Follow our blogs feed 
Hello guest, welcome to PJ online
gateway to the world of pharmacy and medicines
Citation
- Online only
Summer placements: is it fair that pharmacy companies give the same students the same placements?
By Kristy McGlynn
4 Jan 2011
Firstly I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and Best Wishes for 2011. I hope you had an enjoyable break and have entered 2011 with fresh aspirations and new years resolutions to work towards.
Having applied for various Pharmacy Placement Scheme's throughout the North West for the coming summer, I am hopeful of gaining some experience of Dispensing whilst working or volunteering within a Pharmacy.
Applying to both the Major Companies and Private Companies and also NHS Hospitals I would like to attain a couple of interviews for a chance to introduce myself and the skills I could offer.
Already having one rejection from a Major community Pharmacy, my hope has started to fade a little.
On speaking with fellow students I was surprised to hear that they had been offered the same placement, and for one or two,in the same store as the placement they had in 2010. Whilst I am happy for my peers to gain another successful placement, a part of me thought, why would the company choose the same person rather than to cast the net out wider and look what other people are out there?
Especially as this company offer placements each year and have such strict stipulations on what experience they require if they are to hire you.
Does this kind of recruitment offer a fair process for Summer pharmacy undergraduates if new candidates are not being given an opportunity?
Nope, it's not fair
Kristy,
Happy new year to you too!
I know exactly what you mean; I've seen people who've had previous summer placements get them again with the same company. I've also seen some of my friends who work in a pharmacy obtaining the summer placement place for that branch too. Often, there's only one place available at most pharmacies as it is. I think it's extremely unfair, especially on us third years who need the 3rd year placement to even have a chance of getting a preregistration place with the company. I was a bit more hopeful at the beginning of 3rd year than I was in 1st and 2nd year (after all, they apparently favour 3rd years) but, unfortunately, my hope has dwindled
Life is never fair