Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
September 29, 2021
Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market.
Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.
We spoke to professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the job market for recent graduates is heading, as well as how young graduates entering the industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
Our Panel of Experts
Lipscomb University
University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Butler University
University of Connecticut
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Marshall University
American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy
University of Central Florida
Ashland University
University of Connecticut
Chapman University
Austin Community College
Chapman University
Campbell University
What skills stand out on Pharmacist resumes?
Chad Gentry: Numerous skills stand out on a pharmacist's resume. The specific skills that stand out to a potential employer will be practice setting dependent. However, three skills that are translational across practice settings are additional training and education. While obtaining a doctor of pharmacy will open numerous career opportunities and advancement within organizations, the addition of some level of training/education beyond the doctor of pharmacy could aid in obtaining that dream job. First, post-graduate training is a big differentiator. Whether this training consists of one or two residencies and/or a fellowship, additional training is always a positive, and invaluable skills are gained from this dedicated time. Secondly, formal additional education pursuit or achievement is a valuable skill. Additional degrees at the master's or doctoral level or unique certifications will also reflect a skill set that will garner attention on a pharmacist's resume. Finally, the willingness to serve others in various capacities (e.g., mission trips, volunteering opportunities, community service, etc.) gives insight into the compassionate element needed to be a pharmacist.
What soft skills should all Pharmacists possess?
Chad Gentry: From my perspective, the most important soft skills are evidence of successful team collaboration, leadership experience, ethical decision-making, critical thinking, and good communication skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Pharmacists?
Chad Gentry: The list of hard/technical skills that are most important from my perspective is obviously the tangible evidence of quantifiable knowledge or abilities gained through completing a doctorate in pharmacology, additional degrees, certificates, or examples of work. Another extremely important hard/technical skill is at minimum proficiency in computer skills.
What skills will help Pharmacists earn the most?
Chad Gentry: I keep going back to education through degrees, certifications, and/or training. For example, additional skills in healthcare informatics is a field in pharmacy that has experienced tremendous growth over the past several years with exponential growth forecasted.
Dawn Havrda
Associate Dean For Academic Affairs and AssessmentUniversity of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis
Pharmacy Department
What skills stand out on Pharmacist resumes?
Dawn Havrda: Ability to multitask. For students, maintaining good grades, involvement in organizations or dual-degree programs (PharmD/MBA, PharmD/MPH, etc.), work/internships. Also, self-directed activities such as research, summer internships, or other opportunities, that show career exploration or personal growth. For pharmacists, additional training (degrees or certificates), leadership, breadth of experiences, board certification, etc. Items that show the individual went beyond others to improve their skills set and diversify.
What soft skills should all Pharmacists possess?
Dawn Havrda: Definitely problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovative thinking. You want individuals who are professional and advocate for the patient's wishes and the best care. Empathy, being nonjudgmental, and communication are important, as are prioritization and efficiency. Want individuals who pose solutions to problems, not just identify the problem. Positivity is needed and the ability to see the good in a situation versus only the bad.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Pharmacists?
Dawn Havrda: Computer skills and knowledge of technological advances. Business sense and management skills. Marketing skills to adapt to the needed stakeholder is important.
What skills will help Pharmacists earn the most?
Dawn Havrda: The use of the skills above should help an individual be strategic. A good understanding of the healthcare system, especially billing and compensation and what a pharmacist is able to do per the state's scope of practice, allows individuals to transform problems into new opportunities, novel services, and innovative approaches to tackle health care or patient care problems that leverage the skills and unique expertise of the pharmacist.
Dr. Yen Dang
Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Director of Global HealthUniversity of Maryland Eastern Shore
Pharmacy Department
What skills stand out on Pharmacist resumes?
Dr. Yen Dang: Past pharmacy experience in the related pharmacy setting definitely helps the candidate to adjust to the job. Additionally, good clinical skills and communication skills help separate candidates from the crowd.
What soft skills should all Pharmacists possess?
Dr. Yen Dang: Teamwork and communication skills are key. Most pharmacists are team members, sometimes even the team leaders, and they need to work well with other pharmacists, technicians, and healthcare professionals to get the job done. Excellent communication skills help avoid confusion and conflict, especially if you communicate to providers to correct medication errors.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Pharmacists?
Dr. Yen Dang: Being detail-oriented is essential as pharmacists have to catch mistakes all the time. Also, multitasking is often needed as there are many distractions in the pharmacy between order entry, phone calls, dispensing, etc.
What skills will help Pharmacists earn the most?
Dr. Yen Dang: Adaptability is a great trait to have as it will let you adjust to different and changing environments. Also, being a self-directed learner where you can be in charge of your own professional development is essential. There are always new drugs and evolving guidelines, so pharmacists need to be up-to-date with that.
Vraj Patel
Medication Error Pharmacovigilance and Risk Management FellowButler University
Pharmacy Practice
What skills stand out on Pharmacist resumes?
Vraj Patel: -Adaptability - being flexible has been key during COVID, and with multiple interviews and projects
-Critical thinking/independence - someone that can analyze a problem and work independently to solve problems/projects
-Proactive and self-motivated - This is probably the one that most people are looking for. For example: when someone sees a problem, they come up with a potential solution that they then bring to their manager
-Followership - has been very important and a growing trend we have noticed.
What soft skills should all Pharmacists possess?
Vraj Patel: -Same as above plus these 2 below:
-Communication skills - learning to have critical conversations with other healthcare professionals, patients, co-workers are vital to be successful
-Personable - very important as a pharmacist as you will be seeing many patients if in a clinical setting, and it is important to be able to connect with your patients
What hard/technical skills are most important for Pharmacists?
Vraj Patel: -Clinical knowledge - pharmacists will shine in clinical knowledge and can bring a lot about drug knowledge to the table
-Understanding insurances and payer markets - many times, people rely on the pharmacist to understand this confusing world of insurances and a place where pharmacists can shine
Understanding pharmacy law - other healthcare professionals usually do not have to take a law exam, so this is unique to pharmacists within the pharmacy/drug space, especially since the pharmacy laws change in every state.
What skills will help Pharmacists earn the most?
Vraj Patel: -Data analytics - this is something newer that is being introduced, but as big data grows, I believe it is very important to understand the big data and analyze it. Something pharmacists can bring to the table to help them earn more.
-Understanding pharmacoeconomics - As drugs get more expensive, this is very important. The intersection between business, healthcare, medication access, and understanding medicine value
-Networking - people always say that "pharmacy is a small world," and time and time again, I have personally seen this with networking.
What general advice would you give to a Pharmacist?
Stephanie Gernant: Don't confuse What You Do with Who You Are. Our society, unfortunately, highly correlates profession with identity (go to any party and eventually someone will ask 'and what do you do for a living?'), but your value as a human being is so, so much more than just your capacity 'to do work.'
There is no such thing as a 'Forever Job.' Quite the contrary, the average worker remains in their entry-level job only a few years. Even if by some remarkable felicity a new graduate landed what they believed their 'perfect job,' (yet another myth)-- that job will never remain the 'same job' because healthcare, people, and industries are volatile. We all start somewhere, and you, too, will move and grow throughout your career.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Pharmacists in the next 3-5 years?
Stephanie Gernant: Without a doubt, we're going to see much more virtual-care and telecommuting. This means more of both asynchronous and synchronous digital collaboration among remotely-located members of interdisciplinary teams, including pharmacists. COVID disrupted how we deliver health services, and these trends will likely remain a staple.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Pharmacists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Stephanie Gernant: Over the last three decades, U.S. workers' have experienced salary stagnation compared to inflation, despite gains in both productivity and GDP. We know that, on average, workers receive higher pay advances when they change jobs or switch employers than if they remain in a position or are internally promoted. So, while the previous generation regularly spent entire careers within a single company, this is a rarity today. This change is due, in part, to the fact that industries change much more quickly today; jobs come and go; relevant trends one decade are replaced with new trends that require novel skill-sets.
This is certainly true for healthcare, and as such, pharmacists have better salary prospects throughout their career than most other healthcare professionals. Specifically, pharmacists experienced a cataclysmic shift in professional identity beginning in the 1990s: in the wake of closing 'mom and pop pharmacies,' pharmacists had to re-imagine and diversify their roles. As such, pharmacists have a leg up with a developed professional culture already adept and flexible in meeting future needs. I have no doubt in the profession's ability to continue matching the ever-variable needs of healthcare and the prospects for future generations of pharmacists.
What general advice would you give to a Pharmacist?
Michael J. Avaltroni Ph.D.: The best advice we typically offer is to keep all options open. Pharmacy careers are diverse and quickly evolving in both types of opportunities and the scope of areas where pharmacists are having an impact. Many times, students come in assuming they know what they want to do, so they focus their attention on a key area, overlooking others that might suit them better or provide more opportunities for growth and advancement. A pharmacy degree is portable and can be used in a wide array of patient care areas. Students should be open to looking for what fits their interests and passions best and not be afraid to take a chance, knowing that there is always an opportunity for movement and growth in the profession.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Pharmacists in the next 3-5 years?
Michael J. Avaltroni Ph.D.: I think that telehealth and virtual visits will impact health professions greatly, as we have seen already amidst the drastic changes during the current pandemic. Pharmacists and other health providers should be preparing to deliver their services through widely varied means, including a significant increase in technological means to deliver patient care.
How would you rate the starting salaries for Pharmacists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Michael J. Avaltroni Ph.D.: Starting salaries for pharmacists are typically among the highest of any profession, with averages exceeding $125k per year, and the unemployment rate for pharmacists has been perennially very low. The salary structure provides a great opportunity for new graduates, and there is room for growth and advancement in every area of pharmacy, from community retail to hospital to industry. Upward mobility exists in many areas of practice, and the prospect for expanded leadership roles in pharmacy and healthcare practice should serve the profession well in promoting additional growth opportunities.
What experience really stands out on Pharmacist resumes?
Gayle A. Brazeau Ph.D.: Three types of experience stand out on resumes.
a.First, work experience in the field of pharmacy indicates you know how to work with patients, other health care professionals, and your colleagues. Some non-pharmacy work history, however, may also be helpful if it includes experience working directly with the public or working as a team to provide a public service.
b.Second, leadership and advocacy experiences (through professional organizations, for example) demonstrate your commitment to staying informed and forward-thinking in your field.
c. Third, community service. Resumes that include examples of how you give back highlight your passion and dedication.
How do you envision technology impacting Pharmacists in the next 5 years?
Gayle A. Brazeau Ph.D.: Technology is affecting how we provide personalized care and medication therapy management to our patients and their families. We will continue to see less dependence on pharmacies, simply providing medications and more need for consultations and education. Pharmacy graduates have skill sets that can serve a variety of settings, including retail pharmacies, medical clinics, and the pharmaceutical industry. Within all of these settings, technology will continue to affect how we interact with patients and colleagues. Telehealth formats, for example, may bridge the gap where healthcare access is a challenge.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Gayle A. Brazeau Ph.D.: Graduates should focus on applying what they have learned about adapting to unforeseen challenges. Community pharmacists, especially, can model the importance of balancing physical and mental well-being, personal and professional responsibilities, and individual and community health.
What type of skills will young Pharmacists need?
Lucinda L. Maine Ph.D.: Increasingly, the marketplace will be seeking graduates who not only possess a rich body of knowledge about medications and how they work but skills that encompass entrepreneurial and innovation abilities. Clearly, the world is changed by the pandemic, and health care is certainly changing. Telehealth is actually not new to the pharmacy as much of the clinical component of our profession's work can be delivered using digital and telephonic tools. A great example is pharmacists monitoring patients on blood thinners or anticoagulants. There are practices such as Kaiser and the Veterans Administration, where pharmacists follow hundreds of patients taking warfarin, and they are able to develop strong and trusting relationships using technology. Strong communication skills are also essential, especially for pharmacists working in interprofessional teams in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, and other practice settings.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pharmacists to find work opportunities?
Lucinda L. Maine Ph.D.: I think prospective students should realize that those cities and communities with one or more colleges or schools of pharmacy tend to be fairly saturated in terms of open positions. More rural areas, while perhaps not a new graduate's first choice, hold promise. In addition, there are growing opportunities for pharmacists to work remotely for groups like Aspen Rx, which offers medication management services for a growing number of health plans and hires pharmacists to work from their homes, so geography is not an issue.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Lucinda L. Maine Ph.D.: We do believe the pandemic has made a difference for pharmacists and the profession. From the highest levels of the federal government and many states, emergency provisions allow pharmacists to provide COVID tests and, soon, to be on the frontlines of getting people vaccinated to blunt the virus. Our country can't recover without deploying the 360,000 pharmacists and student pharmacists who are prepared to administer vaccines in virtually every community across the U.S. Our pharmacy associations, at the state and national levels, are working to have this empowerment sustained, even after the emergency has lifted.
What type of skills will young Pharmacists need?
Dr. Kyle Riding Ph.D.: They will need to continue to develop strong technical skills to perform the testing required by medical laboratory scientists. Also, they need exceptional critical thinking skills to ensure quality assurance is the underpinning of all the tests they perform. Finally, the need for communication skills is more critical than ever. This is because the profession needs to become more consultative with our healthcare providers in their practices.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pharmacists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Kyle Riding Ph.D.: There is a need across the nation for certified medical laboratory scientists. While there are some small geographic differences in the market, no one is significantly better than the other.
How do you envision technology impacting Pharmacists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Kyle Riding Ph.D.: Technology is going to continue having a significant influence on the profession over the next five years. As automation becomes more sophisticated and incorporates small amounts of A.I., the laboratory professional can become more focused on Quality Assurance activities and consultative practice listed above.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Dr. Paul Hyman Ph.D.: I think the greatest impact on students graduating this year or next year will be that their final years of education will have been more limited in experiences. There are fewer opportunities for internships, job shadowing, and other experiences that require face-to-face interactions. They have not disappeared, but there are clearly fewer of them, and some of those are virtual rather than in-person. We recently had an event when students presented their experiences with summer internships, and two of the four presentations were by students who did virtual internships that normally would have been in-person.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pharmacists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Paul Hyman Ph.D.: Jobs in pharmacology should continue to be found across the country. These jobs range from working in pharmacies (with the correct license and advanced degree) to working in research labs. Like most careers, there are more jobs in urban areas than rural areas, and graduates who are able to move to where the job is will have an easier time finding a job than a graduate who wants to stay in a specific area. I don't see that the pandemic will have much effect on this.
How do you envision technology impacting Pharmacists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Paul Hyman Ph.D.: This really isn't my area of expertise, but I would expect, as with many professions, there will be increasing use of electronic records, especially for those in medical areas of pharmacology. The pandemic may cause a shift from local pharmacies to more centralized mail-out facilities.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Kathleen Adams: The coronavirus pandemic has pushed all employers and industries to re-evaluate their previous practices. Our new graduates will be the second group of young pharmacists to work as healthcare professionals in this new era. Early in their careers, the jobs that they accept may look different than the jobs under which they trained during their clinical rotations.
For example, outpatient pharmacists are being integrated into telehealth services, inpatient pharmacists may spend time virtually rounding, and industry jobs that previously required domestic travel are likely moving more virtual. In the community setting, the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in pharmacists being added as providers in certain states, and community pharmacies have been utilized as Point of Care testing sites.
We have learned that great work can be accomplished virtually, but as the pandemic subsides, face-to-face counseling will likely find its place once again. In the meantime, pharmacists have earned an important and even more respected role in our health care system.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pharmacists to find work opportunities?
Kathleen Adams: I think new graduates should remain optimistic and understand that they can still find a job anywhere; there are many new pathways our Pharm.D. graduates are heading into: community pharmacies, labs, hospitals, research and discovery, long-term care, pharmaceutical industry, medical writing, and more.
In addition, many Pharm.D. graduates are specializing in emergency or cancer pharmacy, as examples. New graduates shouldn't be afraid to travel and should keep their minds open to new experiences. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for pharmacists is expected to change little or not at all between 2018 and 2028.
How do you envision technology impacting Pharmacists in the next 5 years?
Kathleen Adams: One of the biggest areas of technological growth I have seen in recent months is the expansion of telehealth services. I believe that this service will continue to grow and that there is an opportunity for pharmacists to be more involved in this aspect of care.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Dr. Jelena Lewis: This is a difficult question to answer because there are so many unknowns. I would speculate that the graduates may have initial difficulty finding jobs, much like in the past, when there was an economic downturn, and it may take longer to find a job as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Also, pharmacy laws and regulations are rapidly changing, and pharmacists' roles in healthcare are expanding, especially when it comes to providing direct patient care. As a result, this may create more job opportunities. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that regardless of the circumstances, standing out as an applicant and networking are always going to be key in being successful in the job search.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pharmacists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jelena Lewis: My advice to graduates regarding finding work opportunities is to network as much as they can! Ideally, networking should start early on in pharmacy school and continue throughout one's career in pharmacy. Two really great resources to find work opportunities after graduation are CareerPharm through the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the American Pharmacists Association Career Center.
How do you envision technology impacting Pharmacists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jelena Lewis: Technology has already had an enormous impact on the field of pharmacy, as a result of the pandemic, and it is here to stay. Services like telehealth have been rapidly implemented at the beginning of the pandemic in order to provide patient care, and I do not see these types of visits going away, even after the pandemic. In addition, we may see things like contactless prescription deliveries or after-hours automated medication dispensing and counseling. These are just a few examples of how technology may impact our field in the next five years. All in all, technology has been very impactful in the healthcare field in general, and I do not see it going away any time soon. If anything, it will continue to expand its role in helping deliver care.
Richard Espinosa Ph.D.
Department Chair for Allied Health Sciences, Pre-Health Sciences, and Pre-Med.Austin Community College
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What general advice would you give to a Pharmacist?
Richard Espinosa Ph.D.: Austin Community College was affected by Covid-19 in the training of program students during the spring 2020 semester. ACC did everything it could with research and guidance from the local, state, and federal governments to ensure student safety at the forefront of the training. This training resumed this summer semester by putting protocols in place to keep students and instructors safe. This involved retraining our techniques in showing students skills with the new "normal" we are experiencing. With the skills that have been ingrained in our students since day 1 of our courses, students will be more than ready to enter the workforce, once they complete their degree in one of our health science programs. ACC teaches and uses the latest technology to ensure students are prepared to work, once they start their careers in health care. Utilizing technology in health care, like virtual doctor visits and contactless transactions, makes everyone feel safe, healthy, and efficient, particularly during these stressful times. I think because of the pandemic, we are raising the bar to teach in ways we have not thought of before for our graduates to show mastery of their skill being taught, and for the patients to receive the best possible care. New graduates will realize the impact and value of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), especially when working closely with their patients because they will know its significance. Our graduates will be better prepared to stop and prevent the spread of Covid-19, due to the higher standards being practiced during their training, and being safe in our world of learning their medical skills. ACC will continue to produce highly qualified graduates who are ready to enter the healthcare workplace.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Dr. Jeff Goad: I don't think there will be an enduring effect beyond the pandemic. Still, there certainly is one during the epidemic, mostly related to difficulties in placing students in hospitals to complete their training.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Pharmacists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Jeff Goad: If graduates are mobile, they'll always find opportunities around the country. One of the most significant growth areas for pharmacy graduates is in Ambulatory Care. Healthcare systems and health plans are beginning to realize the value of pharmacists managing patients' medication therapy needs and chronic health issues to provide the best health outcomes cost-effectively.
How do you envision technology impacting Pharmacists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Jeff Goad: Telepharmacy added to standard face-to-face care will likely endure, well past the pandemic, as it has proven to be a means of patient care that patients like, while giving providers the freedom to work from home.
What general advice would you give to a Pharmacist?
Antoine Al-Achi Ph.D.: The premise behind biomedical science is to provide knowledge and applications in areas that directly affect people's health and life. Thus, keeping that in their mind while doing their daily tasks is of utmost importance.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Pharmacists in the next 3-5 years?
Antoine Al-Achi Ph.D.: Developing new laboratory tests with high sensitivity and specificity for existing or new diseases. Perhaps, areas such as analytical chemistry and drug formulation will be of high demand shortly.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Pharmacists?
Antoine Al-Achi Ph.D.: Most of the graduates will work in the pharmaceutical industry or a closely related area. To that end, the emergence of new diseases will increase the demand for biomedical scientists in all fields related to healthcare.
