Pharmacy students' perceptions of postgraduate pharmacy residency programs and job outlook in an economic recession—Phase I

ObjectiveTo determine student preference for postgraduate residency training and career choices during an economic recession.MethodsA two-phase cross-sectional survey was administered to fourth-year pharmacy students at a suburban university campus in May 2010 and February 2011. The survey was designed to gather information on demographics and career aspirations in the current economic recession. Data collection and analysis were performed using descriptive statistics.ResultsPhase I results are reported. One-hundred sixty-eight students participated. More than 80% of respondents believed that their ability to find employment has been adversely affected by the current economic downturn. Approximately 10% of students who indicated a desire to find employment after graduation reported having signed a contract. To improve their chances of finding employment, 40% of students reported a willingness to make concessions. Less than 30% of the students indicated an interest in pursuing a second degree or pharmacy residency program. Approximately 53% of these students indicated that the decision to pursue a pharmacy residency was not influenced by the economy, whereas 47% of these students reported their interest was because of the tight pharmacist job market.ConclusionsStudents indicated that they will make compromises in their career choices as a result of the recession. Because of the economy and current job market in the Chicagoland area, students may have an increased interest in residency programs.