Studying pharmacy involves in-depth learning and understanding of several challenging topics. Graduating pharmaceutical students have a vast amount of knowledge, ranging from how medicine is created and produced to the effects of these products on the human body, including any possible dangers and side effects.
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Combining this knowledge with the ability to read and produce scientific documents makes pharmacy graduates very attractive candidates to prospective employers and opens the door to several occupational fields.
Where do pharmacy graduates work?
Although almost 97% of graduates in this discipline choose to work as a pharmacist, others opt to work behind the scenes on scientific research projects or for a regulatory body. Teaching future pharmacists is also an option, as is a career in the development, marketing and sale of pharmaceutical products.
Some people choose to make a sideways career move, gravitating to work in the world of journalism, writing and editing – all places in which sound science skills and knowledge of the relevant vocabulary are sought after.
Working as a pharmacist
Most pharmacists work in either a retail or medical environment. Retail work opportunities range from jobs in large chain stores to local community pharmacies, while health centres, clinics and hospitals – public or private – employ many new graduates each year.
Post-grad options?
Unlike many science-based degrees, pharmacists graduating from UK universities can start working straightaway, with no need for post-grad training or study.
Students interested in the research side of this subject will need to secure relevant post-graduate qualifications, as will those making a sideways move, such as into teaching or another area that requires more specific knowledge and life experience.
Flexible work
A pharmacy degree offers a decent amount of options and flexibility to new graduates. Rather than committing to a permanent job, it is common practice – and therefore quite easy – to find temporary work.
All sectors of this industry are keen to find solid scientific staffing solutions; therefore, pharmacy graduates can choose to work freelance or register with a specialist agency. Both ways allow graduates to gain or use experience without either side making a long-term commitment.
Pharmacy graduates have several career paths from which to choose, which makes this a valuable degree to pursue for anyone with the relevant entry-level scientific knowledge, interest and ability.
Standing out when applying for pharmacy roles
Whichever path a pharmacy graduate chooses, competition for good posts can be strong, so it pays to stand out. Career planning can begin early in the degree, with a plan for the experience and skills you want to build before you graduate.
Technical knowledge alone is not enough. The role calls for business, personal and behavioural skills as well. Employers look for real enthusiasm for the job, an understanding of customer service, and the ability to recognise signs of addiction and other difficult health problems. A broad knowledge of the industry, ambition and an honest understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses all count.
At interview, presenting yourself professionally should be a given, as it reflects your motivation and attention to detail. Emotional intelligence can make the difference between equally qualified candidates. For graduates interested in specialist areas such as clinical trials, a recruitment agency that works in that field can be a useful starting point.