How to Combat Job Market Saturation

LyView Large Image Figure ViewerDownload Hi-res image Download (PPT) One of the main obstacles student pharmacists face is the challenge of finding the right job after graduation, which is partially caused by market saturation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, there is an estimated 3% decline in pharmacist employment between 2019 and 2029. However, the pharmacy profession is an ever-evolving health care field that continues to strive for accessible patient care. With numerous practice areas to choose from, student pharmacists find themselves with a learner’s cup filled to the brim with opportunities—they should seize those moments for their growth and get the most out of their pharmacy education. Pharmacy school is the best time to develop and immerse in a range of experiences that will position future graduates to be well-rounded leaders and future health professionals. Schools and colleges of pharmacies across the country develop resources to provide the tools needed to be equipped to prepare for the rigorous curriculum and develop the soft skills through cocurricular and extracurricular activities. Colleges have the distinct responsibility to guide student pharmacists in the process where they are able to position themselves to be prepared for postgraduate opportunities. At the University of Florida (UF) College of Pharmacy, this is no exception. The college consists of one main campus in Gainesville and 2 satellite campuses in Jacksonville and Orlando. To consolidate resources that are accessible to UF students, the college created a website that highlights current job, residency, fellowship listings open to students, career showcase events, and application preparation materials such as templates for curriculum vitae or resume and letter of intent. There are guides from various reputable professors and speakers on how to excel in the interview process. Specific to the residency process, there are many residency-prep resources such as curated videos to guide students through the steps of how to acquire and thrive in a residency. Many schools and colleges of pharmacies that have a similar resource available to student pharmacists to help them prepare to effectively network and apply for and interview for jobs and internships. American Pharmacists Association–Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA–ASP) works to help student pharmacists be a competitive candidate and the transition to becoming a new practitioner. APhA–ASP structure and programming uniquely supply opportunities for student pharmacists to gain a competitive edge. There are a plethora of experiences available to members in the areas of leadership, professional development, and policy opportunities. The leadership opportunities within APhA–ASP are unmatched with local, regional, and national leadership positions available that are listed on pharmacist.com. Being elected to a regional or national officer position within the association is just one way that leadership can set apart a candidate. APhA–ASP invests a lot of leadership training into its regional and national officers, and these skills are applicable to many fields. Postgraduate training often requires an interview, and the experiences that leaders within the academy enjoy help them stand out among other candidates. Regional and national leaders help plan conferences, develop and debate policies relevant to pushing the profession forward, and connect to student pharmacists from around the country. APhA–ASP offers numerous meetings and webinars that provide students the opportunity to truly expand their network. Meetings such as the APhA–ASP Summer Leadership Institute and APhA–ASP Midyear Regional Meetings are developed specifically for student pharmacists. Other meetings such as APhA Annual Meeting and Exposition and the APhA Institute for Substance Use Disorders are attended by pharmacists, giving student pharmacists the chance to expand their network further. Pharmacy truly is a small world, and that network helps to set candidates apart as they search for postgraduation opportunities. Advocacy opportunities available through APhA–ASP are unique experiences that sets the academy apart from other organizations. The policy process begins at the individual member, and any member may develop a policy to then be worked up into both the APhA–ASP and the APhA House of Delegates (HoD). Every chapter gets a delegate in the APhA–ASP HoD, where resolutions are debated and voted upon. Student pharmacists that serve as regional and national officers also have a voice in the APhA HoD; their voice affects pharmacy policy but also ensures that resolutions passed are including student pharmacist. Being a delegate in either HoD is a great learning experience exclusive to APhA. All in all, there are a multitude of ways that a student pharmacist can participate and facilitate their own professional and personal growth to avoid the market saturation. Pharmacy has so many traditional and nontraditional paths that allow student pharmacists to build their career any way they choose. The market might seem saturated in the traditional sense. However, pharmacists have been entering nontraditional fields such as functional medicine, consulting, pharmacogenomics, and so many other areas to carve out their own space in the profession. The market saturation may be a problem when the path is linear, so it is important to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and be willing to engage in any opportunity that may arise. Student pharmacists should look deeper into all the resources that pharmacy school has available, reach out to faculty and career coaches, actively engage at their APhA–ASP chapter, and use their network—peers, faculty, organization leaders, etc.—to guide them along the way. Create value in the work that you do and always strive to be the best pharmacist that you can be for your patients, no matter the practice setting that you are in. This is what will help market saturation because pharmacists will find the niche they love and not just be completing a job to have a job. Sidrah Alam, Final-Year Student Pharmacist, Shenandoah University Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy, Winchester, VA, National Member at Large, 2021-2022 APhA–ASP Shirly Ly, Third-Year Student Pharmacist, University of Florida College of Pharmacy, Gainesville, FL; Member, 2021-2022 APhA–ASP National Standing Committee on Communications