Career Placement of Doctor of Pharmacy Graduates at Eight U.S. Midwestern Schools

Abstract

Objective. To characterize postgraduation placement plans of 2013 doctor of pharmacy (PharmD) graduates. Methods. A cross-sectional survey of PharmD graduates from 8 midwestern colleges of pharmacy was designed to capture a comprehensive picture of graduating students' experiences and outcomes of their job search. Results. At graduation, 81% of 2013 respondents had postgraduate plans, with approximately 40% accepting jobs and 40% accepting residencies or fellowships. Eighty-four percent of graduates reported being pleased with offers received, and 86% received placement in their preferred practice setting. Students perceived that securing residencies was more difficult than securing jobs. Students who participated in key activities had a nearly sevenfold increase in successful residency placement. Conclusion. While the demand for pharmacists decreased in recent years, responses indicated successful placement by the majority of 2013 graduates at the time of graduation.

Intern Pharmacists’ Job Satisfaction, Perception of the Profession and Preparedness to Provide Pharmaceutical Care Services in Southeastern Nigeria

“…In this study, it took about 10 months to get an internship placement after graduation due to the increased number of pharmacists graduates annually and non increasing internship job placements. This finding is in stark contrast with that of the United States [12].…”

Student pharmacist perceptions of community advanced pharmacy practice experiences and the impact on professional development

“…5 Considering that most student pharmacists will enter community pharmacy after graduation, student pharmacist experiential education in their core community pharmacy should include the provision of clinical services that align with current best practices to produce practice-ready pharmacists. 6,7 Various studies describe the impact that APPE-year student pharmacists have at their core community APPE practice sites. Many are related to MTM, which may include over-thecounter (OTC) medication counseling and also include specific disease states such as heart failure and diabetes.…”

Pharmacy Fellowships: Challenges and Opportunities for Pharm D. Graduates

“…Despite these programs leading to non-traditional opportunities and career paths within the field of pharmacy, a study conducted by Sweet and others found only 4% of respondents applied for a fellowship, and what's more, only half of those were accepted into a fellowship program. Furthermore, a number of respondents pursuing post-doctoral training expressed desire for more information on pharmacy fellowships throughout the course of their Pharm.D education [1]. To address students' interest, this study aims to explore pharmacy fellowships as a path of post-doctoral training available to Pharm.D.…”

“…Saturation of the job market in the field of pharmacy has led more and more students to seek out post-doctoral training including residencies and pharmacy fellowships in hopes of maintaining a competitive edge [1]. ASHP defines pharmacy fellowship as "a directed, highly individualized, postgraduate program designed to prepare the participant to become an independent researcher" with the ultimate goal of preparing the fellow for both independent and collaborative scientific research [2].…”