What Should I Do This Summer?

[IshDiandra]

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Hi,

So I was wondering what I should do this summer that could help boost my experience, resume, etc? I am planning to apply for a few summer internship programs, but I'm not really sure on my chances of getting accepted because I will only have completed my first year of 0-6 Pharmacy school (meaning it's pretty much just basic classes). I e-mailed the director of one of the internship programs that I'm considering applying for and he said that as long as I have courses in things like Chemistry, Biochem, Anatomy, etc. that it would be enough for them to consider me for the program. However, I go to Northeastern University and based on their curriculum (which is practically set in stone), I don't take biochem and anatomy until my 2nd and 3rd year. I also wouldn't be able to apply for summer internships during my later years because Northeastern has a co-op program so this summer is my only free summer as next summer I would be on co-op and the summers afterwards I will be in school. So I was also considering taking the PTCB and getting certified so I could just work as a Pharmacy Tech this summer if I don't get an internship. I was just wondering if it's worth it paying for the PTCB to work as a Pharmacy Tech for one summer or just waiting until I finish my second year and becoming a Pharmacy Intern?

My friend is saying that the fact that I am certified as a Pharmacy Tech would look good. So that if I did get an internship, the certification was still worth it. Is that true?

Any advice would be great. I really want to do something beneficial this summer!

Oh also, I have two open courses this coming Spring semester that I could use towards classes like PsychoBio, which could potentially help me get the internship, but then that would mean giving up my Theatre minor. I e-mailed my advisor about changing my schedule to drop the theatre courses for the other "potentially beneficial" ones, but she said that I should keep it the way it is.

 

[Rockinacoustic]

Have you tried applying to the major pharmacy chains? Most of the time they will train you and pay for your PTCE (CVS does for me). The fact that you're pre-pharmacy and already in a 6 year program should make you stick out of the pool.

If you've already tried that, then you could self-study and pay for the test out of your own wallet. Just be sure that being certified will absolutely help you land a job- cause otherwise it's just an expensive cert. once you can intern.

I wouldn't get ahead of yourself academically with advanced courses. You've already been accepted into a program geared towards making you a successful pharmacist, so why rush?

 

[aboveliquidice]

Find something you are passionate in - and pursue it.

 

[jmcfa002]

PAAARRRTTTTTYYYYYY!
lol sorry, nothing really constructive

 

[bryantvo]

I would consider partying as the comment above but since your asking for a productive means to do in the summer I would say community service or work as a tech at cvs.

 

[lub dub]

so I just applied for 2010 application cycle... just wondering in the meantime i want to start working as a tech but since i only studied with a few friends for a few weeks and took the exam and have no experience... would it be impossible to find a job anywhere?

 

[IshDiandra]

Hmm. In California, you can't be a Pharmacy tech without a license, so do you still need one if you're just in the training stage? And about the PTCB, I guess I'll ask at the pharmacy chains around here first because I was really only planning on self-studying, if it came to that point.

And hah partying is only good if you have money! Trust me, I did absolutely nothing last summer (no CC summer classes or job) and it sucked because I just saw all the money I had get pretty much drained. It's more fun having a side job or something because I can spend money without feeling bad about it.

 

[lub dub]

I have a pharm tech license (just recieved it this past summer)... but I studied on my own and have no experience. So I was wondering if places will still hire me....

 

[kpham001]

Hi,

So I was wondering what I should do this summer that could help boost my experience, resume, etc? I am planning to apply for a few summer internship programs, but I'm not really sure on my chances of getting accepted because I will only have completed my first year of 0-6 Pharmacy school (meaning it's pretty much just basic classes). I e-mailed the director of one of the internship programs that I'm considering applying for and he said that as long as I have courses in things like Chemistry, Biochem, Anatomy, etc. that it would be enough for them to consider me for the program. However, I go to Northeastern University and based on their curriculum (which is practically set in stone), I don't take biochem and anatomy until my 2nd and 3rd year. I also wouldn't be able to apply for summer internships during my later years because Northeastern has a co-op program so this summer is my only free summer as next summer I would be on co-op and the summers afterwards I will be in school. So I was also considering taking the PTCB and getting certified so I could just work as a Pharmacy Tech this summer if I don't get an internship. I was just wondering if it's worth it paying for the PTCB to work as a Pharmacy Tech for one summer or just waiting until I finish my second year and becoming a Pharmacy Intern?

My friend is saying that the fact that I am certified as a Pharmacy Tech would look good. So that if I did get an internship, the certification was still worth it. Is that true?

Any advice would be great. I really want to do something beneficial this summer!

Oh also, I have two open courses this coming Spring semester that I could use towards classes like PsychoBio, which could potentially help me get the internship, but then that would mean giving up my Theatre minor. I e-mailed my advisor about changing my schedule to drop the theatre courses for the other "potentially beneficial" ones, but she said that I should keep it the way it is.

I would suggest that you take the PTCB Now!!! Get it done before March(at the latest) so that you can get your Pharmacy Tech License before summer starts because it might take the State Board of Pharmacy a while to process your application. Here in California, it take them somewhere between 60-90days to process your application. On the plus side, the sooner you get your license, the sooner you can start searching for jobs.

 

[jmcfa002]

Hmm. In California, you can't be a Pharmacy tech without a license, so do you still need one if you're just in the training stage? And about the PTCB, I guess I'll ask at the pharmacy chains around here first because I was really only planning on self-studying, if it came to that point.

And hah partying is only good if you have money! Trust me, I did absolutely nothing last summer (no CC summer classes or job) and it sucked because I just saw all the money I had get pretty much drained. It's more fun having a side job or something because I can spend money without feeling bad about it.

true, $$ is required. partying can be expensive. I would try for both an internship and a pharm tech job. Its hard to get a tech job right now. I know CVS is cutting back like crazy here! If you can get into a pharmacy, do it. If not an internship will look good also.
It is helpful to get your PTCB license first, it will show the pharmacies you are applying to a little more motivation. Its kinda pricey though is the downside