Isn't going to school enough work as it is? But there are so many great organizations and opportunities to become a part of. Obviously I am PAL and enjoy being able to have the opportunity to provide tons of useful information to my fellow students. Besides being a PAL I am also a part of the Pre-Pharmacy Informational Learning & Leadership Society (PILLS). Being a member of PILLS provides great opportunities to better understand the field of pharmacy. They offer tons of great informational sessions on pharmacy school pre-requisites and applications, along with how to get experience in a pharmacy setting. Everyone at the meetings is really friendly, welcoming, and always willing to help provide answers to questions about pre-req classes and info on where they are volunteering/working at. Come by the first general meeting on Wed 9/20/06 at 7pm in 145 Dwinelle and check out the website.

Besides these CAL related programs, I also work as a Pharmacy Technician on the weekends. I have two jobs, where I work at least 8 hours per week each (so 16 hours per week total). I work in the Inpatient Pharmacy at Children's Hospital in Oakland and at the Inpatient Pharmacy at Kaiser Permanente Vallejo. I've been a Tech for about one and half years, working at both jobs right out of Tech school. They both are really fun and offer lots of opportunities for learning. I basically do the same thing at both of my jobs. As an inpatient tech, I make IV hydration solutions, TPNs (nutrients and electrolytes administered IV), IV antibiotics, and dispense the oral meds needed by the patients in the hospital. It is very rewarding to know that the meds I am making are helping to save a person's life. I became a tech to get pharmacy experience and to make sure becoming a pharmacist is really the career for me. Being a tech has showed me more about what being a pharmacist is about and what opportunities are available for pharmacists besides entering orders and filling perscriptions. If anyone has any questions about becoming a tech or about what a tech does I am more than happy to answer any questions! Come by my office hours on Tuesdays from 1:30-3:30pm. See you soon!!