait for you not knowing how long that will take and if you will pass mpje or not? Interesting

If it is a job they have a hard time filling (the kind you take when you have been out of work so long), then they usually will wait. I was able to get my license before on-boarding was over the two times I did it.

 

[Hedgehog32]

If it is a job they have a hard time filling (the kind you take when you have been out of work so long), then they usually will wait. I was able to get my license before on-boarding was over the two times I did it.

Just out of curiosity, what would be some examples of pharmacist jobs that employers tend to have a hard time filling (and would therefore be willing to review applications submitted by applicants who have yet to obtain licensure)?

Thanks

 

[Hels2007]

I would like to know that too...

I know of plenty of hard-to-fill positions but none are for recent pharmacy school grads, all require specific (sometimes very specific experience).

 

[Pharma-Sis]

Try getting a FL license and apply for AspenRx? It is like a mobile MTM service from what I hear.

This if you are not FL licensed already. Also they are getting clients in Virginia and Texas if those states are something that you have licenses for as well. The thing is, if you are trying to do this full-time, be prepared to make 300+ calls/day (says one of the folks in office). I only do it sparingly as I am still looking for work but this helps with some extra income. CMRs are hard to complete but TMRs are easier to do yet pay a heck of a lot less.

You also need a specific model of iPhone/iPad/iPad Mini to use their app. They are working on Android soon.

 

[Hedgehog32]

I would like to know that too...

I know of plenty of hard-to-fill positions but none are for recent pharmacy school grads, all require specific (sometimes very specific experience).

Do you know what kinds of pharmacist positions these are? Just curious

 

[Hels2007]

Do you know what kinds of pharmacist positions these are? Just curious

They are not specifically pharmacist positions but some people who work in these fields happen to be pharmacists. Competitive intelligence and market access (strategy and analytics in particular, not sure what the outlook is like for field roles like account managers) are good niches, openings are not ubiquitous, but there isn't much competition.

 

[Judgment Dragon]

Which states are you licensed in?

 

[Momus]

I injured my back in a car accident years ago. I was stopped at a red light, and a guy rear ended me.

That's a nice 50-100k settlement if you get a personal injury lawyer.

 

[KidPharmD]

Just out of curiosity, what would be some examples of pharmacist jobs that employers tend to have a hard time filling (and would therefore be willing to review applications submitted by applicants who have yet to obtain licensure)?

Thanks

Think about a place you really wouldn't want to work. There.
I have had friends that tell recruiters that they would literally work anywhere and they got jobs out of state (in the last couple of years). One works in Podunk and one works in the hood.

 

[Hedgehog32]

Think about a place you really wouldn't want to work. There.
I have had friends that tell recruiters that they would literally work anywhere and they got jobs out of state (in the last couple of years). One works in Podunk and one works in the hood.

Dang... are they planning on moving to somewhere more desirable after working where they're at for a few more years? In general, how long does someone have to work in the middle of nowhere before they can be competitive for a job in a more desirable area?

 

[Sine Cura]

Chain retail - never unless your "desirable" area overlaps with Podunk or the hood

Not chain retail - depends on what you bring to the table wrt to expertise and skills (chain retail does not recognize any of that, thus never)

 

[gwarm01]

Just out of curiosity, what would be some examples of pharmacist jobs that employers tend to have a hard time filling (and would therefore be willing to review applications submitted by applicants who have yet to obtain licensure)?

Thanks

Hyper specialized positions can be hard to fill. Do you have a PGY2 and experience with pediatric bone marrow transplants? Because there are probably a handful of hospitals that would love to speak with you.

Positions in extremely remote and undesirable locations are also hard to fill. Think border towns in the SW, California Inland Empire, middle of nowhere in the Dakotas, podunk town in the middle of the Florida Everglades where the temperature regularly breaks 100F with extreme humidity (shout out to beautiful Lake Okeechobee and its exceptional bass fishing).

 

[mentos]

Dang... are they planning on moving to somewhere more desirable after working where they're at for a few more years? In general, how long does someone have to work in the middle of nowhere before they can be competitive for a job in a more desirable area?

If you work where no one else wants to then they have no reason to transfer you.

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

Hyper specialized positions can be hard to fill. Do you have a PGY2 and experience with pediatric bone marrow transplants? Because there are probably a handful of hospitals that would love to speak with you.

Positions in extremely remote and undesirable locations are also hard to fill. Think border towns in the SW, California Inland Empire, middle of nowhere in the Dakotas, podunk town in the middle of the Florida Everglades where the temperature regularly breaks 100F with extreme humidity (shout out to beautiful Lake Okeechobee and its exceptional bass fishing).

If you're a smart pharmacy owner, these are places where you would buy your pharmacies. Especially pharmacies with 340B.

 

[Hedgehog32]

Hyper specialized positions can be hard to fill. Do you have a PGY2 and experience with pediatric bone marrow transplants? Because there are probably a handful of hospitals that would love to speak with you.

Positions in extremely remote and undesirable locations are also hard to fill. Think border towns in the SW, California Inland Empire, middle of nowhere in the Dakotas, podunk town in the middle of the Florida Everglades where the temperature regularly breaks 100F with extreme humidity (shout out to beautiful Lake Okeechobee and its exceptional bass fishing).

I appreciate the info. Do you know if hospitals in these areas would be willing to hire a new grad who has not completed a residency? (Wasn't sure if you were exclusively referring to retail or not)

BTW, if you happen to know of any hospitals that would be willing to consider a new grad circa August 2020, please feel free to send me a PM. I'm a P4 who will be graduating in May and is single/no kids, so at least I'll have flexibility on my side.

 

[Hedgehog32]

If you work where no one else wants to then they have no reason to transfer you.

At this point I'm trying to land a hospital position, so thankfully I won't really be in a position to have to worry about transferring within a corporation

 

[lord999]

The other category of hard-to-fill positions are pharmacists with no family attachments, can hold a TS/SCI clearance, and are willing to disappear for long periods of time (we are talking one to two year assignments) for pay in the 90%tile (something like $140-$160k). If you do, well:

Redirected

They are hiring two positions right now for immediate departure. Life and death insurance benefits guaranteed.

 

[gwarm01]

I appreciate the info. Do you know if hospitals in these areas would be willing to hire a new grad who has not completed a residency? (Wasn't sure if you were exclusively referring to retail or not)

BTW, if you happen to know of any hospitals that would be willing to consider a new grad circa August 2020, please feel free to send me a PM. I'm a P4 who will be graduating in May and is single/no kids, so at least I'll have flexibility on my side.

I don't know of any hospitals in particular but you never know. Cast a wide enough net and eventually you'll find something.

 

[Hedgehog32]

The other category of hard-to-fill positions are pharmacists with no family attachments, can hold a TS/SCI clearance, and are willing to disappear for long periods of time (we are talking one to two year assignments) for pay in the 90%tile (something like $140-$160k). If you do, well:

Redirected

They are hiring two positions right now for immediate departure. Life and death insurance benefits guaranteed.

That sounds pretty cool. Are there any specific criteria that applicants have to meet in order to qualify for the TS/SCI clearance? (I think I read a while back that to be approved for certain levels of clearance, an individual has to have had prior military service history or something like that).

 

[Hedgehog32]

@lord999 Actually, I just performed job searches on both Intelligencecareers.gov and DIAjobs.DIA.mil, but neither search attempt returned any pharmacist job listings. Are you sure the positions haven't already been filled? Or am I just searching the wrong jobs databases?

 

[BidingMyTime]

The best solution is to marry someone with money or high paying job with security. My ex, very HOT yet very materialistic typical korean chick married a doctor lol i was damn... "he's ugly as fart"... she was like... "pharmacist vs. doctor? hmmm..." lol damn couldn't argue with that... she said this while she was lying next to me naked... what a slut... so yea... be a slutty gold digger if you're hot enough lol

I'm just curious, since the order wasn't clear here, was she dating you both at the same time?

 

[Sparda29]

I'm thinking about getting a real estate agent license and doing some of that on my weeks off.

 

[Sabril]

I'm just curious, since the order wasn't clear here, was she dating you both at the same time?

I think the order was:
1) she was laying naked to him.
2) she went "pharmacist vs. doctor? hmmm..."
3) she went out and married a doctor who was ugly as fart.

In summary, she literally figured out her life in 3 steps. She did what took most of us our whole lives to figure out.

 

[TerryTerry]

I think the order was:
1) she was laying naked to him.
2) she went "pharmacist vs. doctor? hmmm..."
3) she went out and married a doctor who was ugly as fart.

In summary, she literally figured out her life in 3 steps. She did what took most of us our whole lives to figure out.

All I know is that it would be interesting to hear her side of story

 

[BMBiology]

Her side:

(@ the library studying)

Him: so would you rather marry a doctor or pharmacist?

Her: hmm if everything is equal then probably doctor.

Him: you slut!!

 

[VictorOfHungerGames]

I'm just curious, since the order wasn't clear here, was she dating you both at the same time?

Lol nope. We dated years back. She wanted to stay fwb. We met up a couple times a month up until she got “married” lol

 

[TerryTerry]

what a duck she is

 

[PharmtoCS]

Better to duck than be cucked

 

[mentos]

This thread sure went off topic.

 

[Sleepingdoc]

Hi. Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do for money while I am trying to find work as a pharmacist? It's been nearly a year, and I know the job market is flooded. I've applied to a ton of jobs and haven't heard anything back. I've considered multiple states, but still not even any interviews. I am really concerned about being able to pay my car loan and rent. Thanks.

Plumbing/Electricians make 6 figures with 6 months of trade school.

 

[deleted1003601]

My husband is a clinical pharmacist here in Miami. He completed his Pharm.D., then PGY-1 at a VA here. Now he works as a research pharmacist for one of the medical schools here. I remember when he was about 3 months out, he was worried sick about finding a job. Just because he had decent credentials didn't promise him work. In fact, I helped him out a lot to find his current job. He had gone on many interviews and got rejected. Since he wasn't able to apply for the oncology PGY-2 he wanted due to geographic restrictions, he was left with finding a job. At first, he tried finding clinical pharmacist jobs, which funny enough...were not that many here in South Florida. Even worse is the fact that at that time, there were barely any retail jobs open. He is tri-lingual, so you would think they would also work in his favor when applying to jobs. Nope. However, his saving grace was his extensive research experience and publications. There are several bachelor-level pharmacists that work with him as research pharmacists, so, this might be an option to consider if you have research experience. It wouldn't hurt to apply. I will also tell you what I told him: don't just submit an application and become another "number" in their pipeline. Do some research, find out who the department supervisor is and email them. When my husband did that, his email was then forward to the exact pharmacist who was doing the hiring. I also told him to find this guy on LinkedIn, and message him. In 20 minutes, that guy messaged him back on LinkedIn inviting him for an interview the next week.

I tell you this, because in my experience as a former agency and corporate recruiter, you need to be a go-getter. Don't be conventional. You might piss some people off, and that's fine. I get that some supervisors are a bit more old school and may feel bombarded by receiving an email from you. At the end of the day, you really don't have much to lose. When you are faced with becoming homeless, you will do just about anything to get your name out there and stand out. The worst they can say is "no" and they may not like you. Fine then...perhaps you wouldn't have liked working there anyways. Also, I think others have mentioned the MTM option...do it! When my husband was looking for work, we saw an advertisement for $20-30 a consult. You work from home, call patients through their database list, collect cash. I helped him also get that job too.

I'm sorry you are going through this, it must seem like a borderline identity crisis going on. I think if you take the time to process this crappy situation, then sit down, and methodically think of ways to get your name "out there," you will be surprised. As a psychologist-in-training, I am firm believer in an active approach to coping when the situation is appropriate; in this case, it is. There is so much in your control that you can do for yourself. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat some more.

Goodluck!

 

[Emmet2301]

Plumbing/Electricians make 6 figures with 6 months of trade school.

Most people in middle class America would rather get a 4 year degree and work a 50k job than 6 months of trade school and a 100k job.

I don't know why. Prestige maybe?

 

[mentos]

Most people in middle class America would rather get a 4 year degree and work a 50k job than 6 months of trade school and a 100k job.

I don't know why. Prestige maybe?

Yes but in the long run, the 50k job has potential to become a 100k job with better benefits and quality of life. Sitting at an ergonomic desk in a temperature controlled office vs working on your hands and knees all day.

 

[mentos]

My husband is a clinical pharmacist here in Miami. He completed his Pharm.D., then PGY-1 at a VA here. Now he works as a research pharmacist for one of the medical schools here. I remember when he was about 3 months out, he was worried sick about finding a job. Just because he had decent credentials didn't promise him work. In fact, I helped him out a lot to find his current job. He had gone on many interviews and got rejected. Since he wasn't able to apply for the oncology PGY-2 he wanted due to geographic restrictions, he was left with finding a job. At first, he tried finding clinical pharmacist jobs, which funny enough...were not that many here in South Florida. Even worse is the fact that at that time, there were barely any retail jobs open. He is tri-lingual, so you would think they would also work in his favor when applying to jobs. Nope. However, his saving grace was his extensive research experience and publications. There are several bachelor-level pharmacists that work with him as research pharmacists, so, this might be an option to consider if you have research experience. It wouldn't hurt to apply. I will also tell you what I told him: don't just submit an application and become another "number" in their pipeline. Do some research, find out who the department supervisor is and email them. When my husband did that, his email was then forward to the exact pharmacist who was doing the hiring. I also told him to find this guy on LinkedIn, and message him. In 20 minutes, that guy messaged him back on LinkedIn inviting him for an interview the next week.

I tell you this, because in my experience as a former agency and corporate recruiter, you need to be a go-getter. Don't be conventional. You might piss some people off, and that's fine. I get that some supervisors are a bit more old school and may feel bombarded by receiving an email from you. At the end of the day, you really don't have much to lose. When you are faced with becoming homeless, you will do just about anything to get your name out there and stand out. The worst they can say is "no" and they may not like you. Fine then...perhaps you wouldn't have liked working there anyways. Also, I think others have mentioned the MTM option...do it! When my husband was looking for work, we saw an advertisement for $20-30 a consult. You work from home, call patients through their database list, collect cash. I helped him also get that job too.

I'm sorry you are going through this, it must seem like a borderline identity crisis going on. I think if you take the time to process this crappy situation, then sit down, and methodically think of ways to get your name "out there," you will be surprised. As a psychologist-in-training, I am firm believer in an active approach to coping when the situation is appropriate; in this case, it is. There is so much in your control that you can do for yourself. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat some more.

Goodluck!

This is great advice and very true. I emailed 5-6 pharmacy supervisors in other districts before I got offered a position (I was an intern and did not get an offer in my district). My supervisor was pissed that he got 5-6 emails, but in the end I got a job.

 

[deleted1003601]

This is great advice and very true. I emailed 5-6 pharmacy supervisors in other districts before I got offered a position (I was an intern and did not get an offer in my district). My supervisor was pissed that he got 5-6 emails, but in the end I got a job.

That's great. I'm not saying this approach is 100% foolproof, however, in my experience, it has worked more times than not. So happy to hear that you had a good experience using this strategy.

 

[LivingMyBestLife]

Hi. Does anyone have any ideas of what I can do for money while I am trying to find work as a pharmacist? It's been nearly a year, and I know the job market is flooded. I've applied to a ton of jobs and haven't heard anything back. I've considered multiple states, but still not even any interviews. I am really concerned about being able to pay my car loan and rent. Thanks.

This comes off as fairly privileged to me. When did anyone say having a pharmacy degree is a guaranteed path to living indoors and owning a vehicle? These are PRIVILEGES. If you are having money issues you should consider moving back with parents / family and volunteering your vehicle back to the bank. A bicycle is a cost effective mode of transportation. Yes the market is "flooded" badly with over 15,000 new grads being printed a year and an expected job grow of -10 jobs a year for the next ten years.

Have you considered going back to school for an in demand major such as Computer Science or Physician Assistant?

 

[mentos]

This comes off as fairly privileged to me. When did anyone say having a pharmacy degree is a guaranteed path to living indoors and owning a vehicle? These are PRIVILEGES. If you are having money issues you should consider moving back with parents / family and volunteering your vehicle back to the bank. A bicycle is a cost effective mode of transportation. Yes the market is "flooded" badly with over 15,000 new grads being printed a year and an expected job grow of -10 jobs a year for the next ten years.

Have you considered going back to school for an in demand major such as Computer Science or Physician Assistant?

Is modest anteater back??

 

[BidingMyTime]

Is modest anteater back??

Nah, User Name doesn't check out. I suspect when Modest Anteater comes back it will be as Ignoble Iguana (hey Modest, feel free to use that name, if you haven't already come up with a new name.)