New Job Suggestions for Pharmacist

LBrokedog on 22/07/2021 - 15:34
Last edited 23/07/2021 - 08:11 by 1 other user

Hello everyone,

I’m in my early 30s and have been a pharmacist for coming on 10 years now.

I’ve come to the point where the low pay and poor career progression has worn me thin.

I’m tired of being on my knees for the boss but am at a cross roads on what options I have.

I’ve considered a lollipop man but don’t want to be in the sun for more than 10 minutes at a time.

I don’t want to go back to study nor am I particularly determined enough to take up a trade.

I’m looking for something that pays over $36/hour where I don’t have to do any full time study and there are some careers progression opportunities.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise I’ll just keep complaining and put up with it like a big boiii

EDIT: Thanks for all the suggestions!, confirmed a few things but also gave me a few other ideas. Reality is I'll probably continue until I snap one day over something small like that time a customer came and tried to return an item expired for a year with no receipt.

Much appreciated to everyone that posted!

Education & Work

Comments

  • kogi on 22/07/2021 - 15:38
    +7

    Mate of mine moved to the NSW south coast for better pay and cheaper rent. ( still a pharmacist )

    • Brokedog on 22/07/2021 - 16:01
      +14

      I’d only move to nsw if I was chasing a girl. Cost of living maybe too high in Sydney coming from qld

      • fantombloo on 22/07/2021 - 18:30
        +8

        Maybe come down for a holiday and find one? South coast, not Sydney.

      • baldur on 26/07/2021 - 23:39
        +2

        dont move interstate for a girl though. not gonna be worthy.

      • th1991 on 27/07/2021 - 08:51
        +1

        Hey Mate, I don't usually comment or even reply for that matter. But I was in a similar position as yourself but in the field of architecture…. same same, getting burnt out. If you don't mind me asking, what is it you really want?

      • Choc0 on 27/07/2021 - 15:10

        There's a man drought in Sydney. You'll probably be in lockdown for 3 months, the cost of living will be high, but summer will be memorable.

    • Munki on 25/07/2021 - 03:03

      South coast is beautiful. Way better than the north coast.

  • holdenmg on 22/07/2021 - 15:41
    +15

    If you are at a Crossroads, turn Left or Right.
    (I'm glad we had this talk). :+)

    • oscargamer on 22/07/2021 - 17:12
      +26

      That would be a T intersection.

      The OP could go straight…..

      • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:36
        +2

        Straight is probably the most likely outcome

        • MuddyClear on 24/07/2021 - 10:12
          +2

          Go back, she loves it

      • Bidet Mate on 24/07/2021 - 15:36

        I think that's the point. As in if you're at a cross roads make a change, don't keep on the same path..

        • oscargamer on 24/07/2021 - 17:34

          Agreed. But if you are at a decision making point in your life, it's not ALWAYS the best idea to make a change at that time….. Just saying

  • MS Paint on 22/07/2021 - 15:44
    +6

    Do you work at CW?

  • GG57 on 22/07/2021 - 15:45
    +1

    Politician?

    • Brokedog on 22/07/2021 - 15:59
      +154

      Not white enough. Plus over qualified

      • StarvingOat on 23/07/2021 - 18:38
        +29

        Bro, just let go of your dignity, honesty and integrity. I believe in you. You can do it. Set that bar so low, it can crush atoms.

        Make Oz great again

        Skin colour doesn't matter when it comes to screwing people over. You can always get skin whitening creams with that Canberra allowance.

      • No ONE on 24/07/2021 - 09:11

        Have you heard of Dave Sharma, a corrupt politicians with lots of insider trading.
        Like humblecat said, set the bar low.

      • sund00bie on 27/07/2021 - 08:41

        ummmm, check out the state member for Coffs harbour ;) - Mr Gurmesh Singh

  • sempro on 22/07/2021 - 15:46
    +11

    can you work as a 'pharmacist' in a hospital and not retail?

    • Brokedog on 22/07/2021 - 15:58

      I’m convinced making the transition to hospital work is too hard :(

      • charzy on 22/07/2021 - 15:59
        +23

        Worth it though. Career path to senior levels (grade 5ish) is 100k+ as well as benefits.

        • SydStrand on 22/07/2021 - 19:17
          +2

          How many hospital pharmacist jobs are out there? Or research/industry? From what I've heard, the vast majority of new grads end up taking retail jobs at Chemist Warehouse or the other chains, because that's where they are

          • charzy on 22/07/2021 - 19:21
            +5

            @SydStrand: It's competitive in hospital as they're mostly public hospitals with limited pharmacists positions.

            From my colleagues I used to keep in touch with, most (~75%) have moved onto post grad, hospital pharmacy, pharmaceutical companies or changed careers (including myself)

            the vast majority of new grads end up taking retail jobs at Chemist Warehouse or the other chains

            This is because those businesses run on volume and hiring cheap grads is a way to train cheap pharmacists….

            • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:47

              @charzy: Thanks for the stats of post grad opportunities. puts things into perspective. What did you end up moving on to?

              • charzy on 23/07/2021 - 10:36
                +11

                @Brokedog: Software engineering. I switched over when I was 28 so it's never too late.

      • morse on 22/07/2021 - 20:16
        +6

        Have a look at covid vacc opportunities eg

        https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-MSHEOC375040

        Most qld govie jobs are posted on smartjobs, so plug in pharmacist as a keyword and see what comes up

      • morse on 22/07/2021 - 20:19
        +3

        Or this one https://smartjobs.qld.gov.au/jobs/QLD-MSHEOC375669

        Also look at doing related studies concurrently - I did my postgrad whilst working on full scholarship, which made it a no brainer.

        • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:49

          Thanks, I'll check it out

        • covid-20 on 24/07/2021 - 12:47

          While working on full scholarship?

          • morse on 24/07/2021 - 13:05

            @covid-20: Sorry, my postgraduate fees were fully subsidised by a scholarship. I was also working at the time. There’s a fair few schemes out there where you can do postgrad at a very low cost, which I think is worthwhile if you’re not really clear what you want to do. If you pay high fees for a masters or similar it’s best to have a clear purpose or interest.

      • brad1-8tsi on 23/07/2021 - 09:12
        +5

        I’m convinced making the transition to hospital work is too hard :

        Change is always hard and sometimes you have to step backwards to go forwards. If you have the attitude of "too hard" then you'll still be selling panadol and bum cream in 20 years time.

        Have you considered becoming a drug rep. It used to be good money.

        • Xuaxace on 24/07/2021 - 20:22
          +1

          If it is anything like physiotherapy (public vs hospital) it is actually difficult to transition from one or another. I genuinly don't know anyone that has gone from private to public system after several years. The entry pathway in hospital work tends to be from graduate programs so it is hard to set a foot in the door otherwise

      • daowiies on 24/07/2021 - 01:22
        +3

        Considered military or prison pharmacy?

  • Big Lenny on 22/07/2021 - 15:48
    +63

    I remember a time when being a pharmacist was considered glamorous and prestigious (amongst the asian community)

    The reality once they got a role was standing on your feet all day, long hours only to earn $65k a year

    • Brokedog on 22/07/2021 - 15:57
      +64

      Yeah I’m Asian. This statement cuts deep

      • 87percent on 22/07/2021 - 16:21
        +10

        should have picked dentistry…

        • milanoxpress on 24/07/2021 - 20:14
          +5

          You think dentistry is all roses and sunshine. Dentistry had its peak prestigious, well paying at least 80K+, 101% success rate to obtain a FT job straight after graduation. Well that was up to 2009 period.
          Some dentist work multiple jobs PT at differently located dental surgeries. Well at least metro SYD, BNE, MEL, ADL, PER.
          No more cushy guaranteed full time hours after dental graduation.
          High gpa clinical theory marks, connections, friends Mum/dads owned practice connections will help you launch a full time job more easily.
          Or suck up really hard to your course coordinator/lecturer for a favourable reference.
          That’s life folks in health industry. Just my personal opinion of course spanning at least 10 years industry chit chat facts.
          Not just dentistry, but it also applies to medicine, pharmacy, optometry, oral therapist/hygienist, nursing, podiatry, physiotherapy, paramedic, speech pathology, occupational therapy, radiation therapist/medical imaging, dental tech/prostho et al. Did I miss any occupations?

          But above all, who ever has the most money $ talks all over these occupations. They employ these health industry graduates and the like. Just my personal opinion. I might be wrong about this. Correct me, if I offended anyone on this.

          At least 10 dental schools in Australia alone. Each year pumps out at least 700 to 900 fresh graduates and most of them wanting to work metro locations. Fierce competition awaiting.

      • ozbjunkie on 23/07/2021 - 15:38
        +4

        How competitive is pharmacy?
        Tutoring privately at a tertiary level can be surprisingly well paid, 50 to 100 per hour, more if you feel comfortable charging more.

        But only if you're in a competitive field or one with heaps of undergrads.

    • Mokr on 22/07/2021 - 16:00
      +2

      for the amount of study yeah not worth it, might as well be a teacher

    • sauce2k on 23/07/2021 - 17:17
      +24

      I never knew pharmacist only earn 65k that’s not right

    • macrocephalic on 23/07/2021 - 17:32
      +2

      This is amusing because I shared a house with a few pharmacy students and they worked hard at uni. I'm hardly a high career acheiver, but I'm certainly not standing all day for $65k.

      • matt-ozb on 26/07/2021 - 01:28
        -1

        They take so long to process a script, why don't they sit for that step?

    • mauricem on 24/07/2021 - 22:41

      I was teaching IT in 2000 at a private RTO, pretty well every class had a couple of asian pharmacy grads desperate to get out of the profession and into IT. Mind you this was pretty well peak boom time for any sort of IT grad.

  • tsunamisurfer on 22/07/2021 - 15:59
    +38

    I’m tired of being on my knees for the boss

    I would hope this pays more than $36 / hour.

    • DashCam AKA Rolts on 22/07/2021 - 16:21
      +26

      $20 is $20.

      • StarvingOat on 23/07/2021 - 18:40

        You're a goddamn genius

        Harvard would like to know your location!

    • Hangryuman on 27/07/2021 - 12:17

      are you saying they might have blown their main chance ?

      take this job and shove it ?

  • PissLUR on 22/07/2021 - 16:00
    +4

    my sister is now working at a franchise. she seems to be happier and learning more.

    • kaitoivan on 23/07/2021 - 17:53
      +8

      Franchise like Macca's?

      • Munki on 25/07/2021 - 03:07

        She gets all the nuggets. Who's laughing now?!

  • Mokr on 22/07/2021 - 16:01
    +11

    I don’t want to go back to study nor am I particularly determined enough to take up a trade.

    you seem depressed,

  • netjock on 22/07/2021 - 16:03
    +2

    With COVID19 and working from home taking off a lot more manual jobs in such field as logistics. Being a pharmacist getting to warehouse supervisor probably won't be hard, plus you are indoors most of the time.

    • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:50

      Ill look into it

    • matt-ozb on 26/07/2021 - 15:59

      Geezz … really hit rock bottom with a warehouse supervisor …

      Maybe a role at the Macca's drive-thru and work your way to Store Manager.

      • netjock on 26/07/2021 - 16:05
        +1

        You'll find warehouse supervisor at a unioned site would make a lot more than store manager at MacDonalds. You'll be surprised how much these guys could make with a high school qualification.

        Otherwise go and be a table dealer at the Casino. They start at $70k (that was back in 2010 when I got told, probably a lot more now).

        Or as always be a FIFO worker. 70k to work at MacDonalds.

        • fishsquared on 27/07/2021 - 09:26

          I have friends who are/were table dealers (and one who was the venue manager at a casino). I think that $70k mark might be based on a full-time load or working overtime/night-shifts. The work is mostly shift work so it'd end up being left to chance (or how much the people who give shifts out like you) how much money you can make.

  • abuch47 on 22/07/2021 - 16:15
    +3

    join your state gov health department.

  • arkie0 on 22/07/2021 - 16:16
    +48

    There was this one guy named Walter White with a similar skill set who had a side gig that made a lot of money

    • SBOB on 23/07/2021 - 07:45
      +28

      So you're suggesting he buys a car wash?

      • Munki on 25/07/2021 - 03:08
        +2

        You're goddamn right.png

  • jv on 22/07/2021 - 16:18

    Uber Eats driver….

    Nice troll post by the way…

    • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:54
      +2

      Haha, worded as a troll post but definitely looking for advice

        • [Deactivated] on 23/07/2021 - 19:05

          I wouldn't be happy earning that money for that degree, I know factory workers making 55k a year with no OT.

          • Icecold5000 on 25/07/2021 - 23:25

            @[Deactivated]: Yeah but its what they DESERVE. Its funny to see someone so desperate to change their lives yet are so determined to make no effort to do so. Absolutely pathetic. I am convinced the OP will be doing the same job in 10 years time.

          • Mr Haj on 26/07/2021 - 11:51

            @[Deactivated]: factory workers can earn a lot more than 55k… 100 is not out of the ordinary for experienced factory workers without any formal qualifications.

  • fungi79 on 22/07/2021 - 16:20
    +8

    My brother was in a similar situation as you a few years ago, but he was already managing a pharmacy in his late 20s.

    My advice to him was to jump out of his comfort zone, out of the shadow of the franchise store owner he was working for, and take on the management of a struggling store with a view of buying a share in the future (partly for a share of the profit but also partly to futureproof his job). Within a short time he turned the store around and is now a part owner. He's doing pretty well for himself now.

    You have to decide if you want to put the work in or not, but a career in pharmacy can be very lucrative if you work hard and make the right moves.

    • SydStrand on 22/07/2021 - 19:07
      +37

      a career in pharmacy can be very lucrative if you work hard and make the right moves.

      Until Chemist Warehouse's grand opening down the road..

      • tryagain on 24/07/2021 - 12:41

        Last I checked, pharmacy's are highly regulated, can't open one within a certain KM of another etc.

        • aleayr on 24/07/2021 - 17:22

          Did not know that. Interested in how that works in shopping centres where there are multiple pharmacists within a stroll of each other? Maybe there's allowed to be a couple?

          Regardless, our nearest Chemist Warehouse opened and changed our shopping habits even though it's not in the local shopping complex. It's about 1km away, but it's still very easy to drop in and get what you need and I can't imagine that hasn't affected both other pharmacies already there even though it's not directly next door.

          • tryagain on 26/07/2021 - 00:18
            +1

            @aleayr: Yeah, there is an exemption for large shopping centres. Google "pharmacy location rules" for more info on the rules.

        • Sitri on 24/07/2021 - 17:47

          I live on South coast NSW. There are 2 pharmacies facing eachother on the main Street here so what's this about not being able to build within certain KM

          • tryagain on 26/07/2021 - 00:19

            @Sitri: Look up the "pharmacy location rules" there are some exemptions.

        • SydStrand on 24/07/2021 - 18:34

          I know of two local pharmacies that have withered because of Chemist Warehouse. Thing is, they don't even need to literally be down the road to suck up all the business in your postcode (and maybe surrounding postcodes).

  • Ghost47 on 22/07/2021 - 16:24

    Industry?

  • contrafibularities on 22/07/2021 - 16:33
    +6

    Get a job with BIG pharma?

    • UNO on 23/07/2021 - 18:04

      Doing what?

      • pformag on 26/07/2021 - 16:34
        +2

        Pharmacy

        • Hangryuman on 27/07/2021 - 12:19

          or - keep the sound - but get a boat and change to salmon farming

          'farm a sea' ?

  • Hardlyworkin on 22/07/2021 - 17:31
    +7

    Drug sales rep.

    • Brokedog on 22/07/2021 - 18:04
      +2

      No trolls please

  • dust on 22/07/2021 - 18:14
    +1

    Learn to code?

    • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:56
      +16

      I can’t read

  • sahh on 22/07/2021 - 18:18
    +5

    I thought most Asians studied pharmacy in the hope of owning a pharmacy one day? I have no idea what that entails though

    • Brokedog on 23/07/2021 - 07:57
      +4

      The gov limits the amount of pharmacies in a certain area + licensing is very expensive. So opening up in a metro area is almost impossible

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