Working during pharm school?

[Cloud 9]

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I found some older threads on the topic and wanted to get a slightly more fresher perspective. So in the faq for my school we're at school for the first 3 years from 8 am - 6 pm and an hour break for lunch. Can people seriously work during school with such a schedule? Even if they could, would someone really hire them only for evenings or weekends or breaks only? Honest answers please?

edit...I kinda meant to put this in the pharmacy forum since I thought I might get more answers there, but answers here are good too...but if a mod wants to move it for me that's fine too.

 

[pharm B]

Pharmacies in a city with a pharmacy school know that students are out looking for jobs. You CAN work with that schedule, but I personally would avoid it if possible. You're already signing up for a couple of years of stress. While lecture and lab make up the majority of pharmacy school, you'll also need plenty of time for group work, student organizations, national and state meetings, etc.

Speaking from experience: I had a pharmacy manager who gave me some pretty nice hours (alternating weekends), but the first time I asked to swap a weekend so that I could attend an event, it was World War Three.

In short: you can work, but I recommend not doing it unless you have to.

 

[Cloud 9]

Pharmacies in a city with a pharmacy school know that students are out looking for jobs. You CAN work with that schedule, but I personally would avoid it if possible. You're already signing up for a couple of years of stress. While lecture and lab make up the majority of pharmacy school, you'll also need plenty of time for group work, student organizations, national and state meetings, etc.

Speaking from experience: I had a pharmacy manager who gave me some pretty nice hours (alternating weekends), but the first time I asked to swap a weekend so that I could attend an event, it was World War Three.

In short: you can work, but I recommend not doing it unless you have to.

Wow, thanks for that perspective. thats pretty cool you got that gig, except for the world war 3 part, but yeah, after all that stuff during the day most students probably ought to come home and study and do other school related things so it seemed like it would be stretching myself too thin. I want to avoid it, and I will probably, it just sucks that we'll be not only perpetually stressed but perpetually broke as well lol...wonderful...🙁

How about 4th year? The faq says we'll be in rotations for a minimum of 40 hours/week but would it be more do-able then to tack on a part time job? oh and btw how open are employers to hiring 4th year students?

 

[SanyRx]

I know people who hold full time job while in medical school. If you doubt you're competent enough to pull this off, then don't even bother trying. Play it safe, at least for first few months of P1.
__________________
Loma Linda - Accepted
UCSF - Interview 2/10

That's it...two schools only

 

[owlegrad]

My advice is somewhat different from pharm b, in the sense that it is exactly the opposite. I would say work unless you can't. Don't bite off more than you can chew of course, but work = good. I didn't want to work my first year cause I was worried it would be too much. I worked over the summer and haven't stopped. It really, really puts what I am learning in perspective and even helps in surprising ways. Not just brand/generic, but normal doses, etc. I would (and do) put work experience way higher than club or campus involvement. Don't let it stop you from having any fun or studying, but I would make it a priority. Plus having a job will make job hunting easier when it is time to hunt for a "real" job.

 

[SouthernBelle10]

My advice is somewhat different from pharm b, in the sense that it is exactly the opposite. I would say work unless you can't. Don't bite off more than you can chew of course, but work = good. I didn't want to work my first year cause I was worried it would be too much. I worked over the summer and haven't stopped. It really, really puts what I am learning in perspective and even helps in surprising ways. Not just brand/generic, but normal doses, etc. I would (and do) put work experience way higher than club or campus involvement. Don't let it stop you from having any fun or studying, but I would make it a priority. Plus having a job will make job hunting easier when it is time to hunt for a "real" job.

+1.
I am working while in school, and it has done so much to supplement what I am learning in class, plus teaching me so much that I wouldn't get in lecture. BUT... DO NOT allow work to interfere with school. If you are in class 8-6, you may want to find someone who will let you work a few weekends, breaks, etc here and there for some extra cash. Maybe a pharmacist you shadowed, family friend, etc. Just remember, it won't matter how much work experience you have if you don't have the grades to graduate. Good luck!

 

[homeslice]

Work experience >>> grades

Granted those grades aren't failing, at least.

 

[crazybob]

Work experience >>> grades

Granted those grades aren't failing, at least.

👍

 

[rxlea]

Work experience is never overrated IMO. I think all pharm students should get as much work experience as possible.

 

[Pharmacy2011]

Its all about balancing your time with study time, group projects, involvement in pharmacy organizations, time for yourself, and so forth. I worked part time during certain semesters of pharmacy school. During my busier semesters, I didn't work. I did work when I could during my summer and winter breaks. Working in any pharmacy setting is definitely good experience to have, however you should be your own judge and only work if you feel that you can manage your time efficiently.

 

[deleted205891]

Answer to a question above: companies don't hire 4th year students. With rotations, there's just not enough time to work much. Rotations are basically like a 40-hour work week, plus extra projects. Companies don't even hire 3rd year students much, with the anticipation that these students will go on rotations soon and won't be able to work much.

BTW I do know people that only work on breaks and then work 1 shift per month, so I think getting a job like that is doable.

 

[KARM12]

Answer to a question above: companies don't hire 4th year students. With rotations, there's just not enough time to work much. Rotations are basically like a 40-hour work week, plus extra projects. Companies don't even hire 3rd year students much, with the anticipation that these students will go on rotations soon and won't be able to work much.

BTW I do know people that only work on breaks and then work 1 shift per month, so I think getting a job like that is doable.

I worked 18 hrs/week when I was on rotations and in my third year. It was probably 8-12hrs when I was a 2nd yr. It was totally doable. It is all about time mangement. I know a few students who worked much more than that.

Work experience is very important for getting jobs and residencies later on. Working will only help you in the long run and compliments your pharmacy education. As an above poster mentioned, work unless you can't.

 

[Praziquantel86]

Work. I had two jobs during my P1-P3 years and never felt like it was too much. The experience you gain from interning will set you up for success during classes, rotations and later on. It's definitely doable.

I would have been working during P4 year, but my away rotations and preference for new interns put the kibosh on that.

 

[eekOMG]

I try to work evenever I can. At CVS they consider you an intern so your hours are from a different pool. Whenever I have time I let them know and they let me work. They are greatful for the extra help and I'm greatful for the money. You just need to balance yourself out!

It is definitely possible though. I know people who work a decent amount and get everything else done! They are just super.

 

[pharm B]

Looking back, the above posters have some pretty sound advice. I should have framed my post by saying that it's coming from someone who's married with a family. If you're young and single, I think working is definitely doable. The nice part about working for a big box retail chain is that you can go on Leave of Absence if you're overwhelmed with school, and still come back to get some hours here and then if you have a free weekend.

 

[GatorPharm]

Is 20 hours a week an ok amount during pharmacy school (P1 year)? And how about working a non-pharmacy job? I won't have my intern license for months, and I'm not state registered as a tech so...

 

[Corpseman]

Is 20 hours a week an ok amount during pharmacy school (P1 year)? And how about working a non-pharmacy job? I won't have my intern license for months, and I'm not state registered as a tech so...

doable, but most of my classmates and myself go for 15 max

 

[rxlea]

Is 20 hours a week an ok amount during pharmacy school (P1 year)? And how about working a non-pharmacy job? I won't have my intern license for months, and I'm not state registered as a tech so...

You can do it

 

[technician107]

I am working 20 hours a week as a pharmacy intern come August starting my P1 year. I've been doing order entry in long term care or retail for the past 6 years. Since I got accepted in Nov - the IV pharmacist has been teaching me for the past 5 months different things and I've been in the IV hood twice a week for the past 3-4 months. My pharmacy director was going to have me just stay with the techs in order entry and take verbals but he changed his mind and is making me the IV Intern for the morning shift on the weekends. You think I'll give that up? NO WAY! For an incoming P1 that's the best experience I'll get and many people cannot say that they are doing that as an intern.

 

[rxtech2012]

I am working 20 hours a week as a pharmacy intern come August starting my P1 year. I've been doing order entry in long term care or retail for the past 6 years. Since I got accepted in Nov - the IV pharmacist has been teaching me for the past 5 months different things and I've been in the IV hood twice a week for the past 3-4 months. My pharmacy director was going to have me just stay with the techs in order entry and take verbals but he changed his mind and is making me the IV Intern for the morning shift on the weekends. You think I'll give that up? NO WAY! For an incoming P1 that's the best experience I'll get and many people cannot say that they are doing that as an intern.

This sounds awesome....here in Texas we can't be interns until after P1

 

[technician107]

This sounds awesome....here in Texas we can't be interns until after P1

Well I don't start the IV interning until August 19 when we start classes but to train for it I'm already back there two times a week. This sounds geeky/nerdy but when I'm in the IV hood it's just so much energy and motivation, I just love it. I feel like I'm doing something worthwhile, I love it. 😍