How to get work experience

[qwerty9192]

I am applying to study pharmachy for 2010 and i have no work experince.I'm doing my A2's now so i dont think i will be able to do any until october half term which will mean i will have to send my UCAS application off later.I am looking for advice in what i can do now.Also where should i try to get work experience and should i just go to a community pharmacy and ask or are there any other methods i need to follow. and is it hard to get it???

thank you

[kiwi_kitty86]

Dont worry too much if you havent worked in a pharmacy, the most important criteria would be your predicted grades and your desire to work as a pharmacist. I and many of my friends had had no work experience before going to uni but we still managed to get the offers. But if you are keen on experience then yes just pop in any local pharmacy and ask for it. Good luck!

[VChan]

Even if you haven't got work experience, as long as you've got it confirmed with an employer, you can put that down in your personal statement. The most the university will do is question you about it in the interview, which you should have no problems with if you actually carry out the work experience. Also, don't forget that many pharmacies are open Saturdays and Sundays, so that's a good time to learn as they the dispensary tends to be quieter so the pharmacist will have more time to explain things with you.

[TigerSwift]

If you really want some work experience write yourself a CV and a covering letter. A covering letter introduces why you want to do some experience there - so make sure you write about applying to do pharmacy at uni and that you're willing to do a day or two unpaid. You will more than likely only be shadowing a pharmacist there.

I would drop in this CV and Covering Letter to local community pharmacies. I managed to get 2 afternoons in Boots so don't be scared to consider larger companies in your area as well.

[qwerty9192]

thanks for the reply, they have really helped

also what would i have to do in the work experience e.g just stay at the till?

[TigerSwift]

Probably not even stay at the till. Usually watch what the pharmacist and/or techs do.

[VChan]

If you've sorted it out properly, then you should be watching the pharmacist, seeing how the pharmacy runs etc. Most companies wouldn't keep you on the till, as they'd only want their regular employees handling money.

[hadfield]

I .I'm doing my A2's now so i dont think i will be able to do any until october half term which will mean i will have to send my UCAS application off later.

chose your words carefully on your ucas application and you can overcome this problem! Also by the time you get asked to interview you will hopefully have had some experience if you get your bum in gear now and send off some info to local pharmacies/hospitals.If not I used a care home as work exp also as it shows good communication with the older generation etc etc.

[qwerty9192]

Ive got my work experience in a community pharmacy in 2 weeks but im writing my personal statement now,so can anyone tell me what i would learn there? and things i could say about my experience. thanks for the help