Comparing pharmacy employment vs volunteering

Question: Does Working in a pharmacy setting OR volunteering at a pharmacy setting have any advantage over the other?


Answer: I believe that work experience is more beneficial than volunteering at a pharmacy when considering applicants. However, I know some committee members that think it doesn't matter at all. For example, a 20 year old applicant with no work experience applying after 2 years of undergraduate studies is less likely to have the opportunity to gain the pharmacy work experience of a 30 year applicant looking for a new profession. Is this a double standard? Probably. Should you lose any sleep over it? No.

In my opinion, any experience is better than none at all. Key point here - If you have worked or volunteered at a pharmacy, you had better get a letter of recommendation from a pharmacist at the location. If you have experience and then don't bother to get a letter of recommendation from your employer, it might reflect poorly.