What type of pharmacy careers can I look into? And how can I get into research?

[Zesty]

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I am a 2nd year student working towards a PharmD and a bachelors in chemistry. With these credentials what sort of pharmacy careers could I get into? I don't have a lot of knowledge about the wide variety of different careers, but from what I do know I think I am most interested in research (bench or clinical, if possible) and hospital. For a career in research, would my degrees be enough or would other experiences be required? On top of the degrees, I am trying to do as much research as I can in school and I am thinking about doing a fellowship or MS in medicinal chemistry after pharmacy school. Is this a good idea? Also, for a career in a hospital, would a chemistry degree benefit me in anyway? Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

[lord999]

You should read the other postings on the matter. You have any further specific questions, please ask them.

You did ask one about MS Med Chem and the answer is that unless it’s a courtesy degree (some institutions award it in progress or to dignify a PhD minor) or a work in progress toward a PhD, a person with just that is considered defective as a nonterminal degree is a fail out unless proven otherwise.

You should get a job as a tech to give you insight on whether this is a good idea for you or not. I’m at the point where it’s not a given.

 

[JustFillIt]

I’m pretty sure that all pharmD’s were in your exact same shoes (working toward PharmD with a chemistry bachelors). Anyone who has a pharmd would just need to take a couple extra chem classes and get a Bach in chemistry.

So, I don’t want to be harsh but i don’t think that sets you apart much.. if you had a PhD or maybe a masters in chemistry with some real lab experience you might have something there.

So - my question for you is... have you ever worked retail pharmacy? Do you have a good pair of running shoes?

 

[PharmtoCS]

If you want to do research then a PhD would be your best choice. The vast majority of PharmDs end up in retail whether by choice or not. Even hospital jobs are hard to land without a residency.

 

[Pharmacy is a Scam]

If you want to do research then a PhD would be your best choice. The vast majority of PharmDs end up in retail whether by choice or not. Even hospital jobs are hard to land without a residency.

Your pic is old. Let me modernize it to current market conditions.

 

[TheBlaah]

PhD is the only path to a legitimate and actual research position. Generally speaking, you should have joined the PhD program when you initially enrolled so you can work on the degree while attending pharmacy school classes. You can still enroll now; it just means extra years to earn it.

One of the most important decisions you'll make, if you do decide to go down the PhD route, is which professor you'll research under. If your professor is reputable, knowledgeable, and has legitimate research going on, it'll but much easier to find a job. For example, a friend of mine just joined the NIH after earning their degree, and they were under one of the best professors I know.

On the other hand, if you're with someone who's phoning it in, you'll more than likely end up at an entry-level position at a no-name research facility.

 

[Zesty]

PhD is the only path to a legitimate and actual research position. Generally speaking, you should have joined the PhD program when you initially enrolled so you can work on the degree while attending pharmacy school classes. You can still enroll now; it just means extra years to earn it.

One of the most important decisions you'll make, if you do decide to go down the PhD route, is which professor you'll research under. If your professor is reputable, knowledgeable, and has legitimate research going on, it'll but much easier to find a job. For example, a friend of mine just joined the NIH after earning their degree, and they were under one of the best professors I know.

On the other hand, if you're with someone who's phoning it in, you'll more than likely end up at an entry-level position at a no-name research facility.

Thank you, I appreciate the reply. What if I wanted to go into clinical research rather than bench research, would a PharmD and Bachelors in Chemistry be sufficient or would a PhD still be the only way?

 

[JustFillIt]

Your pic is old. Let me modernize it to current market conditions.

Lmao! I see what you did there....

 

[JustFillIt]

Thank you, I appreciate the reply. What if I wanted to go into clinical research rather than bench research, would a PharmD and Bachelors in Chemistry be sufficient or would a PhD still be the only way?

Start teching at a SoCal CVS and buy some running shoes.

 

[Rouelle]

Thank you, I appreciate the reply. What if I wanted to go into clinical research rather than bench research, would a PharmD and Bachelors in Chemistry be sufficient or would a PhD still be the only way?

A BS in chemistry will do nothing for virtually any pharmacy career that you may choose. Furthermore, for clinical research a chemistry PhD won’t take you far either...it’ll pretty much just prepare you to work at a bench.

 

[Xarelto-10]

Thank you, I appreciate the reply. What if I wanted to go into clinical research rather than bench research, would a PharmD and Bachelors in Chemistry be sufficient or would a PhD still be the only way?

If you are interested in clinical research- they way to go will be to have a pretty good clinical base while in school. But more often it is something you progress into as you develop professionally.
It helps to have background -more than the fundamental exposure your average PharmD gets in pharmacy school. Which means you probably want to be actively involved in such activities in school. Then once you’re out in the real world you can be better positioned to be a decent clinical RPH.

In my view your career is what you make of it. Some RPH’s perform at a higher caliber than others and often the people you’re talking about are performing at the higher end of their potential.

 

[PharmtoCS]

Your pic is old. Let me modernize it to current market conditions.

That gave me a good laugh. The sad part is that it's true or will soon be true.