My advice would be to work in any job you can get into for the biggest wage you can get. I see no point whatsoever in working in a pharmacy as a student. Some courses expect a minimum time but to me the pre-reg year is for working in a pharmacy.
Schools of pharmacy arrange placements and you can obviously revisit such placements if you want to discuss some aspect of working practice. I see students regularly and actually enjoy answering their questions.
If you have aspirations about working in lofty branches of the profession you will be sorely disappointed when you get a job on minimum wage and are used as a "gofor" slave. (hospital or community). Much better to get a minimum wage job in a bar where you can get tips, work under a bit of pressure (if it is busy) and take the opportunity to get to know some of the local members of the opposite sex while they are relaxing and having a drink or two!
I worked in a pharmacy during one holiday, I was stacking shelves and checking off orders. I also worked in a betting shop, as a bingo caller and night shift in a bakery. The latter was very hard work but very well paid enabling me to buy and run a car in the 1970's that was better than many of my lecturers had!
The university experience must also be fun. Blind dedication to practising pharmacy whilst a student will not help you in your future career so don't do it!! There is plenty of time when you are qualified.
Just an aside Lawrence, but you wish to work as a prescriber in the USA? Do they have prescribing pharmacists in the USA? Also, you won't qualify as a prescribing pharmacist for some time after getting your degree.
Relax and have fun. Brighton, they tell me, is great fun. I am going to a conference there at the end of April so I hope so!!!!!!!!!!!