Written by Shristi N
Finding a part-time job whilst at university has been life changing. I have definitely had my fair share of troubles trying to balance work and study but now it is all smooth sailing.
Regardless of the balancing issues, I know it was one of the best things I can do for myself. Here is how I went about finding my ideal part-time job, how closely my current job is linked to my course, and how it helps me progress towards my future career plans.
My Searching Process
I currently study a Bachelor of Pharmacy and have no prior experience in the pharmacy industry. This and the fact that I am constantly between university and my hometown, I struggled to find a job in a pharmacy.
You quite literally always have to be on the search for a potential job:
- Networking:
I started by talking to my lecturers to see if they knew of any potential job openings. I even talked to my peers in class and on-campus accommodation.
I remember I talked to anyone and everyone because you never know where an opportunity might pop up. - Online Portals:
My main search was websites like Indeed and Seek but there is also LinkedIn. I set up job alerts to be sent to my email so that I would know when a job was posted. - Walk-Ins:
I have walked into every single pharmacy in the town where the university campus is located and asked if they had any opportunities. I handed in my resume and had a quick chat to the hiring manger.
Relevance to my Coursework
As I said above, I currently study a Bachelor of Pharmacy and I am very fortunate to work in a pharmacy. It has allowed to me to practice applying my coursework to patient care within the jurisdiction of a pharmacy student (of course).
I love networking with the current pharmacists as well as customers. Finally, I also understand the pharmacy profession a lot better now that I am working in one.
Progression towards my Future Career Plan
My current future career plan is to become the best medical health professional I can be.
Both the coursework and working in the industry lets me gain experience and establish what my ethics, morals, values, strengths, and weaknesses are as a pharmacy student.
In turn, it then gives me time and real-world examples on who I do not want to be as a future pharmacist.
I ‘simply’ go about studying and working with the mindset that I will one day have a patient’s life in my hands.
If you’re looking for a job, look at the Charles Sturt Careers portal here.
Or access the Charles Sturt Jobs Board, click here.
