Are there any pharmacist jobs in California left for recent grads?

Hello!

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Ok, let’s get back to what I was going to talk about: Job Market in California.

A little about me. Even though I graduated before the inaugural class from new California Pharmacy schools like Chapman University, Keck Graduate Institute, West Coast University, and California Health Sciences University, it was still a challenge landing a pharmacist job in California. I did not work as a pharmacy intern during pharmacy school, and I also graduated from an out of state school.

The 2nd half of my last year of pharmacy school was stressful. I had no job lined up post-graduation. After what felt like 100+ applications and 10 interviews, in early May of my last year of pharmacy school, I finally secured a full time pharmacist job position with good benefits in California.

I can only imagine it being even harder each year (especially in Southern California) as there will be 15 pharmacy schools in California schools (with UCSF converting from a 4 year to a 3 year program and with Marshall B. Ketchum University, American University of Health Sciences, and potentially UC Irvine graduating their first class within the next 5 years) pushing out more and more pharmacists.

Here are a few tips to give you a competitive edge:

1) Network.
Be involved in school whether it is a research or community service project or a leadership position in an organization. Consider joining a fraternity and being involved. Pharmacy is a small world. The more people you know, the better.

2) Build good relationships with everyone you encounter. Treat every rotation or opportunity as an interview. Put your best effort forward during rotations. Again, pharmacy is a small world. You never know if this will directly/indirectly lead to a job opportunity.

3) Be open and flexible. If you’re like me with no pharmacy work experience and no connections in California, be open to relocating outside of the saturated areas of Southern California and floating where there is a need. Accepting even part time/per diem/contract can give you the experience you need to apply for a full time job when one opens up at the current or different company.

I’d like to hear from recent grads. What has your job hunting experience been like? If you’ve been able to land a job, what additional tips do you have to those who are still looking for a job?

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